Because there are many different colors of poppies, there are many different meanings. In general, a poppy means imagination and eternal sleep. This is because of the opium extracted from them and the blood-red color.

Contents 1 History 2 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 3 Colors 3.1 Red 3.2 White 3.3 Yellow

HistoryEdit

In Greek mythology, Demeter created the poppy so she could sleep. This was after the loss of her daughter, Persephone. The twin brothers Hypnos and Thanatos were depicted with a crown of poppies. Because Hypnos was the god of sleep and Thanatos was god of death, the Greeks were obviously aware that endless sleep meant death.

In Greco-Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead.

Throughout history, these flowers have been used as emblems on tombstones to represent eternal sleep.

The Wonderful Wizard of OzEdit

In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the aspect of eternal sleep was used in creating magical poppy fields. These were dangerous because they caused those who passed through them to sleep forever.

ColorsEdit

RedEdit

The red poppy symbolizes pleasure.

WhiteEdit

White poppies are symbolic of sleep.

YellowEdit

The yellow poppy is a symbol of wealth and success.