This seems an appropriate image for today given that it’s Memorial Day here in the US. I took this during my last visit back to Scotland in November 2016. During a walk around George Square in Glasgow, I noticed some freshly-laid wreaths by the cenotaph. This one was placed by the Deputy First Minister of Scotland.
For the benefit of those outside the UK, veterans are remembered there on the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended the First World War on November 11th. On that day, everyone wears a poppy and these are sold in aid of veteran’s charities.
I had always known that the poppy was a symbol for WW1 because it grew in the fields around some of the worst battles of the war. The whole story, however, is even more fascinating (you can read it here). Apparently the common poppy, which is native to the Mediterranean area, grows widely around the world. Its seeds are known to lay dormant for up to 80 years only to germinate when the soil they are in is disturbed and this was the case following extended bombardments in the Flanders region where poppies sprung up amid the devastation.
For the technically inclined...