August birth flower · Papaver rhoeas
Poppy meaning & symbolism
The poppy stands for remembrance, imagination and peaceful sleep. Here's what each color means, where the flower comes from, and how to use it.
Poppy color meanings
- Red: remembrance
- White: peace
- Yellow: success
History & folklore
Red field poppies bloomed across the battlefields of Flanders in World War I, and John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" made them a symbol of remembrance. The Greeks and Romans linked them with sleep and dreams.
In birth flower charts it's paired with the gladiolus.
Fun facts
- Poppy seeds stay viable in the soil for decades and sprout when the ground is disturbed.
- Each crinkled flower lasts only a day or two.
As a tattoo
A red poppy with a dark center is bold and readable at any size. It is often used for memorial tattoos. See more August birth flower tattoo ideas.
August birth flower August birthstone
Poppy gifts
Poppy necklaces on Amazon →Poppy botanical prints on Amazon →We may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Questions, answered
What does a poppy symbolize?
The poppy symbolizes remembrance, imagination and peaceful sleep.
What month is the poppy birth flower?
Poppy is a birth flower for August.
What do poppy colors mean?
Red: remembrance; White: peace; Yellow: success.
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