Red Poppies and Remembrance

Among the more noticeable accoutrements of British attire this time of year are the omnipresent paper poppies seen on the lapels of every suit jacket or dress. This is the symbolic "red corn poppy" of commemoration, and the narrative that explains its use around Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday in the UK is more elaborate than one might expect. But as interesting are the feelings the red poppy evokes in Ireland, and in Northern Ireland in particular. For some insight on this, see the commentary posted by a weblog colleague at Neither Indifferent Nor Sceptical.