In the fields ravaged by the First World War, two fragile flowers rose as powerful symbols of memory and resilience: the cornflower and the poppy. Linked to the remembrance of soldiers fallen in battle, these blooms carry a moving history and continue to embody hope and reflection. In this article, we explore the history, symbolism, and cultural significance of cornflowers and poppies, while paying tribute to their role in commemorating the Great War. The choice of these flowers is not arbitrary; it relies on a symbolic and secret language of flowers.
The Poppy: The Red Flower of Remembrance
The poppy, with its delicate, vibrant red petals, has become one of the most universally recognized symbols of the First World War, particularly in English-speaking countries.
This flower owes its fame to the poem In Flanders Fields (1915), written by the Canadian military doctor John McCrae. In this poignant text, poppies are described as growing among the soldiers’ graves in the fields of Flanders, a region hard-hit by the fighting.
But why the poppy? This flower, able to thrive in soil churned up by shells, symbolizes life reborn amid destruction. After the battles, the devastated fields would blanket themselves in poppies, as if to remind us that beauty can emerge even in the darkest hours. In Commonwealth countries, the poppy is worn as a badge or pin on Remembrance Day (November 11), the anniversary of the Armistice.
This gesture honors not only the soldiers of the Great War but also those from all conflicts. In France, although the cornflower remains the primary symbol, the poppy is gaining popularity, particularly due to its universal appeal.
The Cornflower: France’s Emblem of Memory
In France, the cornflower is the emblematic flower of the First World War. Its story is every bit as moving as that of the poppy. The cornflower takes its name from the bleu horizon (horizon blue) color of French soldiers’ uniforms—those nicknamed the poilus (“hairy ones”). Like the poppy, it grew in the battle-ravaged fields, often side by side with its red cousin. The association of the cornflower with soldiers’ memory was formalized after the war by two nurses.
It is worn during commemorations, particularly on November 11, and supports the Œuvre Nationale du Bleuet de France. The cornflower embodies not only the memory of sacrifices but also the resilience and hope of a nation rebuilding itself after the horror.
Shared Symbolism: Memory and Resilience
Although the poppy and the cornflower are linked to different nations, they share a common symbolism: that of memory, resilience, and hope. These seemingly fragile flowers managed to thrive in extreme conditions, just as the soldiers endured the hell of the trenches. Their presence in the devastated fields also symbolizes nature’s ability to regenerate—a powerful metaphor for societies scarred by war. Today, these flowers continue to remind us of the importance of never forgetting the sacrifices of the past while looking toward a future of peace.
Des pétales pour ne pas oublier
Cornflowers and poppies are far more than mere flowers. They are the guardians of collective memory, symbols of hope and resilience born in the devastated fields of the First World War. In France and abroad, they invite us to remember the soldiers’ sacrifices while celebrating life that endures despite everything. This tribute is part of a long-standing tradition of rites and the symbolism of offerings.
