Skip to Main Content

Multicultural Resources: Awareness Ribbon Colors & Months

Research resources covering diversity including socioeconomic, political, psychological, and cultural experiences and positions between and among individuals and groups.

Dual Color Ribbons

Red & Yellow Ribbon

The red and yellow ribbon, also known as the coronavirus awareness ribbon, made its debut in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This ribbon is used to represent not just COVID-19, but coronavirus in general.  The full list of red & yellow ribbon meanings includes:

  • Coronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • HIV/HCV Co-Infection (April)
  • Hepatitis C (May)

Black & Gold Ribbon

A black and gold awareness ribbon is used to represent a platelet donation, which is collected by the Red Cross and used to help people who are undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy.  The full list of black & gold ribbon meanings includes:

  • Platelet Donation

Black & Navy Ribbon

While you most often see black and navy ribbons as a tribute to police officers lost in the line of duty, you’ll also see this color combo used to raise awareness for ocular melanoma.  The full list of black & navy ribbon meanings includes:

  • Ocular Melanoma
  • Police Officers Lost in the Line of Duty

Black & White Ribbon

A black and white awareness ribbon is used to represent acute disseminated encephalomyelitis as well as vaccine injuries.  The full list of black & white ribbon meanings includes:

  • Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
  • Vaccine Injury

Blue & Black Ribbon

Blue & Black awareness ribbon with another color takes on a different meaning. For instance, blue and black symbolizes the loss of, or memory of, a brother, father, son, or male loved one.  The full list of blue & black ribbon meanings includes:

  • Loss of, on in memory of, a brother, father, son, or male loved one

Blue & Gray Ribbon

The blue and gray ribbon is used to represent awareness and support of those battling Type 1 Diabetes.

The full list of blue & gray ribbon meanings includes:

  • Diabetes (Type 1)

Blue & Orange Ribbon

The blue and orange ribbon symbolizes the memory of Frankie Delgado who died at the age of 4 from a phenomenon known as “dry drowning.” This rare condition occurs when there’s too much water in the lungs.  The full list of blue & orange ribbon meanings includes:

  • Dry Drowning (In Memory of Baby Frankie)
  • #FrankieDryDrowningAwareness

Blue & Silver Ribbon

The blue and silver ribbon is associated with many causes that affect children including fetal alcohol syndrome and Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.  The full list of blue & silver ribbon meanings includes:

  • Brachial Plexus Injuries
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1)

Blue & White Ribbon

Blue and white ribbons are used for causes related to teen cancer and femoral acetabular impingement, a condition in which an extra bone grows along the hip joint.  The full list of blue & white ribbon meanings includes:

  • Lou Gehrig's Disease (May)
  • Teen Cancer
  • Femoral Acetabular Impingement

Green & Blue Ribbon

The color combo of blue and green on an awareness ribbon represents many genetic disorders and viruses including cytomegalovirus and neurofibromatosis.  The full list of green & blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Adrenoleukodystrophy
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Green & Orange Ribbon

The two colors on this awareness ribbon are fitting as green and orange represents a dual diagnosis. This can be any combination of diseases or symptoms.  The full list of green & orange ribbon meanings includes:

  • Dual Diagnosis

Lavender & Orange Ribbon

Lavender is used to represent cancer in general, but when it’s paired with orange, it helps raise awareness for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.  The full list of lavender & orange ribbon meanings includes:

  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Psoriatic Arthritis

Peach & Gray Ribbon

If you see peach and gray together on a ribbon, it’s symbolizing an end to clergy sexual abuse.

The full list of peach & gray ribbon meanings includes:

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse

Pink & Black Ribbon

If you combine pink with another color, like black, it takes on its own meaning. This color combo is associated with the loss of, or memory of, a sister, mother, daughter, or female loved one.  The full list of pink & black ribbon meanings includes:

  • Loss of, in memory of, a sister, mother, daughter or female loved one

Pink & Blue Ribbon

The pink and blue ribbon are used in sad circumstances of child loss, birth defects, prematurity, and a number of other causes. The full list of pink & blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Amniotic Fluid Embolism (March)
  • Baby Safe Haven
  • Birth Defects (January)
  • Breat Cancer (male) (April)
  • Child Loss
  • Genital Integrity
  • Hyperemesis Gravidarum (October)
  • Infant Diseases
  • Infertility (April)
  • Miscarriage/Stillbirth (October)
  • Mourning the Loss of a Baby or Infant
  • Premature Birth (November)
  • Pro-Life
  • Prostate and Breast Cancer (Combined)
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (Ocober)

Pink & Red Ribbon

While you might think of Valentine’s Day, pink and red mean so much more when they’re paired together in a ribbon. They represent women living with HIV and how they’re five times more likely to develop cervical cancer. The full list of pink & red ribbon meanings includes:

  • Women living with HIV are 5 times more likely to develop cervical cancer

Pink & Teal Ribbon

The colorful pairing of pink and teal is used to support many causes related to Breast Cancer Awareness, such as different forms of breast cancer and the combination of ovarian and breast cancer.  The full list of pink & teal ribbon meanings includes:

  • BRCA1 (Breast Cancer)
  • BRCA2 (Breast Cancer)
  • Hereditary Breast Cancer (September)
  • Ovarian and Breast Cancer (Combined)

Purple & Blue Ribbon

Blue is a popular color to pair with purple. This awareness ribbon is used for rheumatoid arthritis, cult awareness, preeclampsia, and many other causes.  The full list of purple & blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
  • Alternating Hemiplegia
  • Childhood Stroke
  • Cult Awareness
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
  • Pediatric Stroke (May)
  • Preeclampsia
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (February)
  • Rheumatoid Disease
  • Smith-Magenis Syndrome

Purple & Red Ribbon

At this point in time, a purple and red ribbon is used to support only two causes. These include migraines and Raynaud’s Disease, which is a condition where some parts of the body feel numb and cold in certain situations.  The full list of purple & red ribbon meanings includes:

  • Migraine
  • Raynaud’s Disease/Phenomenon

Purple & Teal Ribbon

Teal and purple ribbons are used to represent many important situations that need attention. These include domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicide.  The full list of purple & teal ribbon meanings includes:

  • Domestic Violence
  • Sexual Assault
  • Suicide (September)
  • Surviving Family Members of Suicide

Red & Black Ribbon

Red and black may represent the Chicago Bulls, but on an awareness ribbon, these colors symbolize important movements and causes like Black Lives Matter and Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS).  The full list of red & black ribbon meanings includes:

  • Black Lives Matter
  • In Memory of Murder Victims
  • Murder Victims 
  • Sepsis
  • Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS)

Red & Blue Ribbon

Red and blue mixed together usually makes purple, but if they’re combined on an awareness ribbon, they represent various heart defects and syndromes as well as other ailments such as pulmonary fibrosis.  The full list of red & blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Congenital Heart Diseases (February)
  • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
  • Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome
  • Noonan Syndrome
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Tricuspid Atresia

Red & Gray Ribbon

The red and gray ribbon currently only has one cause it represents: polymicrogyria, which is a condition of abnormal brain development before birth.  The full list of red & gray ribbon meanings includes:

  • Polymicrogyria

Red & Orange Ribbon

The red and orange ribbon is associated with myeloproliferative disorders, which is a group of slow-growing blood cancers in the bone marrow.  The full list of red & orange ribbon meanings includes:

  • Myelofibrosis
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders
  • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)

Red & Pearl Ribbon

If you combine red with a pearl color, you’ve got a ribbon that represents latex allergies. This condition causes itchiness, hives, and in some severe cases, anaphylaxis.  The full list of red & pearl ribbon meanings includes:

  • Latex Allergy

Red, White, & Blue Ribbon

The red, white, & blue ribbon is all about American patriotism and is used as a remembrance for the attacks on September 11th as well as a symbol of military and troop support.  The full list of red, white, & blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Military and Troop Support
  • Patriotism
  • Remembering September 11, 2001

Silver & Gold Ribbon

The metallic mix of silver and gold is used to represent various hearing disorders like deafness and hyperacusis. It’s also used for diseases that affect the ears like tinnitus.  The full list of silver & gold ribbon meanings includes:

  • Deafness
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Hearing Loss
  • Hyperacusis
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Tinnitus
  • VACTERL

Teal & White Ribbon

The teal and white awareness ribbon is used as an agent of hope for those struggling with cervical cancer. Many organizations have used this ribbon to create change.  The full list of teal & white ribbon meanings includes:

  • Cervical Cancer (January)

Yellow & Blue Ribbon

Yellow and blue on a ribbon help raise awareness for Down Syndrome and a variety of other causes.  The full list of yellow & blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Bohring-Optiz Syndrome
  • CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) (September)
  • Cushing Sydrome
  • Dercum’s Disease (Adiposis Dolorosa)
  • Down Syndrome (October)
  • Ukraine Support

Yellow & Purple Ribbon

A yellow and purple ribbon is used to raise awareness for illnesses that affect internal organs and characteristic facial features.  The full list of yellow & purple ribbon meanings includes:

  • Autoimmune Hepatitis
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Sotos Syndrome

Other Types of Awareness Ribbons

Kente Cloth Ribbon

The Kente cloth is a type of silk and cotton fabric that’s native to Ghana. On an awareness ribbon, this pattern is used to raise support for women of color who are suffering from breast cancer.  The full list of kente cloth ribbon meanings includes:

  • Women of Color Breast Cancer

Blue & White Pinstripes Ribbon

A blue ribbon with white stripes has the same spirit as the ice bucket challenge. It supports causes related to ALS and Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  The full list of blue & white pinstripes ribbon meanings includes:

  • ALS
  • Lou Gehrig’s Disease
  • Motor Neuron Diseases

Red & White Pinstripes Ribbon

The color combo of red & white pinstripes is used to represent many causes, not limited to oral cancer, aplastic anemia, and deep vein thrombosis.  The full list of red & white pinestripes ribbon meanings includes:

  • Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Oral Cancer
  • Pulmonary Dysplasia
  • Septo-Optic Dysplasia
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Polka Dot Ribbon

The polka dot awareness ribbon is used to represent those who are suffering from blindness. This condition affects more than 3.4 million people in the United States.  The full list of polka dot ribbon meanings includes:

  • Blindness

Puzzle Piece Ribbon

The puzzle piece ribbon is used to raise awareness for every type of autism on the spectrum. According to the Autism Society, the pattern reflects the complex nature of this developmental disorder.  The full list of puzzle piece ribbon meanings includes:

  • Asperger’s Syndrome
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders (April)

Rainbow Ribbon

The rainbow awareness ribbon is used to support those who are fighting for marriage equality and LGBTQ rights. This is an ongoing battle for an estimated 4.5% of the U.S. population who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.  The full list of rainbow ribbon meanings includes:

  • LGBTQ Pride
  • LGBTQ Rights
  • Marriage Equality

Zebra Ribbon

The zebra print is used to raise awareness for rare diseases and disorders. It’s also used for specific conditions like carcinoid cancer and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  The full list of zebra ribbon meanings includes:

  • Carcinoid Cancer (November)
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (May)
  • Neuroendocrine Cancer (November)
  • Rare Diseases and Disorders (February)

Solid Ribbon Colors

Pink Ribbons

Pink is a power color as it’s used to support a number of worthwhile causes, including breast cancer awareness, Paget’s disease, and overall women’s health.  The full list of pink ribbon meanings includes:

  • Birth Parents
  • Breast Cancer Awareness (October)
  • Eosinophilic Diseases
  • “Fight Like a Girl”
  • Gendercide
  • Nursing Mothers (August)
  • Paget’s Disease
  • Respecting Birth Parents & Nursing Parents
  • Women’s Health

Hot Pink Ribbon

A dark shade of hot pink is used for many different causes, such as cleft palate, eosinophilic diseases, and gendercide.  The full list of hot pink ribbon meanings includes:

  • Cleft Palate
  • Eosinophilic Disease
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis
  • Inflammatory Breast Cancer
  • Stop Gendercide

Peach Ribbon

A lighter, peach ribbon is used to raise awareness for a variety of cancers and other causes.  The full list of peach ribbon meanings includes:

  • Endometrial Cancer (September)
  • Invisible Illness
  • Uterine Cancer (September)
  • Vaginal Cancer

Yellow Ribbon

The yellow awareness ribbon is used to show support for our troops and to bring attention to Prisoners of War or Missing in Action, (POW/MIA), adoption, and many different types of cancer. Yellow is also the suicide prevention color. The full list of yellow ribbon meanings includes:

  • Adenosarcoma (November)
  • Amber Alert (January)
  • Bladder Cancer (May)
  • Adoptive Parents (November)
  • Bone Cancer
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (January)
  • Craniofacial Acceptance
  • Endometriosis (March)
  • Epithelioid Sarcoma
  • Ewing Sarcoma (July)
  • Microcephaly
  • Missing Persons (May)
  • Myxoid Liposarcoma
  • Obesity (September)
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Prisoners of War (September)
  • Refugees Welcome
  • Sarcoma (July)
  • Spina Bifida (October)
  • Suicide Prevention (May)
  • The Disappeared

Amber Ribbon

Amber is a precious gem and a darker shade of yellow. On an awareness ribbon, it stands to symbolize appendix cancer and pseudomyxoma peritonei. The full list of amber ribbon meanings includes:

  • Appendix Cancer
  • Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Red Ribbon

Red gets a lot of use in the world of awareness ribbons. This bold color stands to symbolize addiction, blood cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis, and zika virus among many other causes.  The full list of red ribbon meanings includes:

  • Addiction (September)
  • Adult Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD)
  • AIDS (July)
  • Alcohol Dependence
  • Apert Syndrome
  • Bleeding Disorders
  • Blood Cancer
  • Blood Clotting Disorders
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans
  • Burn Victims
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Cardiovascular Disease (February)
  • Cavernous Angioma
  • Clotting Factor Deficiencies
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  • Congenital Heart Defects
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Congenital Heart Failure
  • Congestive Heart Failure (February)
  • Courage and Inspiration
  • DARE – Red Ribbon Week (April)
  • Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
  • Disaster Relief
  • Distracted Driving
  • Driving Under the Influence Prevention (April)
  • Drug Addiction
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa (October)
  • Erythromelalgia
  • Evans Syndrome (February)
  • Factor XI Deficiency
  • Fanconi Anemia
  • Female Genital Mutilation
  • Giant Cell Arteritis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA)
  • Heart Defects
  • Heart Disease & Stroke (September)
  • Hemolytic Anemia
  • Hemophilia (March)
  • High Blood Pressure (May)
  • HIV/AIDS (December)
  • Huffing
  • Human Trafficking – #REDSANDPROJECT
  • Hypertension (November)
  • Long Q-T Syndrome (September)
  • Marfan Syndrome (February)
  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving MADD (April)
  • Platelet Donation
  • Poland Syndrome
  • Prinzmetal Angina
  • Red Ribbon Week
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Sinus Tachycardia
  • Substance Abuse (April)
  • Support Our Troops
  • Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) 
  • Trafficking in Persons – Red Sand Project
  • Tuberculosis (March)
  • Vasculitis
  • Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) (March)
  • Wegener’s Granulomatosis
  • Women’s Heart Health
  • Zika Virus

Burgundy Ribbon

Burgundy is a darker, wine-colored shade of red. This awareness ribbon color symbolizes disabled adults, headaches, meningitis, and many other causes.  The full list of burgundy ribbon meanings includes:

  • Adhesions (September)
  • Amyloidosis
  • Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (June)
  • AV Malformation (September)
  • Brain Aneurysm (September)
  • Cesarean (April)
  • Congenital Vascular Cavernous Malformation
  • Cystic Hygroma
  • Disabled Adults (October)
  • Factor V Leiden (March)
  • Headache
  • Hemangioma & Vascular Malformation (May)
  • Hemiplegic Migraine
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Hereditary Hemochromatosis (May)
  • Hirschsprung’s Disease
  • Hospice Care (November)
  • Hughes Syndrome (May)
  • Lymphatic Malformation (May)
  • Meningitis (August)
  • Multiple Myeloma (March)
  • Parkes Weber Syndrome
  • PHACES (March)
  • Port-Wine Stain Birthmark
  • Post-Polio Syndrome (October)
  • Sickle Cell Anemia (September)
  • Sturge-Weber Syndrome (June)
  • Thrombopphilia (March)
  • William's Syndrome (May)

Blue Ribbon

Blue ribbon awareness is a symbol of hope for many people. This color represents over 100 causes, including bullying, malaria, sex trafficking, rheumatism, and water safety.  The full list of blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (October)
  • Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS)
  • Alexander Disease
  • Alopecia Areata (September)
  • Angelman’s Syndrome
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis (April)
  • Apraxia (May)
  • Arthritis (May)
  • Arthrogryposis
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia
  • Autoimmune Autonomic Neuropathy
  • Autonomic Dysfunction
  • Behcet’s Disease (Silk Road Disease)
  • Brahcial Plexus Injuries (October)
  • Bullying
  • Bursitis
  • Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD)
  • Canada’s National Non-Smoking Week
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
  • Charge Syndrome
  • Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness (April)
  • Chondromalacia Patella
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (March)
  • Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
  • Coffin-Siris Syndrome
  • Colon Cancer (March)
  • Colorectal Cancer (March)
  • Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy
  • CRI DU CHAT Syndrome
  • Crime Victims Rights (April)
  • Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
  • Dandy-Walker Syndrome
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Dermatomyositis (Juvenile)
  • Drowning (August)
  • Dyspraxia
  • Dystonia (September)
  • Education
  • Epstein-Barr Virus (September)
  • Equal Access to Education
  • Erb’s Palsy (October)
  • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (March)
  • Familial Dysautonomia
  • Fibromuscular Dysplasia
  • Fibrous Dysplasia
  • Free Speech – Freedom of the Press (October)
  • Gout
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (May)
  • Human Trafficking (January)
  • Huntington’s Disease (May)
  • Hurricane Awareness (May)
  • Hydrocephalus (September)
  • Hydrocephaly
  • Hypotension (POTS)
  • Hystiocytosis Awareness (September)
  • Histiocytosis
  • Ichthyosis (May)
  • Inclusion Body Myositis
  • Infant Airway Defects
  • Infectious Arthritis
  • Inflammatory Arthritis
  • Juvenile Arthritis
  • Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JD)
  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
  • Klinefelter’s Syndrome
  • Langerhans Cells Histiocytosis (September)
  • Laryngomalacia
  • Leukodystrophy (September)
  • Malaria
  • McCune-Albright Syndrome
  • Me/CFIDS (May)
  • Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
  • Misophonia
  • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Myositis Neurocardiogenic Syncope (May)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Palindromic Rheumatism
  • Panhypopituitarism
  • Paralysis
  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica
  • Polymyositis
  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
  • Pseudogout
  • Reactive Arthritis
  • Rectal Cancer (March)
  • Reiter’s Syndrome
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Reye’s Syndrome (September)
  • Rheumatism
  • Save the Music in Our Schools
  • Save the Waves
  • Sensor Processing Disorder
  • Sex Slavery
  • Sex Trafficking
  • Short Bowel Syndrome (March)
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spondylarthritis
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (August)
  • Syringomyelia
  • Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
  • Tachycardia
  • Targeting Individuals of Bullying
  • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
  • Temporal Arteritis
  • Tendinitis
  • Transverse Myelitis (June)
  • Trash-Free Seas
  • Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS)
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
  • Unidentified Missing Persons
  • Usher Syndrome
  • Vocal Cord Dysfunction
  • Water Quality (August)
  • Water Safety (May)

Blue Jeans Ribbon

While blue jeans may make you think of pants, this look is also used to raise awareness. These ribbons are designed to support causes associated with congenital and genetic diseases.  The full list of blue jeans vribbon meanings includes:

  • Congenital and Genetic Diseases

Light Blue Ribbon

A light blue awareness ribbon is used to support a number of causes and organizations, including prostate cancer, acid attacks, and foster care.  The full list of light blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Acid Attacks
  • Addison’s Disease (May)
  • Adrenal Insufficiency
  • Behcets Disease (May)
  • Chronic Illness (September)
  • Cushing Syndrome (April)
  • DiGeorge Syndrome
  • Dysphagia
  • Foster Care (May)
  • Grave’s Disease (January)
  • Lymphedema (March)
  • Men’s Health (June)
  • Movember
  • Pro-Choice (March)
  • Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome
  • Prostate Cancer (September)
  • Spay and Neuter Pets (March)
  • Thyroid Disease (January)
  • Tracheomalacia
  • Trisomy 5Q
  • Trisomy 13
  • Trisomy 18/ Edwards’ Syndrome (March)
  • Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (December)

Perwinkle Blue Ribbon

Periwinkle, which is a blueish purplish color, is used on awareness ribbons as a symbol for causes related to anorexia, irritable bowel syndrome, and different types of cancer.  The full list of perwinkle blue ribbon meanings includes:

  • Acid Reflux Disease (November)
  • Anorexia Nervosa (February)
  • Eating Disorders (February)
  • Esophageal Cancer (April)
  • Gastric Cancer (November)
  • Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (April)
  • Pulmonary Hypertension (November)
  • Small Intestine Cancer
  • Stomach Cancer (November)

Turquoise Ribbon

Nearly 21 million people in the United States struggle with substance abuse. The turquoise ribbon is a sign of hope as it represents causes that support addiction recovery. It is also used to represent those who have a medical condition known as dysautonomia.  The full list of turquoise ribbon meanings includes:

  • Addiction Recovery
  • Dysautonomia

Teal Ribbon

A teal ribbon is used to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, rape, food allergies, Tourette Syndrome, and many other causes.  The full list of teal ribbon meanings includes:

  • Agoraphobia
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Anti Bullying Awareness (October)
  • Anxiety Disorders & Panic Attacks
  • Batten Disease
  • Child Sexual Abuse and Assault
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia
  • Food Allergies
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Gambling Addiction
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Gynecologic Cancer & Ovarian Cancer (September)
  • Heterotaxy Syndrome
  • Interstitial Cystitis & Bladder Pain Syndrome (September)
  • Juvenile Scleroderma
  • Military Sexual Assault
  • MRSA
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • No Body Shaming
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
  • Occipital Neuralgia
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Premature Ovarian Failure
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
  • Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
  • Rape
  • Scleroderma
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexual Assault on College Campuses
  • Sexual Violence
  • Social Anxiety
  • Stress Disorders
  • Systemic Sclerosis
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Women Murdered by Domestic Violence

Green Ribbon

The green ribbon is used to represent bipolar disorder and over 45 other causes including global warming, text-free driving, cerebral palsy, and genocide.  The full list of green ribbon meanings includes:

  • Achondroplasia
  • Adrenal Cancer
  • Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
  • Bile Duct Cancer (February)
  • Biliary Atresia
  • Bipolar Disorder (February)
  • Bone Marrow Disease
  • Bone Marrow Donor (November)
  • Brain Injury
  • Cerebral Palsy (May)
  • Cholangiocarcinoma (February)
  • Chromosome 12, Microdeletion
  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
  • Cirrhosis of the Liver
  • Cloves Syndrome
  • Depression (October)
  • Dermatillomania
  • Dwarfism (October)
  • Environmental Concerns (April)
  • Eye Cancer
  • Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (April)
  • Gallbladder Cancer
  • Gastroparesis (August)
  • Gastroschisis
  • Genocide
  • Glaucoma (January)
  • Global Warming
  • Gun Control (June)
  • Human Papilloma Virus (May)
  • In Favor of Medical Marijuana
  • Infantile Scoliosis
  • Ivemark Syndrome
  • Kabuki Syndrome
  • Kidney Disease/Renal Cell Carcinoma (March)
  • Literacy (October)
  • Liver Cancer & Liver Disease (September)
  • Liver Melanoma
  • Manic Depression (October)
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Mental Health (May)
  • Mental Illness (October)
  • Mental Retardation (March)
  • Missing Children
  • Mitochondrial Disease and Disorders (September)
  • Natural Disasters (September)
  • Nephrotic Syndrome (March)
  • Organ Transplant & Organ Donation (April)
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Cord Injury (May)
  • Stem Cell Donation (August)
  • Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome
  • Text-Free Driving (Distracted Driving)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (March)
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (May)

Light Green Ribbon

A light green ribbon is primarily used to raise awareness for sexually transmitted diseases, but it also represents causes related to chronic pelvic pain and Celiac Disease.  The full list of light green ribbon meanings includes:

  • Celiac Disease (May)
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain (September)
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) (May)
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) (April)

Lime Green Ribbon

The depression awareness color is lime green. This bright, vibrant color is also used for childhood depression, mood disorders, and as the mental health ribbon.  The full list of lime green ribbon meanings includes:

  • Achalasia
  • Alopecia Areata (September)
  • Auditory Processing Disorder
  • Babesiosis
  • Childhood Depression
  • Childhood Mental Health
  • Depression
  • Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (February)
  • Dysthymic Disorder
  • Essential Tremor (March)
  • Maternal Mental Health
  • Mental Health
  • Mental Illness
  • Mood Disorders
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Lyme Disease (May)
  • Lymphoma (September)
  • Maternal Mental Health
  • Mental Health
  • Mental Illness
  • Mood Disorders
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
  • Muscular Dystrophy (May)
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (September)
  • Pans/Pandas
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Postpartum Disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder
  • Sandhoff Disease (September)
  • Spasticity
  • Spinal Cord Disorders
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Trichotillomania
  • Williams Syndrome

Sea Green Ribbon

The sea green awareness ribbon is used to represent speech impediments like stuttering, stammering, and lisping.  The full list of sea green ribbon meanings includes:

  • Lisping
  • Stammering
  • Stuttering

Black Ribbon

The black ribbon symbol is often associated with mourning, but this color is also used for sleeping disorders and gang prevention.  The full list of black ribbon meanings includes:

  • Accidents (June)
  • Amish Support
  • Anti-Terrorism
  • B.R.A.V.E. (Black Ribbon Against Violence)
  • Funerals
  • Gang Prevention
  • Hypersomnia
  • Insomnia
  • Melanoma (May)
  • Memorials
  • Mourning (October)
  • Narcolepsy (March)
  • National Tragedies
  • POW/MIA (September)
  • Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (October)
  • Skin Cancer
  • Sleep Apnea (October)
  • Sleep Disorders (March)
  • Students for Gun Control
  • Trauma (May)

Purple Ribbon

The purple awareness ribbon is very popular. It’s used as a symbol of hope for pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, and over 70 other causes.  The full list of purple ribbon meanings includes:

  • Aicardi Syndrome
  • Alzheimer’s Disease (November)
  • Animal Protection and Welfare  (April)
  • Arachnoiditis
  • Arnold Chiari Malformation (September)
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Caregiver Appreciation
  • Chronic Pain
  • Chronic Pain in Women
  • Chronic Pancreatitis
  • Chronic Vestibular Migraine
  • Cornelia De Lange Syndrome
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Crohn’s Disease & Colitis (May)
  • CSF Leak (Spinal)
  • Cystic Fibrosis (May)
  • Dementia
  • Diabetic Neuropathy
  • Domestic Violence (October)
  • Dravet Syndrome
  • Drowning Impact
  • Drug Overdose
  • Eating Disorders
  • Elder Abuse
  • Epilepsy (November)
  • Fat Shaming and Skinny Shaming
  • Fibromyalgia (May)
  • Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
  • Hemicrania Continua
  • Hereditary Neuropathies
  • Homelessness (November)
  • Hurler Syndrome
  • Hurler-Scheie Syndrome
  • Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) (September)
  • Infantile Spasms
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • International Women’s Day
  • Lewy Body Dementia
  • Lupus (May)
  • Macular Degeneration (February)
  • Maroteaux Lamy Syndrome
  • Moebius Syndrome
  • Morquio Syndrome
  • Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) (October)
  • Multiple System Atrophy
  • Neuropathy – Hereditary
  • Opioid Addiction 
  • Pancreatic Cancer (November)
  • Pancreatitis (Chronic)
  • Pediatric SLE
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Pudendal Neuralgia
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (May)
  • Relay for Life 
  • Religious Tolerance
  • Rett Syndrome
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Scheie Syndrome
  • Seizure Disorders
  • Sjogren’s Syndrome (April)
  • Sly Syndrome
  • Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Children and Teens
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Turner Syndrome
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Vitiligo

Orchid Ribbon

The orchid ribbon is a lighter shade of purple that’s used to represent testicular cancer.  The full list of orchid ribbon meanings includes:

  • Testicular Cancer

Violet Ribbon

A dark shade of violet is used to support causes related to Hodgkin’s Disease, which is a cancer that occurs in the immune system and is often treatable.  The full list of violet ribbon meanings includes:

  • Hodgkin’s Disease (September)
  • Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Lavender Ribbon

Lavender is a lighter shade of purple that, when used on an awareness ribbon, represents any cancer that doesn’t have its own dedicated color already.  The full list of lavender ribbon meanings includes:

  • Cancer for which a color has not been designated (June)
  • Caregiver Awareness (November)
  • Foster Care (May)
  • General Cancer
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis
  • Infantile Spasms (December)
  • Rett Syndrome (October)
  • Epilepsy Awareness (November)

Brown Ribbon

Despite its harmful effects, 14 of every 100 adults in the United States still smoke cigarettes. The brown ribbon is a call-to-action that represents quitting once and for all.  The full list of brown ribbon meanings includes:

  • Familial Polyposis (March)
  • Great American Smokeout
  • Immigration (June)
  • Smoking Cessation (November)

Cloud Ribbon

The cloud ribbon is a sign of hope for those suffering from congenital diaphragmatic hernias. If you’re not familiar, this is a defect in the diaphragm that causes crowding near the heart and lungs making it difficult to breathe.  The full list of cloud ribbon meanings includes:

  • Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Cream Ribbon

A cream-colored or beige ribbon is used for illnesses that affect the spine, hip joints, and nervous system. These include degenerative disc disease, developmental dysplasia of the hip, and spinal muscular atrophy.  The full list of cream ribbon meanings includes:

  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Developmental Dysplasia/Dislocation of the Hip
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Gold Ribbon

A gold awareness ribbon is used to symbolize causes related to childhood cancer, neuroblastoma, and retinoblastoma. The latter two conditions are cancers that are found in the adrenal glands and retinas respectively.  The full list of gold ribbon meanings includes:

  • Childhood Cancer (September)
  • COPD (November)
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Retinoblastoma

Graphite Ribbon

A dark gray, or graphite, awareness ribbon is used to support the many people affected by lead poisoning. In fact, 1.2 million children were affected in the United States alone and only half of them got the treatment they needed.  The full list of graphite ribbon meanings includes:

  • Lead-Free Kids
  • Lead Poisoning

Gray Ribbon

A gray ribbon is used to raise awareness for a variety of illnesses and conditions that affect both adults and children, such as asthma, brain tumors, and diabetes.  The full list of gray ribbon meanings includes:

  • Allergies (May)
  • Aphasia (June)
  • Asthma (May)
  • Brain Cancer (May)
  • Brian Tumors (May)
  • Diabetes (November)
  • Glioblastoma
  • Hyperglycemia
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Parkinson's Disease (April)
  • Personality Disorders

Orange Ribbon

You may not see it as often as pink or red, but orange is still a really popular color for awareness ribbons. It’s used to represent ADHD awareness, multiple sclerosis, motorcycle safety, and many other causes.  The full list of orange ribbon meanings includes:

  • ADD
  • ADHD (October)
  • Agent Orange (August)
  • Amniotic Band Syndrome
  • Animal Cruelty - Animal Welfare (February)
  • Asylum Seekers – Cultural Diversity
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  • COPD
  • Cultural Diversity (October)
  • Equality and Liberty
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever
  • Gun Violence Prevention (June)
  • Human Rights
  • Humane Treatment of Animals
  • Humane Treatment of Refugees
  • Hunger (October)
  • Kidney Cancer (march)
  • Leukemia (September)
  • Limb Difference
  • Malnutrition
  • Motorcycle Safety (May)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (March)
  • Necrotizing Fasciitis
  • No Kid or Pets Unattended in Cars
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome
  • Racial Tolerance
  • Reflect Sympathetic Dystrophy
  • RSD/CRPS (November)
  • Safe Rides
  • Self-Harm
  • Self-Injury
  • Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) (May)
  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma
  • Tay-Sachs Disease
  • World Hunger/Poverty

Pearl Ribbon

A pearl is typically thought of as a gemstone that’s found in shelled mollusks or animals. When it’s used on an awareness ribbon, however, it represents lung or bronchial cancer and many other causes.  The full list of pearl ribbon meanings includes:

  • Bronchial Cancer
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Chronic Lung Disease
  • Emphysema
  • Lung Cancer (November)
  • Lung Disease
  • Mesothelioma
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Silver Ribbon

Silver is a popular color for awareness ribbons. It’s used to represent a large number of causes including brain disorders, limb loss, and schizophrenia.  The full list of silver ribbon meanings includes:

  • Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Brain Disabilities
  • Brain Disorders
  • Disabled Children (October)
  • Dyslexia (October)
  • Encephalitis  (May)
  • Facial Paralysis
  • Limb Loss
  • Locked-In Syndrome
  • Neurological Disorders
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Schizoid Personality Disorder
  • Schizophrenia (May)
  • Stalker Awareness (January)

White Ribbon

A neutral white ribbon is used to provide support for many causes and illnesses, including adoption, bone cancer, osteoporosis, and teen abstinence. Most recently, it’s been used globally to represent the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It supports patients and families who have been affected by the virus, as well as healthcare workers who are risking their lives to help others.  The full list of white ribbon meanings includes:

  • Adoption (November)
  • Bone Cancer (August)
  • Bone Diseases (August)
  • Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
  • International End of Violence Against Women
  • Make Poverty History
  • Osteoporosis (May)
  • Poverty
  • Stalking (January)
  • Teen Abstinence (May)
  • Victims of Terrorism
  • White Matter Brain Disorder
  • White Ribbon Campaign for Men Against Violence