We highly recommend this article on the history of awareness ribbons from Smithsonian Magazine. And if you’d like to learn more about one of the most iconic uses of awareness ribbons — red HIV/AIDS ribbons — you should listen to the Awareness episode of the podcast 99% Invisible. BritneySpearsVEVO (25 October 2009). "Britney Spears – Everytime". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 . Retrieved 31 January 2018– via YouTube. Nephin, Dan (12 February 2005). "Kabbalah not a celebrity fashion statement, Jews say". Deseret News.

History hinges on a single pivotal event: the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. There, God’s great redemption of mankind was accomplished—a rescue mission that culminated at the end of Christ’s three-and-a-half-year public ministry but began before the world was formed. Lynch, Annette; Strauss, Mitchell (2007). Changing Fashion: A Critical Introduction to Trend Analysis and Cultural Meaning. Berg Publishers. ISBN 978-1845203900. In response to her husband being held hostage in Iran, Penny Laingen and her neighbors tie yellow ribbons around trees. On the other hand, if your ribbon is for a lesser-known cause (or if you’re creating a new awareness ribbon for your cause), it will take more time for people to associate the ribbon with your cause.

Orange ribbons’ meanings are often associated with gun violence prevention and suicide prevention — but are also worn to show support for individuals who have leukemia, multiple sclerosis, spinal cancer, or kidney cancers. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation begins handing out pink ribbons to Race for the Cure participants. Late 1800’s / Early 1900’s: Yellow ribbons also became of significance when given to U.S. soldiers. You can use social media, public events, or traditional marketing to communicate more about your cause. Share what cause the colored ribbon is associated with. And share more details about why people should become more aware about this cause.

The scarlet cord—the color of blood—was a sign of her faith that led to her salvation. The cord, for Rahab, worked much like the smeared blood on the lintels and doorposts of Jewish homes in Egypt on the night of the Passover decades before. Lastly — and this is the most important part — share what kind of action you want people to take. Awareness is good, but action will always be better. Clearly communicate the best action step that your new supporters can take!

The main theme of the Bible is Christ.

He’s the hero of the story because His sacrifice on the cross provided salvation for mankind. The “scarlet thread” of redemption is interwoven through the entire story and can be seen in the many accounts of biblical history that tell His story. Awareness ribbons can be effective at raising awareness or reminding people of an important cause, but beyond that scope, they’re limited in their impact. That blood-red cord binds the Old Testament to John the Baptist’s introduction of Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” and to the beams of a Roman cross at Golgotha, where Jesus declared, “It is finished!” Green ribbons’ meaning is most commonly associated with leukemia, kidney disease, and Lyme disease — but are also worn or tattooed to show support for individuals struggling with mental health. It’s also commonly associated with environmental causes.