Awareness Ribbon and Bracelet Colors and Meanings

 

I always see people wearing ribbons or bracelets to support different organizations/ disease awareness, and I wonder what color is for what? It can be confusing. Some colors and awareness ribbons have multiple meanings. We did the best we could to compile a list of colors and meanings from multiple sources and we checked with many of the foundations represented for accuracy.

Awareness Ribbons by Color

Pink Ribbon :
Meaning: Most commonly associated with breast cancer awareness, this ribbon is also a symbol for birth parents, and childhood cancer awareness (alternative color: light blue)
Yellow Ribbon :
Meaning: We’ve all seen this symbol used to support our troops, but it is also a symbol for MIA/POW, suicide prevention, adoptive parents, amber alerts, bladder cancer, spina bifida, endometriosis, and a general symbol for hope. A yellow ribbon with a heart is used to represent the survivors left behind after a suicide.
Pale Yellow Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of spina bifida
Red Ribbon :
Meaning: Most commonly associated with the fight against AIDS and HIV, this ribbon also is a symbol for heart disease, stroke, substance abuse, MADD, DARE, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Burgundy Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of brain aneurysm, Cesarean section (worn upside down), headaches, hemangioma, vascular malformation, hospice care, multiple myeloma, William’s syndrome, Thrombophilia, Antiphospholid Antibody Syndrome, and adults with disabilities.
Purple Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, domestic violence, ADD, alzheimer’s, religious tolerance, animal abuse, the victims of 9/11 including the police and firefighters, Crohn’s disease and colitis, cystic fibrosis, lupus, leimyosarcoma, and fibromyalgia.
Lavender Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol for general cancer awareness. It can also be a symbol for epilepsy, and rett syndrome.
Periwinkle Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of eating disorders and pulmonary hypertension.
Blue Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of CFS/ME, drunk driving, child abuse, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), the victims of hurricane Katrina, dystonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), alopecia, Education, Epstein-Barr Virus, Save the Music, colon cancer.
Blue and Green Ribbon for Intracranial Hypertension
Dark Blue Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of arthritis, child abuse prevention, victim’s rights, free speech, water quality, and water safety
Light Blue Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of childhood cancer (alternative color: pink), prostate cancer, Trisomy 18, and scleroderma.
Teal Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol for ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers as well as sexual assault, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and tsunami victims.
Green Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of EDS, childhood depression, missing children, open records for adoptees, environmental concerns, kidney cancer, tissue/organ donation, homeopathy, Lyme Disease, and worker and driving safety.
Orange Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, leukemia, hunger, cultural diversity, humane treatment of animals, and self-injury awareness.
White Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of innocence, victims of terrorism, violence against women, peace, right to life, bone cancer, adoptees, and retinal blastoma.
Pearl Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol for emphysema, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and multiple sclerosis.
Black Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of mourning, melanoma, and gang prevention.
Brown Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is an anti-tobacco symbol as well as a symbol of colon cancer, colorectal cancer.
Grey Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of diabetes, asthma, and brain cancer.
Silver Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol for children with disabilities, Parkinson’s disease, and mental illnesses such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.
Gold Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol for childhood cancer.

Clear Ribbon (see-through):  Lung Cancer. Clear ribbon to represent clear lungs.
Jigsaw Puzzle Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for autism.
Lace Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for osteoporosis.
Pink and Blue Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death due to SIDS or other causes.
Flag Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for both the victims and heroes of the 9/11 attacks. It is also a symbol of patriotism and support of our troops. In addition, it is a symbol of fireworks safety.
Rainbow Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol of gay pride and support for the GLBT community and their quest for equal rights.
Yellow with Black polkadots: UK Fibro Awareness ribbon.
Red & Yellow Ribbon: Hepatitis C awareness
Black and White (zebra) Ribbon: Carcinoid
This list is provided for informational purposes only. If you found it helpful, please feel free to LINK to this page. We welcome any opportunity to improve this page so if you see any errors or omissions, please contact us.
Article written by Christine Miserandino, © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com
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* If you found this list helpful, you may also like:
Helpful Medical Abbreviations

  • Heidi Buck

    I am glad to see there is one for ITP i have it havent had an issue for about a little over 6 yrs but i have a friend who has a cousin that has issues all the time her and i have the invisible illness

  • shahidullah

    You are so awesome! I don’t think I’ve read through anything like that before. So wonderful to discover somebody with unique thoughts on this subject. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with some originality!
    CRAFTING A HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS DIET FOR ARTHRITIS PAIN REDUCTION

  • Anika Francis

    oh thank you

  • Anika Francis

    what is the colour of the ODD ribbon

  • Strphani R.

    Yellow and Black ribbon is for Spondylolisthesis

  • Nikki

    Is Blue, prevention of bullying, and I though green was depression. I want to figure this out before I get the tattoo for bullying and depression.

  • Mallory

    What about chronic pain or arachnoiditis? That’s incurable and extremely debilitating.

  • Amy

    my daughter has this. usually I see blue ribbons but I’m leaning towards zebra because its a rare disease.

  • Alice Price

    also autism

  • Alice Price

    Green is also as a general sweep for mental health

  • Tracy C

    the blue paisley ribbon is the new ribbon for thyroid disease awareness 🙂

  • Krys

    So lupus is both orange & purple? I want to do something special for my mom & I want to know the exact color, pls help !!

  • Lei

    Would u happen to know what color could represent surviving a vicious almost fatal attack (stabbing)??

  • jade

    where can we get the ribbons from the black and white (zebra) one in particular??

  • Amy

    What about a ribbon for parents who lose their children? Not infants but like grade school ages? My son passed away 3 months ago and was only 7. He didn’t have any illness but was in a terrible accident. Is their a ribbon for that?

  • Amanda

    I am going into Psychology and have done some research on mental illness colors… Here are some I have found. Schizophrenia is GOLD. Bipolar/Mood Disorder is SILVER. Anorexia is RED. Bulimia is PURPLE. EDNOS is PINK. Depression is BLUE. Self Harm is ORANGE/BLACK. Fasting is GREEN. Suicide is YELOOW (sometimes with black). Obesity is TURQUOISE. Anxiety/Panic Disorder/ OCD is TEAL. If you add a WHITE bead it means you are in recovery from it.

  • Amanda

    Are you still making them? How much per bracelet?

  • Angie

    The zebra ribbon is for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) too! (:

  • gravesgirl00

    Don’t forget teal, pink, and purple ribbon for thyroid diseases!

  • Tammie Deaton Hice

    Jobs syndrome does it have a color? Only 250 causes reported and no cure it doesn’t get any reconizition …my niece has it means her immune system doesn’t do its job:(

  • Carpit

    What color ribbon for chronic pain

  • Renada PrayersinNeed Bivens

    What color for factor 5? Bad blood!

  • denise

    teal is anxiety

  • Kayla Tabolt

    I will be making bracelets with many different colors to support the above listings.. if any one is interested in purchasing one (for cheap) Email me!

  • Shawn Wray

    The zebra ribbon is also a symbol for those who suffer with primary immune deficiencies.

  • Rushell Lazalier

    What color is for GBS/CIDP it is a rare disease where your auto immune system attacks your body and can leave you paralyzed. My niece was just diagnosed with this and i am trying to learn more about this disease.

  • Pamela

    Is there a colour for premature babies?

  • Jennifer Linton

    what would ODD, oppositional defiant disorder, fall under? I have a child that is ODD and would like to make a bracelet and don’t know what color to make it.

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

    Zebra is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) I have type three. It’s rare and there’s no cure.

  • Lupus survivor

    Purple is Lupus as well. For some reason no one seems to know about Lupus..

  • jessicar

    Blue and yellow is down syndrome awareness

  • Lynn Hixson

    Trisomy 13 ribbon is yellow, pink and green

  • Lynn Hixson

    Trisomy 13 ribbon is yellow, pink and green,

  • Lynn Hixson

    Trisomy 13 ribbon is yellow, pink and green.

  • Lynn Hixson

    Trisomy 13 ribbon is yellow, pink and green

  • Self Harm Survivor.

    Black also means Self-Harm awareness.

  • Ytearie DeValt-Stevenson

    Ribbons: Domestic Violence Survivors wear Purple and PTSD wears a Teal!

  • Lymphoma Survivor

    sorry “Lymphoma”….i was typing fast…spelled it wrong

  • Lymphoma Survivor

    Don’t forget Lime Green Ribbon for Lympoma! (Lime green color specifically for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma)

  • Carmen Hansen

    I am wearing a teal and white ribbon. Just lost my momma to cervical cancer the 17th. Want everyone to know how important it is to stay up with ur check ups..

  • mr

    My dad is a bone marrow donor for his brother my uncle what color ribbon can be used? I think its green but not positive.

  • je

    There is a type of puzzle ribbon that represents dissociative identity disorder.

  • Amy

    Does anyone know the colors for NEC?

  • aimee

    I just gave birth to twins two weeks ago one of my twin was diagnostic with trisomy 13 an my son came with the idea to make a bracelet but need to know if there is a color assign to trisomy 13

  • i’m so sorry to hear your sick…i got on this site to help promote invisible illnesses.. i want to make ribbons and hand them out..i have similiar prob that you have, it;s a terrible feeling to feel sick everyday,,, i have colostomy bag. i’m 35 yrs old, my name is andrea, i will keep u in prayer…god bless

  • Alyson61882

    Green is also for muscular dystrophy