Celebrating with flowers.

On November the 11th 1918, at 11 am the guns were silenced, after raging for four long years. Big Ben in London struck while people sang, danced and cheered in the streets of London- this marked the end of World War One. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The Amistice was signed – and today many countries remember this day – the young soldiers that died defending their countries.
Ceremonies are held at war memorials all over the world on this day, and in Britain, Queen Elizabeth attends a ceremony on the Sunday that falls closest to this date. She places a wreath of red poppies on the Cenotaph – the statue of rememberance.
Red poppies are used in wreaths all over the world because these grew wild in Flanders, France, where the men fought battles during World War One- they also remind us of the blood that flowed from the soldiers during these battles
By selling red poppies, funds are also raised for those families left behind when their bread winners died during battle. Standing in silence for two minutes to respect the dead is an important part of the ceremony.
Buddha’s Birthday – Flower Festival
One of the most widely followed religions is Buddhism; the word Buddha means Wise One or Enlightened One. In Japan, followers of Buddhism celebrate Buddha’s Birthday on the 8th April. On this day thousands of children line up in front of a small shrine which is covered in flowers. Inside this shrine is a small statue of Buddha.
Each child then ladles sweet tea over the statue, showing their love to Buddha.
This day is known as the Flower Festival, because this is the time of year that all the cherry trees begin blossoming.

May Day – Flora – Goddess of Flowers
On May Day, in towns and villages in England, you will find many children dancing around the Maypole – heralding the start of summer.
This is a custom which goes way back to the days of the Roman Empire, when they celebrated every spring ,honouring Flora, their goddess of flowers.
When the Romans invaded England, May Day is one of the festivities the English adopted from the Romans.
May Day is a happy celebration, with children dancing around a  maypole decorated with flowers, and the May Queen is always adorned with flowers.

Flowers represent so many occasions and festivals – when you next celebrate a festival or important occasion – deliver flowers to those closest to your heart.