Poppy Flower Meaning - Symbolism Behind This Iconic Bloom
罂粟花的含义——这种标志性花朵背后的象征意义

Poppy flowers are iconic! Those often bright red petals with their delicate black centers are the perfect blend of vivid beauty and rich history. Not to mention their role in their aspects like literature and medicine. One may, therefore, ask what is the meaning of the poppy flower. What draws people to poppies? Is it the look, the symbolism, or something else? Regardless of their draw, charm, mysterious allure, or meaning, these flowers' vibrant colors and ephemeral nature have seen them inspire many people for centuries. From artists, poets, and storytellers, this flower has woven itself into the very fabric of elements like mythology, remembrance, and even modern-day trends. In essence, poppy flowers symbolize many things and possess different meanings across the world. Their significance, also, varies subject to cultures and contexts.
罂粟花是标志性的！那些通常鲜红色的花瓣和精致的黑色花心完美地融合了鲜艳的美丽和丰富的历史。更不用说它们在文学和医学等方面的作用了。因此，人们可能会问罂粟花的含义是什么。是什么吸引人们去喜欢罂粟花 ？是外观、象征意义，还是其他什么？无论它们的吸引力、魅力、神秘的诱惑或含义如何，这些花的鲜艳色彩和短暂性几个世纪以来一直激励着许多人。从艺术家、诗人到讲故事的人，这种花已经融入了神话、纪念甚至现代潮流等元素之中。本质上， 罂粟花象征着许多事物，在世界各地具有不同的含义。它们的意义也因文化和背景而异。

Poppy Flowers Origin and Nuances
罂粟花的起源和花香

Poppies are herbaceous annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial plants. They are any of several flowering plants of the Papaveraceae family which come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that go beyond the most common red.
罂粟是一年生、二年生或短命的多年生草本植物。它们是罂粟科的几种开花植物之一，其形状、大小和颜色多种多样，除了最常见的红色之外，还有许多其它颜色。

The poppy flower was domesticated by the indigenous people of Western and Central Europe between 6,000 and 3,500 BC. However, it is believed that its original roots may come from the Sumerian people, where the first use of opium was recognized. Generally, a low-maintenance wildflower that boasts brightly colored blooms, poppies come in numerous species some of which are monocarpic, which means they die after flowering. These flowers are, however, attractive and are widely cultivated as annual or perennial ornamental plants.
罂粟花在公元前 6000 年至 3500 年间由西欧和中欧的土著居民驯化。然而，人们认为它的根源可能来自苏美尔人，那里首次发现了鸦片的使用。罂粟通常是一种易于养护的野花，花朵色彩鲜艳。罂粟的品种繁多，其中一些是单次结实的，这意味着它们在开花后就会枯萎。然而，这些花非常美丽，被广泛种植为一年生或多年生观赏植物。

There, currently, are hundreds of species of poppies, and they have a nearly global range; from the icy tundra to the torrid arid landscapes. Therefore, the poppy appears as a symbol in the cultural folklore of people, practically, all around the world. Poppy flowers come in a variety of colors, including red, white, yellow, pink, salmon, blue, and lilac. But red poppies are the variety most widely known and available. Blue poppies, just like most other blue flowers, are perhaps the rarest to find.
目前， 罂粟有数百个品种 ，几乎遍布全球，从冰封的苔原到炎热的干旱地区，无所不包。因此，罂粟几乎在世界各地的民间文化中都被视为象征。罂粟花的颜色多种多样，包括红色、白色、黄色、粉色、橙红色、蓝色和淡紫色。其中， 红色罂粟最为人熟知，也最为常见。蓝色罂粟，如同大多数其他蓝色花朵一样，或许是最难找到的。

History of Poppy Flower Meaning and Symbolism
罂粟花的含义和象征意义的历史

To get a full account of the poppy flower's meaning, one needs to go way back to historical periods when it was first grown and cultivated for its medicinal and recreational uses, primarily as a mild sedative. Though now found all over the world, its pain-relieving properties are the base source from which morphine and codeine may be extracted.
要全面了解罂粟花的含义 ，需要追溯到它最初被种植和栽培用于药用和娱乐用途的历史时期，当时人们主要将其用作温和的镇静剂。虽然如今罂粟花已遍布世界各地，但它的止痛特性却是提取吗啡和可待因的基本原料。

Poppies have played a significant role in ancient mythology and medicine. They have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back thousands of years and are believed to have been associated with ancient Egyptian veneration of gods. These flowers have been featured in their jewelry and even furniture. The poppy was, also, used in funeral rituals as a symbol of renaissance and eternal life. The Egyptians believed that the flower had the power to bring the deceased back to life in the afterworld.
罂粟在古代神话和医学中扮演着重要的角色。它们在数千年前的埃及古墓中被发现，并被认为与古埃及人的神灵崇拜有关。这些花朵曾出现在他们的珠宝甚至家具中。罂粟也被用于葬礼仪式，象征着复兴和永生。埃及人相信这种花具有让死者在来世复活的力量。

Other early uses of the poppy symbol can, also, be found in ancient cultures such as the Romans, and Greeks. They used poppies in their funeral rites, associating them with sleep, peace, and rebirth. Still yet, Greek mythology, the poppy was linked to the goddess Demeter. She was the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and harvest. The Greek gods are believed to have given Demeter poppies to help her sleep. She was upset because her daughter, Persephone, had been abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld. Subsequently, poppies sprang up from Demeter's footsteps.
罂粟花象征的其他早期用法也可以在罗马和希腊等古代文化中找到。他们在葬礼上使用罂粟花，将其与睡眠、和平和重生联系在一起。然而，在希腊神话中，罂粟花与女神德墨忒尔联系在一起。她是农业、生育和丰收的女神。据说希腊诸神赐予德墨忒尔罂粟花来帮助她睡眠。她因女儿珀耳塞福涅被冥王哈迪斯绑架而感到不安。随后，罂粟花便沿着德墨忒尔的足迹而生。

The poppies were, also, found in the cave of Hypnos, the god of sleep. Thus Hypnos and Nyx, the goddess of night are also associated with the poppy flower symbol. Still, in Greek mythology, the poppy flower has been associated with Morpheus, the god of sleep and dreams. In fact, the drug morphine, which is derived from poppies, is named after the Greek god, Morpheus.
罂粟花也出现在睡神许普诺斯的洞穴中。因此，许普诺斯和夜之女神尼克斯也与罂粟花象征联系在一起。然而，在希腊神话中，罂粟花与睡眠和梦之神墨菲斯联系在一起。事实上，从罂粟中提取的药物吗啡就是以希腊神墨菲斯的名字命名的。

Even still, preceding Greek mythology, the Assyrians called the poppy 'daughter of the fields' for the flower's association with agriculture and its ability to nourish the soil and grains; a symbol of live, fertility, and death. Generally, however, the flower's meaning and symbolism revolve around consolation and remembrance, eternal life and resurrection, peace and sleep, dreams and imagination, sorrow and death, beauty and success, magic and mystery, sacrifice, regeneration, and even luxury, depending on different contexts.
甚至早在希腊神话出现之前，亚述人就将罂粟称为“田野之女”，因为罂粟花与农业息息相关，能够滋养土壤和谷物；它象征着生命、生育和死亡。然而，一般来说，罂粟花的含义和象征意义围绕着慰藉与回忆、永生与复活、和平与安眠、梦想与想象、悲伤与死亡、美丽与成功、魔法与神秘、牺牲、再生，甚至奢华，具体取决于不同的语境。

The Poppy Flower Meaning Across Different Societies
罂粟花在不同社会中的含义

Poppies are not merely beautiful flowers that grace gardens and meadows in different parts of the world; they hold deep allegories and cultural significance. From ancient mythology to war memorials, these delicate-looking yet resilient flowers have developed into a universal symbol of commemoration, hope, and resilience, based on the different cultures.
罂粟花不仅仅是点缀在世界各地花园和草地上的美丽花朵，它们还蕴含着深刻的寓言和文化意义。从古代神话到战争纪念碑，这些外表娇柔却坚韧不拔的花朵，在不同文化中逐渐发展成为纪念、希望和坚韧的普遍象征。

The association of poppies with symbolism can be traced back thousands of years. For instance, this is why the Greek goddess Demeter, mourning the loss of her daughter Persephone, created the poppy as a symbol of eternal sleep and solace, and Ancient Egypt used poppies for medicinal purposes and as a symbol of resurrection and rebirth.
罂粟与象征意义的联系可以追溯到数千年前。例如，希腊女神德墨忒尔为悼念失去女儿珀耳塞福涅而创造了罂粟，作为永恒睡眠和慰藉的象征；古埃及人则将罂粟用于药用，并作为复活和重生的象征。

Later, Victorians in their language of flowers, attributed numerous meanings to the flower, most of which varied depending on the color. It was most commonly used to represent loss, extravagance, and deep sleep. Japanese and Chinese cultures viewed poppy flowers as a representation of passionate and deep love in a couple; signifying adoration and affection.
后来，维多利亚时代的人们在他们的花语中赋予了罂粟花诸多含义，其中大部分含义取决于颜色。罂粟花最常被用来象征失落、奢华和沉睡。在日本和中国文化中，罂粟花象征着情侣之间热烈而深沉的爱意，象征着爱慕和深情。

But the deep association of poppies with remembrance and honor can be credited to the famous war poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. Inspired by the sight of poppies growing amid the graves of fallen soldiers during World War I, Lieutenant Colonel McCrae wrote the poem, immortalizing the flower's significance.
但罂粟花与纪念和荣誉的深厚联系，可以归功于约翰·麦克雷中校著名的战争诗歌《在法兰德斯战场》。第一次世界大战期间，麦克雷中校看到罂粟花在阵亡士兵的坟墓间生长，受到启发，创作了这首诗，使罂粟花的意义永垂不朽。

The red poppy, in particular, became a symbol of sacrifice and remembrance for those who lost their lives in conflict. Its association with remembrance, thus, stems from its spread in Flanders Fields, where it bloomed in the middle of the devastation and bloodshed of World War I. The striking red color of the flower's petals has come to represent the bloodshed and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in war. Wearing or displaying the red poppy, as a result, pays tribute to their memory.
红罂粟尤其成为牺牲和缅怀战争中牺牲者的象征。它与缅怀的联系源于它在法兰德斯战场的传播，那里正是第一次世界大战的满目疮痍和血腥屠杀的战场。花瓣的鲜红象征着战争中牺牲者的鲜血和牺牲。因此，佩戴或展示红罂粟花，是对逝者的缅怀。

Aside from the connection to war, the red poppy symbolizes resilience and hope. These flowers are known for their ability to grow in not-so-good conditions and even thrive in distributed soil. In this sense, the red poppy points to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity and tragedy. It represents hope and a determination to overcome challenges.
除了与战争的联系之外，红罂粟还象征着坚韧和希望。这些花朵以其在恶劣条件下也能生长，甚至在分散的土壤中也能茁壮成长而闻名。从这个意义上讲，红罂粟象征着人类精神的坚韧，即使在逆境和悲剧面前也能保持。它代表着希望和克服挑战的决心。

Basically, all around the world, the poppy flower's meaning varies between countries but many cultures share at least one common meaning for the poppy flower. In China, for instance, they denote rest and consolation. They are, often, used to represent eternal sleep and the afterlife, while in Japan, they are associated with dreams and the transcience of life.
基本上， 罂粟花在世界各地的含义各不相同，但许多文化至少赋予它一种共同的含义。例如，在中国，罂粟花象征着休息和慰藉。它们常常被用来象征永恒的睡眠和来世；而在日本，罂粟花则与梦境和生命的短暂联系在一起。

In New Zealand, the poppy flower has a special meaning, too. It is worn around Anzac Day, with Poppy Day being the Friday before Anzac Day in this country. Of all the types of poppy, red is the most common color worn for this event.
在新西兰， 罂粟花也有着特殊的意义 。人们在澳新军团日（Anzac Day）前后佩戴罂粟花，而“罂粟日”在新西兰是澳新军团日之前的星期五。在所有罂粟花种类中，红色是澳新军团日最常见的佩戴颜色。

Moreover, poppies are perfect for gifting to people who have birthdays in August as the birth flower. Not only is the flower right in season at this time, but it-alongside the Gladiolus- is the classic flower that represents the birth month of August. On the other hand, you could also give poppies if you are attending a funeral, as they can symbolize recovery, eternal life, and restful sleep.
此外，罂粟花作为八月生日的花 ，非常适合送给八月出生的人。罂粟花不仅恰逢八月，而且与剑兰一样，是代表八月生日的经典花卉。此外，如果您参加葬礼，也可以赠送罂粟花，因为它们象征着康复、永生和安眠。

Poppy Flower Color Meanings Across Different Cultures
罂粟花在不同文化中的含义

While the red poppy is the most common, and often associated with remembrance and the memory of fallen soldiers, other colors and varieties, also, hold their unique symbolism. White poppies, for instance, are often used as a symbol of peace and non-violence. White remembrance poppies were first sold in 1933 by members of the Women's Co-operative Guild who mourned the loss of loved ones during World War I. many people wore these white poppies to stress home the message: "Never Again", which emerged after the war, and which by then appeared to be losing traction. Accordingly, these flowers advocate for peaceful resolutions to conflicts and emphasize the need for harmony and understanding.
虽然红色罂粟花最为常见，常与纪念和缅怀阵亡将士联系在一起，但其他颜色和品种的罂粟花也拥有其独特的象征意义。例如， 白色罂粟花常被用作和平与非暴力的象征。 白色纪念罂粟花最早于 1933 年由妇女合作协会的成员出售，旨在悼念第一次世界大战期间失去亲人的人们。许多人佩戴这些白色罂粟花，以强调“永不再犯”这一在战后出现、但当时似乎已逐渐失去影响力的理念。因此，这些花朵倡导和平解决冲突，并强调和谐与理解的重要性。

Likewise, black poppies have in recent years been hitting the limelight and are used in the remembrance of the many unrecognized, marginalized races who fought and died alongside the soldiers. They are a mark of remembrance of black, African, Caribbean, and Pacific Islanders who lost their lives at war. Purple poppies, however, are mostly associated with spirituality, mindfulness, and a deeper sense of introspection. They symbolize spiritual awakening, transformation, and consciousness expansion. These purple poppy flowers  are also used to commemorate animal victims who served and lost their lives during the conflicts.
同样，近年来， 黑罂粟花也备受瞩目，被用来纪念那些与士兵并肩作战、浴血奋战的、被边缘化的种族。它们象征着在战争中牺牲的黑人、非洲人、加勒比海地区和太平洋岛民。然而， 紫罂粟花则更多地与灵性、正念和更深层次的内省联系在一起。它们象征着精神的觉醒、蜕变和意识的扩展。这些紫罂粟花也被用来纪念在战争中牺牲的动物。

Orange poppies are often viewed as a representation of health, resilience, a joy, success, foresight, and understanding based on different settings. The California poppies, which are generally orange are, alongside other yellow flowers, seen as a floral representation of the 'field of gold' sought during the gold rush. Blue poppies are said to represent imagination and higher thinking. They epitomize creativity and inspiration. The unique color and its rarity make it a symbol of the extraordinary; pushing one to seek out the unusual and the remarkable in their everyday lives.
橙色罂粟花通常被视为健康、坚韧、喜悦、成功、远见和理解的象征，具体含义取决于不同的环境。 加州罂粟花通常呈橙色，与其他黄色花卉一起，象征着淘金热时期人们追逐的“金田”。 蓝色罂粟花则象征着想象力和更高级的思维，是创造力和灵感的象征。其独特的色彩和稀有性使其成为非凡的象征，激励人们在日常生活中探索非凡的事物。

Pink poppy flowers have been used as a symbol of beauty, peace, and love. According to spiritual beliefs, the pink poppy flower, also, represents spiritual connection, inner peace, and the divine. The vibrant pink color represents the energy of the heart chakra. Alongside the blue poppies, they are, in the same way, connected to luxury, success, and imagination. Yellow poppies, for their part, symbolize renewal and optimism. They stand for renewal, optimism, and looking at the bright side of situations. Also, they are associated with friendship, success, joy, and happiness. Plus, they can be used in memorials to honor loved ones who have passed and acknowledge that, henceforth, the focus should be on the positive memories of the deceased's time alive.
粉色罂粟花一直被用作美丽、和平与爱的象征。根据精神信仰，粉色罂粟花也代表着精神连接、内心的平静和神圣。鲜艳的粉红色代表着心轮的能量。与蓝色罂粟花一样，它们也象征着奢华、成功和想象力。 黄色罂粟花则象征着复兴和乐观，象征着复兴、乐观以及看到事物光明的一面。此外，它们还与友谊、成功、喜悦和幸福联系在一起。此外，它们还可用于纪念逝去的亲人，并表明今后应该将重点放在逝者生前的美好回忆上。

Poppy Flower Tattoo Meaning
罂粟花纹身的含义

The poppy flower tattoo meaning carries a similar weight to the flower's broader symbolism. Often chosen in shades of bright red - but also commonly found in shades of black, and gray - poppy flower tattoo meanings often commemorate fallen soldiers or symbolize life, death, and the resolve of the human spirit. The poppy flower tattoo meaning is, also, deeply personal, reflecting individual experiences and beliefs.
罂粟花纹身的含义与其更广泛的象征意义相似。罂粟花纹身通常以鲜红色为主色调，但也常见于黑色和灰色，其含义通常用于纪念阵亡将士，或象征生命、死亡和人类精神的坚毅。罂粟花纹身的含义也极具个人色彩，反映了个人的经历和信仰。

Poppy Flower Cultivation and Use in Floral Designs
罂粟花的栽培及其在花卉设计中的应用

Poppies are relatively easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of soil types and climates. These flowers are often used in floral designs and arrangements due to their arresting presence and enigmatic appearance as well as their symbolism. For instance, red poppies in Remembrance Day, and Memorial Day wreaths and bouquets, while other varieties may add a touch of whimsicality and charm to any other arrangements.
罂粟花相对容易种植 ，在各种土壤类型和气候条件下都能茁壮成长。这些花卉因其引人注目的气质、神秘的外形以及其象征意义，常被用于花艺设计和插花中。例如，在纪念日、阵亡将士纪念日花圈和花束中都会用到红色罂粟花，而其他品种的罂粟花则能为其他插花增添一丝奇思妙想和魅力。

Regardless of the interpretation and uses, the poppy flower remains iconic. It is an exemplification of different symbolisms across the different cultures of the world.
无论其诠释和用途如何，罂粟花始终是标志性的象征。它是世界不同文化中不同象征意义的典范。

Header image by BarbeeAnne, feature image by Eugene Lisyuk
标题图片由 BarbeeAnne 提供，特色图片由 Eugene Lisyuk 提供