Red ribbon
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- For the restaurant, see Red Ribbon (Bakeshop). For the flower known as red ribbons, see Clarkia concinna.
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The red ribbon, a ribbon colored red, has several different meanings in different contexts. Foremost, it is the symbol of solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS.
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[edit] AIDS awareness symbol
The red ribbon is used internationally as a symbol of the fight against AIDS which first came to prominence at the 1991 Tony Awards. The red ribbon has been a powerful psychological component of AIDS, although it has recently declined in popularity [1]
[edit] Origins
The Red Ribbon Project was created by the New York-based Visual AIDS Artists Caucus in 1991. This extraordinary collaboration believed it was important to:
- Remain anonymous as individuals and to credit the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus as a whole in the creation of the Red Ribbon Project, and not to list any individual as the “creator” of the Red Ribbon Project;
- Keep the image copyright free, so that no individual or organization would profit from the use of the red ribbon;
- The Red Ribbon should be used as a consciousness raising symbol, not as a commercial or trademark tool.
The artists who formed the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus wished to create a visual symbol to demonstrate compassion for people living with AIDS and their caregivers. Inspired by the yellow ribbons honoring American soldiers serving in the Gulf war, the color red was chosen for its, "connection to blood and the idea of passion -- not only anger, but love, like a valentine." First worn publicly by Jeremy Irons at the 1991 Tony Awards, the ribbon soon became renowned as an international symbol of AIDS awareness, becoming a politically correct fashion accessory on the lapels of celebrities. The Red Ribbon continues to be a powerful force in the fight to increase public awareness of HIV/AIDS and in the lobbying efforts to increase funding for AIDS services and research.
[edit] Fair award
At county and state fairs in the United States, a red ribbon is awarded to the competitor finishing in second place in a contest. It is used for first place in Canada.
In some judging competitions, particularly in 4-H and FFA livestock and horticultural competitions, red ribbons may be given to a project that meets some of the judging criteria but falls short in other areas. Superior projects and exhibits are awarded blue ribbons (which are second-place ribbons in Canada).
[edit] Anti-drug symbol
Every year in the United States, one week is designated National Red Ribbon Week by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which urges citizens to wear red ribbons as a symbol to "say no to drugs." Many primary schools and secondary schools systematically hand out red ribbons to their students in this week and encourage students to wear them.
[edit] Japanese School Athletics
The national colors of Japan are red and white, which have deep cultural meanings that can be described summarily as "energetic activity" and "purity of aim". In U.S. schools, boys' athletic games employ teams of "shirts" and "skins", the latter team removing their shirts. In Japan, one team ties on a red ribbon (but not in the loop form shown on this page), a differentiation applicable to girls' sports too.
This cultural pattern is referenced in manga and anime. The side opposing the protagonists is called "Red Ribbon" in Dragon Ball and in the original of Pokemon. By default, the protagonists have the symbolism of "purity of aim".
[edit] See also
- Paul Jabara - co-founder of the Red Ribbon Project
- Medals of Honor (Japan)
[edit] References
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