Every November, people across the UK wear poppies as a symbol of remembrance. From humble beginnings as a simple flower, the poppy has grown into a nationally recognised emblem that appears in enamel pins, brooches and metal badges. As specialists in custom pin badges, we have been exploring how the remembrance poppy has evolved over the last hundred years.

The poppy became a symbol of remembrance following the First World War, inspired by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. McCrae captured the striking image of red poppies flourishing across battle-scarred fields: a reminder of hope and resilience amid the devastation of war.

When the Royal British Legion began selling poppies in 1921, they were crafted from silk petals with wire stems and bitumen centres. There were four different designs, ranging from large silk poppies to simpler versions made of cotton, lawn, or cardboard - allowing everyone to participate in remembering the fallen

 During the Second World War, material shortages meant fewer designs could be produced. Silk poppies became rare, and a cardboard version was introduced to ensure their continued availability. 

After the war, wire stems were reintroduced and red felt replaced silk for the petals, cementing the look that people would come to recognise for decades.

The 1960s brought further changes: the bitumen centre and wire stem were replaced with plastic and petals were made in a single piece. By the late 1980s, the green leaf returned to the design, reflecting public preference and restoring a familiar feature of the remembrance poppy.

Popular paper poppy design

 In 2023, the Royal British Legion unveiled a fully recyclable, plastic-free poppy, made entirely from paper. Created from renewable fibres, including offcuts from coffee cups, the design preserves the traditional shape and black centre marked with ‘Poppy Appeal’, while adding a carefully folded leaf. 

It can be fastened with a pin in the stem or worn in a buttonhole. The 2023 poppy design combines tradition with modern sustainability.

 From the 1980s onwards, hard enamel and metal poppy badges became increasingly popular. These poppy badges offered durability and allowed for more intricate designs, colours, and finishes.

You can purchase a classic red poppy pin badge from Aspinline to wear this Remembrance Day.

Red hard enamel poppy pin badge

While red remains the most recognised and popular remembrance poppy, other colours have been introduced to represent different aspects of remembrance:

Purple poppies honour animals, such as horses, dogs and pigeons, that served in wartime.

White poppies symbolise peace and a commitment to ending conflict.

Black poppies recognise the contributions of Black African and Caribbean communities to Britain’s war efforts.

These remembrance poppy badge variations reflect how society’s understanding of remembrance and sacrifice continues to evolve.

Purple poppy badge to honour animals that served in the war.

 Over a century since the first silk poppies, the remembrance poppy badge continues to be a powerful reminder of sacrifice and service. Millions, from schoolchildren to public figures, wear poppies each year to honour those who gave their lives in conflict.

At Aspinline, we understand the significance of the remembrance poppy badge is well understood. They can help create a wide range of poppy charity badge designs that align with a charity’s goals and bring to life the specific poppy badge the charity has in mind. From classic red enamel poppies to bespoke designs supporting local causes, we ensure commemorative ideas are brought to life. Contact us today to start designing your custom remembrance poppy badge.