Ribbon colors and what they stand for
| Color | Common meanings |
|---|---|
| Red | HIV/AIDS awareness, heart disease, stroke, substance abuse prevention (Red Ribbon Week) |
| Pink | Breast cancer |
| Light pink and blue | Pregnancy and infant loss |
| Purple | Domestic violence, Alzheimer's disease, pancreatic cancer, lupus, epilepsy, overdose awareness, recovery |
| Lavender | All cancers, cancer survivors |
| Teal | Ovarian cancer, sexual assault awareness, PTSD |
| Teal and purple | Suicide prevention |
| Light blue | Prostate cancer |
| Blue | Child abuse prevention, colon cancer (dark blue), human trafficking awareness, bullying prevention |
| Blue and yellow | Down syndrome |
| Blue and white | ALS |
| Green | Mental health awareness (often lime green), organ and tissue donation, kidney disease |
| Lime green | Lymphoma, mental health awareness |
| Emerald green | Liver cancer |
| Yellow | Support for troops, bone cancer and sarcoma, spina bifida, endometriosis |
| Gold | Childhood cancer |
| Orange | Leukemia, kidney cancer, multiple sclerosis, ADHD, self-harm awareness |
| Gray | Brain cancer, diabetes (with the blue circle) |
| White or pearl | Lung cancer |
| Black | Mourning and remembrance, melanoma, POW/MIA remembrance |
| Burgundy | Multiple myeloma, sickle cell disease |
| Periwinkle | Stomach and esophageal cancer |
| Peach | Uterine cancer |
| Orchid | Testicular cancer |
| Silver | Parkinson's disease, brain disorders |
| Rainbow | LGBTQ+ pride; a rainbow infinity symbol is used for autism acceptance |
These meanings come from charities and advocacy groups over the past few decades. There is no single official list, and the same color can mean different things in different places. Cancer colors are listed in more detail in our cancer ribbon colors chart.
A note on autism symbols
The puzzle-piece ribbon was long associated with autism awareness, but many autistic people and advocates prefer the rainbow or gold infinity symbol, which represents acceptance and neurodiversity. If you are making materials for an autism organization, ask which symbol it uses. Our ready-made autism acceptance ribbon pin uses the rainbow infinity design.
How to make your ribbon's meaning clear
Because colors are shared, the most effective awareness pins combine the ribbon with words:
- The cause: "Domestic Violence Awareness"
- Your organization's name
- A call to action on a flyer you hand out with the pin: a website, a hotline, a donation link
See awareness ribbon pins for designs that include space for your text.
Wearing awareness ribbons
Ribbon pins are usually worn on the left side, like other lapel pins, during the cause's awareness month or at events. Our awareness months calendar shows when each cause is observed.
A short history of awareness ribbons
Yellow ribbons became a symbol of hope for the return of hostages and service members in the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1991, a group of artists introduced the red ribbon for HIV/AIDS awareness, worn on lapels at public events, and it spread quickly. The pink ribbon for breast cancer followed in the early 1990s. Since then, almost every health and social cause has adopted a ribbon color, which is why so many colors are now shared.
Choosing a ribbon for a new campaign
If your cause does not have an established color, choose one that is not strongly associated with a well-known cause in your community, and always pair it with words. Two-color and patterned ribbons (such as stripes or a pattern within the ribbon) are increasingly used to create a distinct identity. Check what related organizations already use, so supporters are not confused.
Ribbon pin design tips
- Use the exact shade: put the Pantone number on your proof.
- Add the cause in words on the pin.
- Keep the ribbon shape classic and simple; it reads best at small sizes.
- Add a little glitter to the ribbon for events and walks.
Awareness Ribbon Pins Collection: product animation of designs from our collection.
Written by the Enamelore team, who proof every order. Questions about this guide? Email hello@enamelore.com.
