This Year, You May Want Both Red and White Poppies
What does it mean to wear a white poppy, and how does it relate to the traditional Remembrance Day red poppy?
OPINION
A reader asked me recently to share the origins of the White Poppy campaign. Frank Barningham, or Barney as he’s known by many, is a one-time recipient of the Owen Sound YMCA Peace Medal. You may have seen him in late October, at the corner of 10th St and 2nd Ave E in front of Channing’s, holding signs reading, “Ceasefire now” and “War is Not a Solution.”
I didn’t understand the origin or significance of white poppies before Barney brought it up. If you aren’t aware of this campaign, either, don’t worry – we’re learning about it together.
Multiple sources confirm that the White Poppy campaign originated twelve years after the Red Poppy campaign, in 1933 post-war England. It was an initiative launched by the Co-operative Women's Guild, many of whom had lost friends and family in World War I.
Red poppies have, since 1921, been a symbol of remembrance of those who fought in war. The red poppy grows wild in many parts of northern France and Belgium, where some of the deadliest WWI battles took place.
The Royal Canadian Legion’s ‘Poppy Protocol’ guides appropriate and respectful wearing, and advises:
The Poppy should be worn with respect on the left side, over the heart.
The Legion’s lapel Poppy is a sacred symbol of Remembrance and should not be affixed with any pin that obstructs the Poppy.
The lapel Poppy should be worn during the Remembrance period, from the last Friday in October until November 11.
The Legion encourages the wearing of Poppies at funerals of Veterans, and for any commemorative event such as a memorial service, or the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
It is not inappropriate to wear a Poppy during other times to commemorate Fallen Veterans and it is an individual choice to do so.
The red poppy, according to the Royal Canadian Legion, says: “To honour and remember.”
The white poppy, according to the Peace Pledge Union, says: “Never again.”
Neither is a political statement, although both have been dragged into political statements and positioning over the years.
The PPU elaborates on three things white poppies stand for:
The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace suggests we wear white poppies from September 21, the International Day of Peace, until December 10, International Human Rights Day. This is to commemorate all victims of war and acknowledge the relentless human and environmental damage warfare inflicts, their website states.
The PPU says white poppies are meant to be versatile, and can appear in wreaths and other ceremonial decorations as well as on clothing.
Peace Poppies Canada encourages us to remember civilians lost in war, as well. “I feel that a white poppy for civilians and a red poppy for veterans to commemorate those who died during war is appropriate, and should not be considered disrespectful and offensive to Veterans,” writes David Laskey, a Korean war veteran. “I think the white poppy is fitting for Remembrance Day, as the civilian casualties are as great a loss as those of the military personnel.”
People often make their own white poppies out of fabric, cardboard, felt, plastic or other materials. You can download templates here or here for printing or drawing your own on the material of your choice. Then, attach it to your clothing with a safety pin.
This Remembrance Day, you might choose to wear a red poppy to honour and remember Canada’s veterans – and a white poppy to say “never again” to the devastation of war.
These objectives are not mutually exclusive or competitive and unfortunately, are particularly timely in 2023.