The Complete Guide to Awareness Ribbon Colors and Meanings

Awareness ribbons are a meaningful way to support particular issues and conditions. These folded ribbons are available in many colors, each relating to a specific cause. Wearers can pin them to their clothes or hang them in public places to spread awareness. They help facilitate discussions around the topic and educate others, explaining how they can also get involved.

Learning about ribbon color meanings helps you better understand which ones to distribute to your employees, coworkers, clients and customers. You gain more insight into supported causes and can join the campaigns you’re interested in.

Awareness Ribbon Colors and Meanings

Awareness ribbons display support for various causes, typically related to medical or social issues. Each ribbon color aligns with a different cause. Here is a closer look at awareness ribbon colors and their meanings:

Pink Ribbon Meaning

Pink ribbons symbolize many causes related to women’s health. One of its most famous associations is breast cancer awareness. Pink is the signifying color for campaigns around the world, and pink ribbons raise awareness and show solidarity for those battling breast cancer. Many breast cancer campaign events display the pink ribbon on signs and other promotional materials.

Pink awareness ribbons are also associated with these causes:

• Eosinophilic diseases: These disorders occur when the body produces too many eosinophils, which are cellular components in blood.
• Nursing mothers: Pink ribbons also support breastfeeding mothers.
• Paget’s disease: This chronic disease disrupts the normal bone remodeling process by building abnormally shaped and brittle bones.
• Women’s health: Pink ribbons can also signify general women’s health.

Red Ribbon Meaning

Red ribbons relate to many causes. Perhaps the most famous association is to show support for the fight against HIV and AIDS. Red ribbons helped destigmatize discussion about AIDS and inspired many charities and public figures to support the cause.

The bold ribbon also symbolizes these causes:

• Addiction: The red ribbon supports people battling different addiction types, such as alcohol or drug dependence.
• Blood cancer: The ribbon’s red color also signifies various forms of blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
• Cardiovascular disease: Cardiovascular diseases include heart diseases, heart attacks, heart failure and other conditions that harm the body’s heart and cardiovascular system. Those wearing or displaying a red ribbon might be supporting people with these conditions.
• Stroke: Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is obstructed. Red awareness ribbons boost awareness and assistance for people who have had strokes.

Green Ribbon Meaning

The green awareness ribbon is most associated with mental health. Wearing a ribbon displays support for your loved ones’ and colleagues’ mental health and often shows remembrance for lost loved ones. It can also represent specific mental conditions, such as bipolar disorder or childhood depression.

In addition, green ribbons represent causes like:

• Global warming: Green ribbons can symbolize concern for and the battle against global warming. Green is one of the most prominent colors on Earth, found in many forms of plant life. The green ribbon symbolizes protecting the planet from climate change damage.
• Natural disasters: Green awareness ribbons also support people enduring natural disasters, either within their own community or in a different international location.
• Brain injuries: The ribbons also help people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

Light green ribbons have slightly different meanings. People use them for awareness about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and Celiac disease.

Purple Ribbon Meaning

Purple awareness ribbons are popular options for representing a broad range of causes. One of its most prominent meanings is a sign of hope for those with pancreatic cancer. This cancer type originates in the stomach, in the area known as the pancreas.

Additionally, purple ribbons support these causes:

• Alzheimer’s: This is the most common form of dementia. It causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
• Cystic fibrosis: This disease affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs, preventing them from working properly.
• Eating disorders: Purple ribbons support people struggling with all types of eating disorders, which are mental and physical illnesses that impact the healthy consumption of food.
• Epilepsy: Epilepsy disorders cause regular seizures, which are sudden electrical activity in the brain. Purple ribbons display hope for those with epilepsy.

Blue Ribbon Meaning

Blue awareness ribbons are another common type. They symbolize hope for many causes and conditions, including:

• Bullying
• Child abuse
• Human trafficking
• Water safety

Blue also has many variations. Each distinctive shade of blue has a separate ribbon and meaning. For instance, these are two common alternate blue colors:

• Light blue ribbon meaning: Light blue ribbons show support for many causes. They are a sign of hope for children in foster care, and many people wear them to support or increase awareness for kids within the foster care system. Light blue ribbons also display support for men’s general physical health and mental well-being.
• Teal ribbon meaning: Teal ribbons also represent a wide range of campaigns. They may act as a sign of support for rape and sexual assault survivors. Teal ribbons also encourage those with anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety and panic disorder. By wearing the ribbon, you display concern and solidarity for those who have lived with these experiences.

Orange Ribbon Meaning

The orange awareness ribbon is typically associated with leukemia, a cancer that affects the body’s blood and bone marrow. Orange ribbons increase education about the condition and show strength for those affected by it.

In addition, orange ribbons support those attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over 4% of adults in the United States have one of these disorders that make it hard to concentrate, control impulsive behaviors and manage time effectively.

Orange ribbons also symbolize:

• Human rights: Orange represents the global fight for human dignity and justice.
• Motorcycle safety: Orange ribbons can also signify the importance of following safety procedures when riding a motorcycle.
• World hunger: Orange awareness ribbons increase awareness and concern for global food insecurities and problems. Wearing an orange ribbon shows support for people suffering from hunger or specific organizations assisting hungry communities.

Raise Awareness With ePromos Products

Awareness ribbons are essential tools for showing support and increasing awareness about particular causes. You can also increase understanding by promoting your cause on different apparel and product types.

If you need high-quality promotional products, shop with ePromos today. Our broad inventory of promotional items can suit many projects and goals. From customized clothing and accessories to technology or drinkware, we have the items you need. Wearing or giving away promotional products increases awareness and teaches people how to get involved.

To get started with ePromos, shop online today.