The ribbon symbol has become a universal way to raise awareness for a wide range of medical conditions, social causes, and important issues. Each colour represents something unique, helping charities, supporters, and communities spread their message. 

Some of the most recognisable ribbons include:

• • Red – Worn in support of those with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  • Pink – Associated with breast cancer awareness

But did you know there are dozens of ribbon colours, each with their own meaning? Understanding them can help you show support for the causes that matter most. 

Ribbon Colours and Their Meanings 

Here’s a helpful guide to the most common awareness ribbon colours: 

By Colour:

• • Black – Melanoma, Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnoea & Disorders, Mourning, Skin Cancer
  • Black & White – Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neuroendocrine Cancer, Carcinoid Cancer, Whipple’s Disease
  • Blue – Anti-Bullying, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Colon Cancer, Huntington’s Disease, Child Abuse Prevention
  • Cream – Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Green – Mental Health Awareness, Liver, Gallbladder & Adrenal Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Kidney Disease
• • Grey – Brain Cancer, Asthma, Diabetes, Borderline Personality Disorder, Parkinson’s Disease
  • Light Blue – Prostate Cancer, Chronic Illness, Addison’s Disease, Adrenal Insufficiency, Lymphedema, Thyroid Disease
  • Lime – Lymphoma, Mental Illness, Lyme Disease, Muscular Dystrophy
  • Orange – Leukaemia, Kidney Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), COPD, ADHD
  • Pink – Breast Cancer
  • Purple – Epilepsy, Pancreatic Cancer, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Vulvar Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Dementia, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Testicular Cancer
  • Rainbow – Autism
  • Red – Heart Disease, AIDS / HIV, Cardiovascular Disease, Congenital Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Tuberculosis, Haemophilia, Tachycardia
  • Teal – Ovarian Cancer, Desmoid Tumours, Anxiety Disorders, Allergies, POTS, Myasthenia Gravis
  • Teal & White – Cervical Cancer
  • Teal / Pink / Blue – Thyroid Cancer
  • Yellow – Bone Cancer, Sarcoma, Endometriosis, Spina Bifida
  • White – Lung Cancer

For a full, interactive list of ribbon colours and their causes, click here.

By Condition 

Sometimes it’s easier to search by the condition itself. Here’s a selection of popular awareness ribbons:

• • AIDS – Red
  • Addison’s Disease – Light Blue
  • Alzheimer’s Disease – Purple
  • Asthma – Grey
  • Autism – Rainbow
  • Breast Cancer – Pink
  • Diabetes – Grey
  • Heart Disease – Red
  • Lupus – Purple
  • Mental Health Awareness – Green
  • Ovarian Cancer – Teal
  • Prostate Cancer – Light Blue
  • Stroke – Red
  • Thyroid Cancer – Teal / Pink / Blue

(This list is not exhaustive — many other conditions have their own ribbons.)

Awareness Ribbon Jewellery

Show your support in style with awareness ribbon jewellery. Our collection includes pins, bracelets, and necklaces so you can raise awareness for a medical condition close to your heart, or honour someone you love. 

Many people also use jewellery as a conversation starter, helping educate others about causes that matter to them. 

Get Involved 

If you have questions about ribbon colours or our jewellery, leave a comment below or email us at help@butlerandgrace.co 

We’d love to hear which ribbon colours you’d like to see added in the future. 

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