The Meaning of the Purple Ribbon & Other Awareness Ribbon Colors

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Plus resources and strategies to bring awareness to the purple ribbon

Co-authored by Direct Relief and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: July 9, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Purple Ribbon Meaning
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• Other Ribbon Colors
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• Color Combos
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• Purpose of Awareness Ribbons
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• History
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• Other Ways to Bring Awareness
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• Resources
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• Purple Symbolism
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• FAQs
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• Conclusion

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Awareness ribbons are classic ways to show your support for causes you believe in. Purple ribbons, especially, have been used to show support for causes like addiction recovery, domestic violence prevention, Alzheimer’s awareness, and more. In this article, we explain what purple awareness ribbons represent, what other awareness ribbons represent, dive into color combos, explain how to show awareness, and more.

What does purple represent on an awareness ribbon?

Purple ribbons represent a variety of different causes, most notably domestic violence awareness, animal abuse prevention, pancreatic cancer awareness, and addiction recovery. They also represent lupus awareness, elder abuse awareness and prevention, and Alzheimer’s disease awareness.

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Section 1 of 10:

What does a purple ribbon represent?

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   Domestic violence awareness The purple ribbon is a national symbol for domestic violence awareness and prevention for all ages, genders, ethnicities, and economic status. Domestic violence, also called “domestic abuse” or “intimate partner violence,” is a behavioral pattern that’s used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner, so if you’re against domestic violence, wear a purple ribbon to show awareness.

   • Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed in October, so wear purple during October to show your awareness and fight against domestic violence.
   • According to police captain Saul Jaeger, MS, “domestic violence is a very underreported crime.” It’s hard to overcome, “but it’s really important to report” if you want to get out of a domestic violence situation. Wearing a purple ribbon may help a survivor come forward and escape their situation!
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   Animal abuse prevention Purple ribbons are also worn to show that you’re against animal abuse and supporting the fight against it. Wear purple ribbons to show that you’re committed to treating all animals ethically and humanely, especially during April, which is nationally recognized as Animal Cruelty Prevention Month.

   • Animal abuse occurs all across the socioeconomic spectrum. It’s common in both urban and rural areas.
   • Animal abuse is also strongly correlated to violence against people and other violent crimes.
   • Purple ribbons are often worn at animal abuse awareness campaigns and events.
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   Elder abuse awareness and prevention Purple is internationally associated with elder abuse awareness and prevention, with many people across the world coming together every June to raise awareness about the issue. Every year on June 15th, people wear purple ribbons to bring awareness to elder abuse, which is defined as an intentional act or failure to act that harms or risks harming an older adult.

   • Elder abuse includes physical abuse, like hitting, kicking, or pushing, unwanted sexual interaction, and emotional or psychological abuse (like humiliation, threats, or harassment).
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   Alzheimer’s disease awareness and support Wearing a purple ribbon may show awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and support for a cure. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that impacts your memory, thinking, and behavior, making it hard to remember loved ones, common tasks, and eventually, complete essential daily tasks, like eating, showering, or responding to your environment.

   • Alzheimer’s progressively worsens over time. Late-stage alzheimers can cause one to lose the ability to hold a conversation and control their movement.
   • You’ll likely see purple ribbons worn by people at community events that support Alzheimer’s patients and research on the disease.
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   Lupus awareness Lupus is an autoimmune disease where your body mistakenly attacks your tissues and organs, which can cause internal damage and inflammation. Purple is the main color used to display support and awareness of lupus. You’ll see it most often on ribbons, t-shirts, hats, nails, and even toenails, especially during May, which is Lupus Awareness Month.
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   Addiction recovery Purple is used to promote understanding and support for those trying to recover from addiction. It was designated as the official recovery color in 1989, and purple ribbons have been worn every September in support of those fighting addiction. It represents a blend of red and blue, which symbolizes the blending of different ideologies and experiences in the recovery community.
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   Pancreatic cancer awareness Purple ribbons are worn to show awareness for pancreatic cancer, which attacks the organ responsible for food digestion and blood sugar management. Aside from ribbons, you’ll often see the color purple on bracelets, wristbands, keychains, and coffee mugs, all of which are used to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer.

   • Purple became the color for pancreatic cancer awareness after Rose Schneider, a pancreatic cancer victim, was pictured wearing purple after her daughter took glamour photos to remind her of her beauty.
   • After Schneider’s death, her daughter, Pamela Acosta Marquardt, learned there were no pancreatic cancer support organizations. This led Marquardt to found the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in 1999, which uses purple as its main color.
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   Testicular cancer awareness Purple and violet are the main colors for Testicular Cancer awareness ribbons, which are worn every April (Testicular Cancer Awareness Month). Testicular cancer is cancer of the testicles. It’s most common in younger men and can develop in one or both testicles. Aside from awareness ribbons, people show support for testicular cancer victims by sharing info on social media and donating to research and advocacy groups.

   • You’ll see purple ribbons being worn at local testicular cancer fundraising events, especially by members of advocacy groups.
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   Epilepsy awareness In November, which is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, people across the world wear purple ribbons to show their support for and awareness of those suffering from epilepsy. Aside from raising awareness, the ribbons are worn to show the strength, resilience, and courage of those fighting epilepsy and their families, who often support them through their journey.
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    Support for veterans and military children On top of awareness for testicular cancer and animal abuse prevention, the color purple is worn in April to support children of military families. Children of military families may struggle with the deployment of their parents to war zones, having to constantly move, and having to build a new group of friends whenever they move, and purple is worn to spread awareness of these challenges and support military children as they deal with them.
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Section 2 of 10:

Meanings of Other Ribbons

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   Red Red is most commonly associated with AIDS and HIV awareness, becoming a symbol of awareness in 1991 when New York artists and activists needed a symbol to show support for those battling the disease during the height of the AIDS crisis. Aside from AIDS and HIV awareness, red ribbons are associated with heart disease awareness, high blood pressure, and more:

   • Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
   • Brain Aneurysm Awareness
   • Blood Cancers and Disorders
   • Burn Victims
   • Congenital Heart Defects
   • Congenital Heart Disease
   • Congestive Heart Failure
   • Epidermolysis Bullosa
   • Evans Syndrome
   • Factor XI Deficiency
   • Hemophilia
   • Inhalant Abuse
   • Lymphoma
   • Marfan Syndrome
   • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
   • Stroke
   • Tuberculosis
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   Orange People typically wear orange to show support to those who suffer from multiple sclerosis, human rights abuses, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Besides that, orange ribbons are worn to show support and awareness for a variety of different causes, including:

   • Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS)
   • Those exposed to Agent Orange.
   • Autoinflammatory Disorders
   • Cultural Diversity
   • Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
   • Hunger
   • Malnutrition
   • Motorcycle Safety
   • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
   • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
   • Self-Injury Awareness
   • Sensory Processing Disorder
   • Spinal Cancer
   • Prader-Willi Syndrome
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   Yellow Yellow ribbons are most often worn in support of suicide prevention and in support of U.S. troops and armed forces. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and U.S. troops and armed forces are especially susceptible to suicide, so there are plenty of people across the country (and world) who wear yellow ribbons to show support. Aside from showing support for troops and their hardships and suicide prevention, yellow ribbons represent:

   • Bladder cancer
   • Bone cancer
   • Carbon monoxide poisoning
   • Craniofacial acceptance
   • Endometriosis awareness
   • Microcephaly awareness
   • Missing children awareness
   • Obesity awareness
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   Green Green is primarily associated with mental health awareness, and people tend to wear green ribbons to show support to colleagues and loved ones struggling with their mental health or dealing with mental illness. On top of green ribbons being associated with mental health, they are also associated with:

   • Adrenal cancer awareness
   • Aging research awareness
   • Bipolar disorder
   • Bone marrow donation
   • Cerebral palsy
   • Depression
   • Dwarfism
   • Eye injury prevention
   • Functional Gastrointestinal and Motility Disorders
   • Glaucoma
   • Kidney cancer
   • Leukemia
   • Manic depression
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   Teal Teal ribbons are worn to show support for sexual assault and sexual violence survivors, as well as victims of various types of cancer, from cervical cancer to ovarian cancer. Aside from sexual assault and cancer victims, teal ribbons are worn to show support and awareness for:

   • Anxiety Disorder
   • Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias
   • Dissociative Disorders
   • Ectodermal Dysplasia
   • Fibular Hemimelia
   • Food allergies
   • Fragile X Syndrome
   • Gynecological cancer
   • Knee injury
   • Martin-Bell Syndrome
   • Military Sexual Trauma
   • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
   • Panic Disorder
   • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
   • Polycystic Kidney Disorder
   • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
   • Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
   • Tourette’s Syndrome
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   Blue Blue ribbons are most commonly worn to show support for and raise awareness about victims of child abuse. By wearing blue ribbons, people show that they’re against child abuse and in support of the victims. Aside from bringing attention to the issue of child abuse, blue ribbons also show support and raise awareness for:

   • Alopecia
   • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
   • Arthritis
   • Anti-Bullying (in the United Kingdom)
   • Colon Cancer
   • Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
   • Dystonia
   • Erb’s Palsy
   • Foster Care Awareness
   • Guillain Barré Syndrome
   • Human Trafficking
   • Huntington’s Disease
   • Restless Leg Syndrome
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   Pink Pink ribbons are most commonly associated with Breast cancer awareness, with thousands of pink ribbons being donned in October to raise awareness for victims of breast cancer. Aside from Breast Cancer, pink awareness ribbons are worn to show support for:

   • Birth parents
   • Nursing mothers
   • Breast Reconstruction Awareness
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   Gray Gray awareness ribbons mainly symbolize brain cancer awareness, being worn every May to show support for brain cancer patients. Aside from symbolizing support and awareness for those fighting brain cancer, gray ribbons are also worn to show awareness for asthma, borderline personality disorder, and other disorders and diseases, including:

   • Allergies
   • Aphasia awareness
   • Diabetes awareness (also represented by blue)
   • Brain tumors
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Section 3 of 10:

Ribbon Color Combinations

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1. 
   Ribbons with multiple colors raise awareness for specific causes. When you spot a patterned or multi-colored ribbon, you may be inclined to believe that it’s a combination of different causes. While this may sometimes be the case, color combinations typically represent specific causes or diseases that aren't associated with the traditional ribbon colors. Some color combinations include:

   • Dark Blue + Orange: Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
   • Gray + Teal + Black: Long Covid Awareness
   • Blue + Red: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Rare lung diseases, Seasonal Affective Disorder
   • Black + Blue: Loss of a male child or brother
   • Black + Pink: Loss of a female child or sister
   • Black + Red: Murdered children and victims, loss of an on-duty firefighter
   • Black + White: Anti-racism, carcinoid cancer, diversity, gifted education, transitions, vaccine awareness.
   • Orange + White: Bicycle safety
   • Gold + Silver: Hearing impairments and disorders, Tinnitus, Meniere’s Disease
   • Rainbow: LGBTQ+ equality and pride

Section 4 of 10:

Purpose of Awareness Ribbons

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1. 
   Awareness ribbons show solidarity and support for various causes. Since the red ribbon was used to show support for the AIDS crisis, awareness ribbons have become a popular way to show your support for, awareness of, and solidarity with those associated with various causes and diseases, including different types of cancers, abuses, physical, and mental conditions. People tend to wear them at fundraising and supporting events for the causes they’re standing for.
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Section 5 of 10:

History of Awareness Ribbons

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1. 
   Awareness ribbons became commonplace in the 1970s. Although ribbons have been used as meaningful objects since the Middle Ages, awareness ribbons didn’t become popular until 1970, when the wife of a U.S. soldier taken hostage began tying yellow ribbons around trees to show support for the missing soldiers of the US-Iranian hostage crisis. They grew in popularity when the red ribbon was used to show support for AIDS victims during the 1991 AIDS crisis.

   • Today, there are plenty of charities and campaigns that adopt their own meaning for colored awareness ribbons, helping spread the practice across the world.

Section 6 of 10:

Other Ways to Bring Awareness

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   Host fundraising events Fundraising events are like a double whammy, as they can help boost awareness about a cause and raise money for it. So, if you’re looking to bring some financial contributions to a cause that you care about, host a fundraising event based on the cause. Your event can be anything, from an art exhibition to a sporting event or a pie-eating contest. Whatever the case may be, let your patrons know where the proceeds are going so they know what cause they’re supporting.

   • Humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief suggests hosting lemonade stands, bake sales, or even donating Christmas money as ways to fundraise for a cause.
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   Host educational events Host events to educate your community and raise their awareness of the issues you care about. The events don’t have to be extravagant or over the top, either. You can host a simple workshop in your dining room or a monthly book club that talks about literature related to your cause. Whatever you decide, it’ll help teach your community about causes they may not be privy to.
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   Create and sell merchandise Merchandise, like T-shirts, hoodies, bracelets, and buttons, is a great way to spread awareness for a cause that you believe in. Reach out to a local screen printer for a professional touch on your T-shirts, or head to a website like Zazzle or Wristband Bros to start producing some custom bracelets for causes you wish to support.
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   Boost social media awareness When you want to support a cause and raise awareness online, create an account for the cause on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Make posts about the cause you wish to support using hashtags related to it, post polls and Q&As on your story to engage with your followers, and upload clips related to your cause on Reels and TikTok.
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Section 7 of 10:

Resources for Awareness & Support

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   Cancer There are plenty of different support programs and resources for those dealing with cancer, whether it’s the Cancer Survivors Network, which connects cancer patients and survivors, or the Road to Recovery program, which drives patients to their cancer treatment when they don’t have any other means of transportation. Other cancer resources include:

   • EverYou: An American Cancer Society business that sells wigs, headwear, and post-surgical products.
   • CancerCare: A national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional services to those affected by cancer.
   • Triage Cancer: A national nonprofit organization that educates people on the practical and legal issues that may impact cancer patients and their caregivers.
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   Domestic violence Whether you’re a victim of domestic violence yourself or you’re looking to help a friend who’s experiencing domestic violence, there are things you can do and places you can turn to help. Start by expressing your concern and listening in a safe, private place, offering the victim your support and asking how you can best help them in their situation, and providing them with the following resources:

   • National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788.
   • Safe Housing Partnerships: A project that assists victims with understanding the connections between domestic and sexual violence and safe, affordable housing.
   • ACE-DV Leadership Forum: A forum of advocates in the movement to end gender-based violence who have been exposed to domestic violence as children.
   • Domestic Violence Awareness Project: A project that supports and promotes national, tribal, territorial, state, and local advocacy networks in educating the public on domestic violence.
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   Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that impacts the brain and its ability to retain information. While it can be a stressful disease to deal with for both victims and their families, there are a host of resources and groups that make the process easier from start to finish. Some of those resources include:

   • 24/7 Helpline: Call 800-272-3900 for information, support, and assistance.
   • ALZ Talks Virtual Events: Webinars that educate attendees on information, news, and resources on various dementia and caregiving topics.
   • My ALZ Journey: An app that offers personalized support for Alzheimer’s patients and their families as they make their way through the early stages of diagnosis.
   • Alzheimer’s Association Local Chapters: Find your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter and join to advance critical care, support, and research.
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   Addiction recovery Recovering from addiction may seem difficult, but there are plenty of resources and community groups that make the process easier. Not only are there local recovery groups where you can discuss the challenges of recovery with others, but there are also hotlines and forums that you can reach out to when you’re struggling. These resources include:

   • Alcoholics Anonymous: A 12-step program where alcoholics discuss their use and sobriety while working through the 12 steps.
   • Narcotics Anonymous: A 12-step program where those dealing with substance abuse discuss their use and sobriety while working through the 12 steps.
   • HereNowConnect: An app to track your sobriety, message trained counselors and peers, get clinical support from 9 am-10 pm EST every day of the week, track your sobriety goals, and set reminders.
   • Substance Use in Adolescence: A list of resources and information related to drug and alcohol use in adolescence and how to prevent it.
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Section 8 of 10:

What does the color purple symbolize?

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   Wisdom Purple symbolizes wisdom and dignity, making it a powerful choice when channeling those aspects in different walks of life. Being that purple is the rarest color in nature, it’s often associated with mystery and powers beyond our control, which both attribute to its symbolic wisdom.
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   Luxury Historically, purple has been a rare and expensive color to produce, so it has been associated with royalty and status as a result. Purple dye was originally made from murex sea snails, making it extremely costly. Since it was expensive to produce, it was often exclusive to the wealthiest members of society, like Kings and Queens. Although it’s become much easier to produce, purple is still associated with luxury and royalty.
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   Creativity Purple often symbolizes creativity due to its vibrant hue. Its elegance and strong colors can stimulate artistic thoughts, innovation, and even make spaces appear more vibrant and inspired. Due to its creative symbolism, purple tends to be a great choice for art studios, set shops, and other creative spaces.
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   Complexity As the combination of red and blue, purple is often seen as a color of complexity. It’s often associated with depth and mystery, which invite introspection, soul-searching, and contemplation. So, whether you’re looking for a color to represent complexity or are trying to channel your own inner complexity, purple’s the way to go.
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Section 9 of 10:

Frequently Asked Questions

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   What’s the significance of the purple ribbon in different awareness campaigns? Purple ribbons are used to highlight different causes and bring awareness to them, like Alzheimer’s disease, pancreatic cancer, epilepsy, and domestic violence. They’re symbols of courage and hope that are worn in different circumstances to encourage learning and understanding of different causes.
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   How does the dark purple ribbon differ from other awareness ribbon colors? Dark purple ribbons tend to be used for pancreatic cancer awareness, but they also represent awareness for other causes and diseases. Other ribbon colors represent different types of causes and awareness of diseases. For example, red ribbons are for AIDS awareness.

   • The key difference between the ribbons is that different colors signify different causes and disease awareness movements.
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   What does the purple ribbon signify in LGBTQ+ communities? In LGBTQ+ communities, purple ribbons signify spirit and courage. It’s used to symbolize pride and spirit in the fight for equal rights for LGBTQ+ folks, especially by activists and those who are actively participating in the fight.
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   How do lavender ribbons differ from purple ribbons? Lavender ribbons are typically used for pediatric cancer awareness, while purple ribbons are used for other types of cancer awareness, like pancreatic cancer and testicular cancer.
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   What do teal + purple ribbons mean? Teal and purple together typically represent suicide prevention awareness. The two colors are combined to bring attention to people’s mental health struggles, spark conversations about mental health support and care, and encourage those dealing with mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts to seek help and support in their community.
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   When are purple ribbons used to signify remembrance? Purple ribbons are often used in memorials or events that honor loved ones who lost their battles to diseases like addiction. They’re worn by family members and loved ones to keep those who lost their battles alive in their memories.
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Section 10 of 10:

Final Takeaways

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1. 
   Purple ribbons raise awareness about domestic violence, epilepsy, and other causes. Purple ribbons are used to raise awareness about a host of different causes, from addiction recovery to pancreatic cancer awareness. Other ribbons are also used to raise awareness, like red ribbons for AIDS and teal ribbons for OCD. Since purple is a symbol of wisdom and complexity, it makes sense that it’s used to raise awareness on these complex topics.

   • If you’re struggling and in search of resources, call a hotline that specializes in the thing(s) you’re struggling with.
   • Awareness ribbons are a great way to spread awareness about causes you care about.

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• You can also wear purple ribbons to support causes like Crohn’s disease awareness, Arnold Chiari Malformation awareness, Macular Degeneration awareness, thyroid cancer awareness and prevention, homelessness awareness and prevention, and religious tolerance. However, these meanings are less common.
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