Much like the red poppy, a white poppy is worn around Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day to show respect for victims of war.
Many Brits wear their red poppies for those who died fighting in World War I and II, but the white poppy stands for all victims of war and is a commitment to peace and a refusal to celebrate or glamourise war itself.
The Peace Pledge Union, who sell the white poppies, want to promote the idea that there are better ways to resolve conflict than through war and violence.
Why do we wear a red poppy?
Many Brits will don the red poppy on their lapel in a show of respect for the members of the British Armed Forces who died fighting in World War I and II.
The use of the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for victims of war began in 1915 after John McCrae’s poem was published in Punch magazine that described the poppies springing out of the soldier’s graves in Flanders Fields.
The red poppy has since been used a symbol of respect for those who died fighting for Britain.
More: Remembrance Day
Why do some people wear a white poppy?
In 1926 the idea of the white poppy sprung up, as people wanted to wear a symbol that commemorated all victims of war regardless of race, creed, gender or age.
The Co-operative women’s guild sold the white poppy from 1933 and in 1934 the Peace Pledge Union began distributing the alternative commemoration symbol.
The Peace Pledge Union distribute the white poppies today and they explain that they differ from the Royal British Legion in that they recognise and commemorate the victims of all wars, such as the civilians killed in the bombings of Dresden, Hiroshima, Baghdad and Kabul.
They are also working to change the way people commemorate and think about war with the white poppy.
Where can I buy a white poppy?
You can buy the white poppy, a five pack for £5 or buy a display box of 100 for your office or business for £60 on The Peace Pledge Union’s website.
Just like red poppies, white poppies are sold in a selection of shops, cafes or public places, check where you can pick one up here.
The Royal British Legion has no official standpoint on the white poppy and insists that whether you wear a red, white, both or none at all, it is a ‘matter of choice.’
They also want to curb the attitude towards commemoration of war, which paints war as noble and worth celebrating.
You can wear the white poppy around the same time you would normally wear the red poppy, for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, around November 11 each year.