The
Poppy is ruled by Ceres, the
Roman corn goddess. Poppies and wheat growing together
symbolized life and death. In fact they were thought
to possess prophetic qualities and often used by those
seeking to divine the future.
The flowers it is said to have
been punished by God for its vanity and pride. He
authorised Satan to touch it with 'his flowers'
leaving black marks on the base of the corolla.
Papaver somniferum, the Opium poppy introduced by the
Romans to Britain and once used as a cure-all for
headaches, toothache and sleep aid. Indeed Dorothy in
the Wizard of Oz fell asleep in a field of poppies and
it signifies oblivion in the language of flowers.
