Buried in the earth for as many as 80 years, the little
poppy seed can begin to grow with the touch of sunshine. What was once dormant
is suddenly brought to life as the soil gets disturbed and the sun is given
access to the seeds.
"Wild Poppies Near Argenteuil" by Claude Monet, 1875
This amazing phenomenon took place during World War I across
the countryside of Europe as troops marched, dug trenches and tore up the soil with
bullets and bombs. The harsh activities of war, like those in the famous
Flanders Fields, stood in stark contrast to the delicate beauty of the poppies
dotting the landscape. Because of the epic war time blooming, the flower is
often used a symbol of war and remembrance.
The flower did not go without symbolism prior to the 20th century war associations. They have also been used as a symbol of sleep and
death because the opium in the flower can act as a sedative. The Greeks and
Romans even used the poppy as an offering to the dead because of the eternal
sleep the flower could offer.
Artists like Van Gogh and Georgia O’Keefe immortalized the
poppy in paintings dating back to the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. O'Keefe's "Oriental Poppies" shown above from 1928 illustrates the vibrancy and delicacy of the petals, while Van Gogh's depiction showcases the ornamental nature of the blooms in a vase.
"Poppy Flowers" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1887
The Fendi Fall 2017 couture runway bloomed with the classic
red corn poppy, as well as shades of blue, yellow, black, white and beige.
The
rainbow of poppies adorned the dresses, adding color and texture. The
embroidery and embellishments removed any need for jewelry since they served as
an automatic form of adornment.
"Vase with Red Poppies" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1886
The beauty of the flowers on these runway designs is
undeniable. The mix of colors even lends itself to a carefree mood.
But with the poppy’s long history as an opiate and symbol of
war and death, there is a perhaps an underlying message to these designs. As
turmoil and threats of war continually pop up in global headlines, now may be
the opportune time to pay homage to historic war losses by using poppies.
Though beautiful, the blooms are laced with a warning of eternal sleep that
comes from the numbing power of its opiates...and from death. And so the blood
red poppies give way to white, a symbol of peace and rest.
Hidden among the delicate petals of these poppies comes the reminder of mankind's fragility, but also the promise of rest. In the confines of the dark soil and circumstances, just a dash of sunshine can bring a seed to life with the opportunity for new blooms and peace.
Hidden among the delicate petals of these poppies comes the reminder of mankind's fragility, but also the promise of rest. In the confines of the dark soil and circumstances, just a dash of sunshine can bring a seed to life with the opportunity for new blooms and peace.
