They are worn to demonstrate the wearer's support of a cause or charitable organization, similar to awareness ribbons.

The grey ribbon, like similar awareness ribbons, is worn or displayed as a political statement.

Some people wear an orange awareness ribbon or wristband to encourage awareness of self-harm.

In Canada, orange ribbons are worn as an awareness ribbon symbolizes Addiction Recovery.

One unforeseen consequence has been the number of awareness ribbons that have been adopted since - pink for breast cancer being the most well known.

Blue ribbons have been used as awareness ribbons for numerous different causes.

Pieces of ribbon are used as symbols of support or awareness for various social causes and are called "awareness ribbons".

This can be likened to the use of awareness ribbons for similar purposes.

The red ribbon, as an awareness ribbon colored red, has several different meanings in different contexts.

Proponents placed ASCII art in their signature blocks, meant to look like an awareness ribbon, along with a message or link to an advocacy site: