Awareness Ribbons Chart: Color, Meaning, Causes

Definition

Awareness Ribbons

Awareness ribbons are defined as short pieces of colored ribbon folded into a loop, or representations of such, which are used in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, and other parts of the world as a way for wearers of the ribbon(s) to make a statement of support for a cause or issue.

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What are Awareness Ribbons?

The use of various colored ribbons is designed to generate public awareness of health, medical conditions, disability, and other issues. Awareness ribbons are defined as short pieces of colored ribbon folded into a loop, or representations of such, which are used in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, and other parts of the world as a way for wearers of the ribbon(s) to make a statement of support for a cause or issue.

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How Many Awareness Ribbons Are There?

Many groups, foundations, and organizations have adopted ribbons as symbols of support or awareness. As a result, various causes may often share the same, or similar, ribbon color(s). With new awareness days, weeks, and months, and ribbon colors, designs and symbols being created for causes, conditions, and cancer awareness, we're not certain how many there are, but as seen below, there are a lot!

Important Notes:

• Disabled World does not guarantee these ribbons' accuracy, legal status, or causes. Before using any ribbon colors and designs for any reason, thoroughly research all current existing ribbon designations and causes.
• As many awareness ribbon colors may have multiple associated meanings, we only list ribbons regarding health/disabilities.
• Due to different groups, organizations, countries, and people often creating different colored ribbons for the same cause, we may have a condition/disease listed several times under various ribbon colors.
• If you know a ribbon or cause we have listed is not correct - or if you know of an awareness ribbon color or cause we have missed - please see: How to correct, register, or submit an awareness ribbon color or design.

Covid-19 Coronavirus Awareness Ribbon

In these times of social isolation or distancing, you may like to either suggest a design for a COVID-19 Awareness Ribbon, send us an image of your COVID-19 Awareness Ribbon design, or ask your child if they wish to design an awareness ribbon. Your description and design could convey; sentiments of those affected by COVID-19, remembrance of those who passed due to the Coronavirus, or gratitude for the doctors, nurses, delivery personnel, and many other workers who have, and are, placing their lives on the line every second of the day to save lives and help others stay safe. More information can be found at: Disabled World COVID-19 Awareness Ribbon Design Submissions.

Jump to Different Awareness Ribbon Colors

Black Awareness Ribbons

Blue Awareness Ribbons

Light Blue Ribbons

Navy-Blue Ribbons

Royal Blue Ribbons

Robin Egg Blue Ribbons

• Pierre Robin Syndrome, Pierre Robin Malformation, Pierre Robin Sequence, Pierre Robin Anomaly, Pierre Robin Anomalad).

Blue Ribbons (2 Tone)

• Hydrocephalus Awareness - Light blue and dark blue ribbon with a drop of water on it.

Blue/Gray Ribbon with Red Blood Drop

• Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes)

Blue Jeans Denim Ribbon

• Genetic Disorder Awareness

Indigo Ribbon

• Crimes against targeted individuals of organized stalking and electronic harassment awareness.

Pale Blue

• Achalasia Awareness

Brown

Burgundy

Copper

• Herpes Simplex Virus Awareness - HSV 1 is the oral version of the virus, and HSV 2 is the genital type. HSV is NOT part of standard STD screening, is highly contagious, and there is no cure.

Cream

Gray / Grey

Green

Lime Green

Light Green

Mint Green

Turquoise

Teal

Jade

• Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer - The Jade Ribbon Campaign was launched by Asian Liver Center at Stanford University in 2001.

Sea Green/Sea Foam Blue Ribbons

• Family Estrangement: The ribbon color is seafoam-blue (Pantone 628 Cp Color, HEX #C8E3E2, rgb(200,227,226))
• Stuttering: The awareness color ribbon for stuttering is Sea Green (Sea Foam Blue).

Gold

Orange

Peach

Amber

• Appendix Cancer - Extremely rare condition, affecting an estimated 600 to 1,000 Americans each year. Primary lymphomas can occur in the appendix.

Pearl, White or Clear Ribbons

White

Pink

Purple

Lavender

Periwinkle

Violet

Orchid

• Testicular Cancer. There is debate about the color for testicular cancer awareness and ribbons, however orchid, a purple/violet color, has long been recognized as the official color for testicular cancer.

Purple and Silver Ribbons

• Purple and Silver are the colors representing International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). Silver is the awareness color for drug overdose (fatal or nonfatal), and purple is the awareness color for opioid addiction.

Red

Silver

Yellow

Awareness Symbols Causes and Meanings

Rainbow Butterfly Symbol

The rainbow butterfly symbol, based on the "rainbow infinity" neurodiversity symbol, grew from conversations on an ADHD Facebook group about what signs and symbols people with ADHD felt best represented them. The butterfly symbol pictured below resonated with many, symbolizing how ADHD minds often flit from one thing to the next. The rainbow butterfly symbol pictured is a current popular version.

Popular ADHD rainbow butterfly awareness symbol.

Autism Infinity Symbol

The Autism Infinity Symbol is becoming a popular alternative to the puzzle pieces autism symbols, as well as a symbol for Neurodiversity.

The Autism infinity symbol is becoming a popular alternative to the puzzle pieces autism symbols.

Blue Star Symbol

Represents the fight against colorectal cancer. The hope is the Blue Star Universal Symbol will be integrated into existing group awareness efforts and incorporated into materials as a representation of the collective fight against colorectal cancer.

Checkered Eye Symbol

The checkered eye is a wearable symbol indicating its wearer has a vision disability. It is a simple line drawing of an eye, the center (iris) is black and white checkers. The symbol bears the Checkered Eye and the text "LOW VISION".

Black and White Checkered Ribbon

Black and white checkered awareness ribbon denotes "Blindness is a Spectrum".

Cloud Ribbon

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia awareness. Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a birth defect, occurring while the fetus is developing.

Dark Blue and Orange/Orchid

The awareness ribbon colors for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is Dark Blue for Arthritis, and Orange/Orchid for Psoriasis.

Diabetes Awareness

Blue Diabetes Circle Awareness. The awareness ribbon color for Diabetes was gray. However, diabetes is now symbolized by the blue circle, as designated by the International Diabetes Federation.

Purple Ribbon with White Spots in Figure 8 Format

Lichen Sclerosus awareness ribbon for a chronic skin disease. The shade of purple may change, but the white spots and figure 8 shape is the main identifier.

Long Covid Awareness Ribbon

Three long covid awareness ribbons from left to right; Gray, Black and Teal; Gray, Black and Teal with the words "Long Covid" printed in white on the gray section; Gray, Black and Teal with the words "Long Covid" printed in Black on the gray section

The three colors of the long covid awareness ribbon represent; past, present, and future of Long COVID:

• Gray: Loss and Grief
• Teal: Hope and Support
• Black: Loneliness and Isolation

Multi-colored Puzzle Ribbon

Multi-colored puzzle ribbon with the words "Developmental Disabilities Awareness - Normal is Over-rated" on one side.

Teal Lichen Sclerosus Ribbon

Folded teal colored Lichen Sclerosus Awareness ribbon (U.K.) with the black printed words "Lichen Sclerosus" on one end and "Awareness" on the other end.

FOXG1 - Orange Ribbon with Fox Tail

FOXG1 is a severe neurological condition characterized by seizures, small head size, inability to control body movements, and lack of speech.

Multi-colored Flame

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Formerly known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).

Pink Ribbon - Red Ribbon

Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon will expand the availability of vital cervical cancer screening and treatment and breast care education.

Rainbow Ribbons

• Adrenocortical Carcinoma
• Rainbow Ribbon (Pastel Colors) - Researchers have found that puzzle pieces carry a negative connotation. A rainbow ribbon for autism represents the diversity of people on the spectrum and hearkens to the neurodiversity movement - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow_Ribbon_for_Autism_Pastel.png

Reddish Ribbon

Prurigo Nodularis (PN) awareness ribbon features a reddish color fading to "pinkish" with dots at the ends and the words Prurigo Nodularis printed on one side.

Trisomy Awareness

Trisomy Awareness ribbon - Created by the Support Organization for Trisomy to represent all forms of Trisomy.

Mosaic Trisomies

The ribbon features a mosaic pattern of red, blue, and yellow colors, with the words "Mosaic Trisomy Awareness" printed on it.

Blue Butterfly

The blue butterfly symbol is used to raise awareness of Turner Syndrome

Mint Green and Golden Yellow Butterfly

The Mint green and golden yellow butterfly symbol is used to raise awareness of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS).

Multiple Colored Ribbons Causes and Meanings

Beige - Giraffe Print Ribbons

Tethered spinal cord syndrome - Closely associated with spina bifida.

Black with Silver Sparkled Striped Zebra Ribbons

Stiff Person Syndrome

Black and Teal Zebra Print Ribbon

Erdheim-Chester Disease

Black and White Striped Ribbons

Black and White Striped Breast Implant Illness (BII) awareness ribbon with the words "Breast Implant Illness" printed black on white background.

Blue and Green Ribbons

Psuedotumor Cerebri

Blue, Orange, Green and Yellow Ribbons

Intestinal Malrotation - A congenital birth defect affecting the positioning of a person's intestines.

Blue and Red Ribbons

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Blue and red awareness ribbon for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The red half of the ribbon forms a question mark symbol.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) awareness ribbon submitted by Josh Ingram, founder and president of the Fill Your Lungs Foundation. The current ribbon for regular pulmonary fibrosis is half red and half blue. This represents oxygenated and deoxygenated blood traveling in and out of the lungs. Fill Your Lungs Foundation used the same colors, but made one distinct change - the symbol of a question mark depicted in red. This alludes to the unknown cause of IPF, the factor that separates it from its counterpart (PF). The design has been widely accepted and used as the awareness ribbon for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - even being published on the cover of a UK edition of "Pulmonary Fibrosis Weekly" magazine.

Blue and Purple

Blue and Teal

The Spina Bifida Association ribbon color is blue and teal and represents all forms of Spina Bifida including Occult Spinal Dysraphism, Spina Bifida Occulta, Meningocele and Myelomeningocele.

Blue/Purple - Teal/Purple - Turquoise/Purple

Suicide awareness and prevention (also see yellow ribbon).

Blue/Yellow Ribbons

Bone/Beige Trimmed in Royal Blue Ribbon

Hip Dysplasia

Brown with Pink Dots Ribbon

The Persistent Cloaca ribbon is brown to symbolize bowel issues, and the pink dots symbolize occurrence in females only.

Burgundy and Ivory

Burgundy and Purple

Arachnoiditis - Purple is for neuropathy and burgundy for meningitis.

Cow Print Ribbons

Omphalocele Awareness

Gold and Blue with Diamond Ribbon

Bohring-Opitz Syndrome

Gold and Silver Ribbons

Gray and Cream

Spondylolisthesis Awareness Ribbon - The colors for the ribbon are Cool Gray 10 for the Silver that represents Titanium (the metal used for spinal fusions when having surgery for spondylolisthesis) and spinal conditions. The PMS 726 is the cream color of the ribbon, and this represents spondylolisthesis.

Light Green/Dark Blue

Body-focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB) - General term for related complex disorders including hair pulling, skin picking, nail-biting.

Grey and Burgundy Ribbons

Arachnoid Cysts

Grey Ribbon with Red Heart

Thyroid Cancer

Hypotonia Awareness Ribbon

Multi-colored with the words "Hypotonia Awareness - One Inchstone at a Time".

Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness

Idiopathic Hypersomnia - Disease characterized primarily by severe excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

Oral Cancer Awareness Ribbons

Oral cancer ribbon consists of three colors; Lilac which is the universal color of Dentistry or Oral Stomatology, White and Red representing Leukoplakia and Erythroplakia (white and red spots respectively) which predominantly considered as tissue manifestation seen in most of the oral pre-malignancy (cancer) conditions - Awareness ribbon design credit: Arturo P. De Leon, DMD, MAEd, FPPS; Dean of College of Dentistry, Our Lady of Fatima University, Current President Philippine Association of Dental Colleges - Larger ribbons to help spread awareness can be found at: Ribbon 1 - Ribbon 2 - Ribbon 3.

Ivory with Rose Ribbons

The official awareness ribbon color for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is Ivory and also includes a rose picture.

Lime Green with DNA Strand Ribbon

MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome - Neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability, autistic features, epilepsy, and abnormal movements.

Mandibulofacial Dysostosis with Microcephaly

The Mandibulofacial Dysostosis with Microcephaly ribbon is royal blue with a yellow border, and yellow letters MFDM on the left bottom portion of the ribbon. The ribbon design combines craniofacial and microcephaly colors.

Orange and Green

Synergy Saturday and Healthy Self - A weekly wellness project and health awareness initiative with free health screenings, risk assessments, giveaways, and health education handouts for poor health and poverty alleviation - synergysaturday.com

Orange and Navy Blue

Human Rights for Family Caregivers Awareness

Orchid and Orange

Pink and Blue

Pink / Blue

Clubfoot - A clubfoot, or talipes equinovarus (TEV), is a birth defect. The foot is twisted in (inverted) and down. Without treatment, persons afflicted often appear to walk on their ankles, or on the sides of their feet. Ponseti International Association (PIA) has designated June 3rd as World Clubfoot Day.

Pink Purple and Teal Ribbons

Thyroid Cancer

Purple and Black

• Tracheostomy Awareness - The ribbon is two-tone, with one side being purple and the other black.
• Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Awareness - Right half of the ribbon is purple, and the left half is black.

Purple / Blue

GNA01 Gene Mutation Disorder - The awareness ribbon is colored purple and blue, with the words "Epilepsy" written on the purple part and "Movement Disorder" written on the blue part.

Purple / Green

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) - Purple/Green Ribbon with the words "Sod Awareness" printed in white on the purple side.

Purple and Green Ribbons

Purple, Blue, Marigold, Ribbons

Bladder Cancer Awareness

Purple and Teal with White Stars Ribbon

The Necrotizing fasciitis - Purple and teal with white stars representing those who lost the battle with this disease.

Purple, Teal and Green

Medullary Sponge Kidney (Cacchi-Ricci disease).

Purple and White

Sarcoidosis - Snowflake signifies no two Sarcoidosis Sufferers are affected in the same way.

Purple and Yellow

Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Puzzle Ribbon

• Autism awareness
• Asperger's Syndrome

Quilt Design Ribbon

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) - Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) - The ribbon is based on a crazy quilt design made of various colors and shapes of fabric. An alternative design preferred by some is based on multi-colored stained glass.

Red and White

Red and Zebra Striped Ribbons

Hashimoto's Encephalitis, Hashimoto's Encephalopathy, Non-vasculitic Autoimmune Meningoencephalitis, Steroid-responsive Encephalopathy associated with Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

Red with White Border Ribbon

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Awareness

Red / Orange

Rare Adipose Disorders, Dercum's Disease (Adiposis Dolorosa), Madelung's Disease (Launois-Bensaude Syndrome), Multiple Familial Lipomatosis MFL and Multiple Symmetrica.

Red and Gold

Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAIT) Awareness (NAITP or NAIT or NATP or NAT for short, or fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, FNAIT, feto-maternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, FMAITP or FMAIT).

Red White and Black

Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency - Two awareness ribbons are listed for Pernicious anemia, both ribbons are colored red, white, and black. The second ribbon has the words "Pernicious Anaemia" written on the black part, and B12 Deficiency on the red part. Pernicious Anaemia is believed to be an autoimmune disease. Courtesy of Georgia Dent (B12ribbons@outlook.com), Ribbon design is copyrighted.

Red and Yellow

• Hepatitis C
• HIV/HCV Co-Infection

Silver and Blue

Corpus Callosum

Silver, Red and Zebra

Autoimmune Encephalitis

Green Lanyard or Ribbon with Sunflowers

The Sunflower Lanyard and Awareness Ribbon is a growing initiative to aid the wearer with hidden or invisible disabilities receive more support in public places such as airports, shopping centers, and transport facilities.

Teal and Black

International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) Awareness

Teal and White

Cervical Cancer

White with Blue Outline

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

White with Navy Stripe

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - (Aran-Duchenne, Gehrig's Disease, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Motor Neuron Disease)

Yellow and Multicolor Ribbons

Gilbert's Syndrome

White Ribbon with Red Spots

• Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (Hives) - Itchy red or skin-colored welts. The condition is considered chronic hives if the welts appear for more than 6 weeks - and recur frequently over months or years. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria can be very uncomfortable and interfere with sleep and daily activities. Antihistamines and anti-itch medications provide relief for many people.
• Granuloma Annulare Awareness - Granuloma annulare is a chronic skin condition that causes raised reddish or skin-colored bumps (lesions) in a ring pattern, usually on the hands and feet.

Zebra Ribbons (Black and White)

Inclusion Awareness Ribbon

Dr. Joanna Baker-Rogers (Director, Busy Life Ltd, www.Busy-life.co.uk) submitted an Awareness Ribbon design for Inclusion - one that raises awareness of how everyone should be included in everything, regardless of race, ability, gender, etc. She chose the three primary colors, as these are the colors that every other color is made from. Applying this to inclusion means that everyone is included. This is not the same as diversity. Diversity means including marginalized, minority groups. Inclusion means including everyone; for example, non-disABLED people who constitute the majority of the population. The RGB codes are:

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How Do I Register an Awareness Ribbon Color or Design?

Awareness Ribbons are not a centralized idea, there isn't really an official place to go to register a design, or color. Currently, awareness ribbons are considered to be in the public domain in most countries, and a simple ribbon of a particular color is generally not considered sufficiently original and creative enough to be copyrighted by a person - or group. However, in a few cases, several particular designs have been granted a special trademark status. E.g. Canada has granted "official mark" status for the pink (breast cancer) awareness ribbons to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

If you are designing your own awareness ribbon and need color ideas, refer to our comprehensive list of HEX and RGB color codes.

How Do I Submit an Awareness Ribbon Color or Design?

You are welcome to submit an awareness ribbon color and design to add to our list provided it meets the following criteria:

• When submitting an awareness ribbon, or design, please provide an example(s) of where the ribbon is currently used, e.g., web-page address, organization etc.
• Do NOT post, or redesign, awareness ribbons that are trademarked - (TM), (R). Some ribbons, including style, color, and design are copyrighted, you should thoroughly research the ribbon design you are wishing to submit to avoid possible copyright infringement.
• To avoid listing several ribbons or designs for the same cause, the awareness ribbon or design you wish to submit MUST be recognized as the most popular one chosen for the cause it represents - Different styles and colors recognized by different countries are OK.

To submit an awareness ribbon, or if you know a ribbon, or cause, we have listed is not correct, or if you know of an awareness ribbon color, or cause, we have missed, please contact us.

Awareness Bracelet Colors

An awareness band, awareness bracelet, or wristband, is defined as a bracelet of various colors on which a slogan is sometimes written, usually sold to raise awareness for charitable causes. These plastic wristbands are available in nearly every color, or colors, and are constructed from material such as silicone, fabric, rubber, or plastic. Awareness bracelets sometimes carry embossed messages demonstrating the wearer's support of a certain cause, or charitable organization. Awareness bracelets generally use the same, or similar colors to awareness ribbons.

Relevant Resources

• Cancer Awareness: Color Chart of Ribbon Colors for Cancers - List, table and printable chart outlining the colors of awareness ribbons that represent different types of cancer and their causes.
• Mood Colors: Meaning and Associations of Color Psychology - Chart showing various colors, the color meaning and what it symbolizes, for those who may be seeking ideas in designing new colored awareness bracelets and ribbons.
• Calendar of US and International Awareness Days, Weeks and Months - List of U.S. National and U.N. International commemorative observance and awareness days, weeks, months to commemorate medical research or ethical cause of importance.
• Notable LGBT Awareness Dates and Events - List of important LGBT+ community awareness remembrance dates and coming events in respect to sexual orientation, gender identity, transgenderism, transsexualism, and intersexuality.
• U.N. International Awareness and Commemorative Dates - List of International days of observance established by the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• List of U.S. Presidential Proclamation Dates - List of annual awareness and observance dates including days, weeks and months, as recognized by U.S. presidential proclamation.

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