ANZAC day Traditions

ANZAC day

As ANZAC day approaches again, while making some early wreaths I reflect on why we make special wreaths for ANZAC and what it all means, its not all about biscuits and 2-up!

Since a lot of soldiers have no grave or buried overseas, the laying of wreaths at a memorial is important, gives the families and nation the opportunity to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers

Being TAFE trained florist, I was taught to make laurel wreaths for ANZAC day, the only day we make them, so here’s the breakdown

The base, called a chaplet,  is a teardrop shape– for the tears we have shed

Laurel leaves – used since Roman times, symbolises Victory

Rosemary – is for remembrance

Red Poppies – that were growing wild in Flanders Field

The purple Lest we Forget ribbon – purple for mourning

The ribbons – red, white and blue are used to represent the 3 forces – Army, Navy and Airforce

3 – everything is created in 3’s, 3 poppies, leaves are in sets of 3, 3 loops in the ribbon– again to stand for the 3 armed forces

This is not a time for florists to be creative, this is a time for traditions.

Australian and New Zealand Army corp, Anzac Day is a commemoration of the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April in 1915.

The ANZAC’s, the armed forces and personal who fought for our freedom, the reason why we get to sit here in reasonable safety and peace.

Lest we Forget