The Significance of Wreaths on Anzac Day
A wreath may take only a few seconds to lay, but for florists in the nation’s largest garrison city, it is a task that requires weeks of preparation. These symbols of respect will soon cover the ground on Anzac Day, each arrangement filled with meaning and history. Most wreaths contain laurel foliage to represent glory and victory, rosemary for remembrance, and poppies for the sacrifice of shedding blood.
Maree O’Shea, owner of a Townsville florist, will help create more than 100 wreaths. This is a job she doesn’t take lightly. “Being in a military town, it’s a really important time for us and the community to show our respects,” Ms O’Shea said. Despite rising freight costs due to the fuel crisis, she remains committed to ensuring people can continue this tradition, which dates back to ancient times.
Years of Practice and Perfecting
Ms O’Shea’s florists spend about 30 minutes to complete one wreath, but the planning process takes weeks to ensure the right flowers are available. Flowers are transported by land and air from as far as Melbourne, Queensland’s Glasshouse Mountains, and even South Africa. “Trucks are cheaper than planes, but it’s longer and [the flowers are] out on the road … without refrigeration,” Ms O’Shea explained.
The florists start working more than a week before Anzac Day by soaking the wreath base with water. Foliage is then added stalk by stalk and arranged to cover the base. Ms O’Shea said flowers were chosen for their colours and longevity, with many able to last for weeks. “We want it to stay as beautiful for as long as possible for something that means a lot to them,” she said.
Sourcing Red Poppies in Australia
Since World War I, wreaths laid to commemorate Anzac soldiers have featured red poppies to represent the lives lost on battlefields in France. However, Ms O’Shea said florists had to find an alternative to real red poppies on Anzac Day because the blooms were not in season. “Artificial flowers are very realistic and people can’t tell that they’re not real,” she said.
Faux wreaths made from silk and other materials have also been a popular option as people look for more affordable ways to commemorate Anzac Day.
An Ancient Tradition
Wreath laying has long been a practice among mourners as a sign of remembrance and immortality. According to Australian War Memorial military historian Craig Tibbitts, the practice dates back to ancient Greek and Roman traditions. “Sometimes people who won athletic events, races or music competitions, or victorious soldiers were presented with laurel leaves,” he said. “They were symbolising glory and victory.”
Mr Tibbitts explained that in ancient times, wreaths were sometimes hung on doorways to bring agricultural prosperity or appease the gods. Though wreath laying was already practised throughout the British Empire, including Australia, before World War I, Mr Tibbitts said it gained new significance after the war ended. “With the scale of death in the First World War in the millions, wreaths were used to adorn grave sites on the battlefield,” he said.
Since Anzac memorials have been erected around the country to remember unknown soldiers and those whose bodies were never returned, wreaths have covered the ground in front. “The tradition was to commemorate those who had lost their lives by placing wreaths as part of the ceremony,” Mr Tibbitts said.
