In symbolism, blue ribbon is a term used to describe something of high quality. The usage came from The Blue Riband, a prize awarded for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by passenger liners—and prior to that from Cordon Bleu which referred to the blue ribbon worn by a particular order of knights.

The spelling blue ribband is still encountered in most English-speaking countries, but in the United States, the term was altered to blue ribbon, and ribbons of this color came to be awarded for first place in certain athletic or other competitive endeavours (such as county and state fairs). It also may be applied to distinguished members of a group or commission who have convened to address a situation or problem; the usual usage is "blue ribbon commission" or "blue ribbon panel."

The French for the term is 'Cordon Bleu' which is also used in English-speaking countries.

Fair competitions

In some fair competitions in the U.S., particularly 4-H and FFA livestock and horticultural events, blue ribbons may be awarded to any project or exhibit which meets or exceeds all of a competition's judging criteria. In Canada blue ribbons are awarded to second place, with red ribbons awarded to first.

The project may not necessarily be the first place finisher, however. In such cases, a purple ribbon may given to the champion and second-place (or reserve) champion.

Awards are generally given according to the following scale(USA)

• First place - blue ribbon
• Second place - red ribbon
• Third place - white ribbon
• Fourth place - yellow ribbon
• Fifth place - green ribbon
• Sixth place - purple ribbon
• Seventh place - orange ribbon
• Eighth place - brown ribbon

(Canada)

• First place - red ribbon
• Second place - blue ribbon
• Third place - white ribbon
• Fourth place - yellow ribbon
• Fifth place - green ribbon
• Sixth place - purple ribbon
• Seventh place - orange ribbon
• Eighth place - brown ribbon

Usage as an awareness ribbon

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

Chronic fatigue syndrome awareness

The blue ribbon is internationally used to spread awareness for the neurological illness chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or CFS/ME. There are several campaigns and charity organizations referring to this in their name, such as Blue Ribbon for Awareness of ME or BRAME and Blue Ribbon Campaign for ME/CFS.

Chiari malformation awareness

The Chiari Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Public Charitable Foundation started a global Chiari Malformation Awareness, Support, and Research campaign in 2009 using a blue ribbon with a zipper. Blue was chosen because the color blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body and symbolizes wisdom, confidence, faith, and tranquility.

Against child abuse

In the U.S.A., a Blue Ribbon Campaign against child abuse originated in the spring of 1989 when Bonnie Finney of Virginia tied a blue ribbon to her car antenna, as tribute to her three year old grandson, Michael Bubba Dickinson, who died at the hands of his abusive father. The blue color of the ribbon symbolizes the color of bruises.

Anti-smoke campaigns

• In Canada, it is the symbol of an anti-tobacco, anti-second hand smoke campaign. It has the same meaning in Japan. Students of the Hugh Boyd Secondary School in Richmond, British Columbia started the "Blue Ribbon Campaign" in 1999. Each year it has grown and now has taken on a national scope.

Other symbols

• In the U.S., a blue ribbon is the symbol of prostate cancer and colon cancer awareness and Child Abuse Prevention.

• The "Blue Ribbon Online Free Speech Campaign" is an online campaign by the EFF endorsing the protection of free speech on the Internet.

• In the UK, a blue ribbon can be the symbol of testicular cancer awareness.

• In Spain, a blue ribbon (lazo azul) was used since 1993 by those opposing the terrorism of ETA. Gesto por la Paz y el lazo azul
  Jose María Calleja, El lazo azul

• In Ukraine, a blue ribbon represents solidarity with Viktor Yanukovych's opposition, support for the "Party of Regions" ( ) and protest against what is perceived as the seizure of power by Viktor Yushchenko during the Orange Revolution in December of 2004.

• The blue ribbon was used in the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon in 2005, the movement to end perceived Syrian hegemony over Lebanese politics.

• In regard to Australian Politics the term "blue ribbon" is used to describe an electorate, state or area which is considered safe for the conservative Liberal Party. This term can also be applied to the Conservative Party which shares the same ideology and traditional colour of the Australian Liberal Party.

• In Israel, blue ribbons indicate support for the Israel unilateral disengagement plan of 2004, as opposed to orange ribbons, which indicate opposition. It is intended to invoke the flag of Israel.

• In Japan, a blue ribbon is a symbol against abduction by North Korea. It symbolizes the Sea of Japan, between Japan and Korea.

• In the Philippines, there is a Blue Ribbon Committee in the Philippine Senate, a committee that serves as an oversight to government accountability and investigations against corrupt officials.

• In spring 2007, thousands of World bank employees started wearing blue ribbons as a symbol of support for the cause of good governance. This was seen as a silent protest against World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, who had to step down several weeks later due to charges of nepotism.

• In the United States, the blue ribbon (and awareness bracelet from CCFA) are used to signify Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, and associated gastrointestinal diseases.

• In the United States of America, a blue ribbon is a symbol for remembrance of fallen police officers. The ribbons are displayed by the survivors of fallen police officers and are very symbolic of the COPS organization, Concerns Of Police Survivors. In Australia, a blue and white checkered ribbon is commonly used.

• In Sweden there is a temperance organization with the name "Blå bandet" (The Blue Ribbon).

• In the US town of Enterprise, AL on March 1st, 2007 a tornado destroyed Enterprise High School and part of the city killing 8 students and 1 Enterprise resident. A Blue ribbon with a White ribbon is used (the schools colors) to commemorate the loss of life that day. Other ribbons are Blue with White Lettering (often stating "We Will Never Forget 3-1-07").

• Blue ribbons were used by emergency services after the Black Saturday bushfires to mark properties and areas with possible human remains or a confirmed fatality occurred. The blue ribbons were attached to stakes outside the particular property or area.

Companies and products

• Italian Brewer Birra Peroni has an international Beer called "Nastro Azzurro" which translated is blue ribbon. It took its name from the Blue Ribband across the Atlantic Ocean (See above)

• Beginning in the 1940s, Warner Bros., in a cost-conserving effort, began to reissue its backlog of color cartoons under a new program which they called Merrie Melodies "Blue Ribbon" reissues. For the reissue, the original front-and-end title sequences were altered.

• Blue Ribbon is a chain of 8 upscale restaurants, a recording studio and amateur cycling team in New York City.

• Blue Ribbon Barbecue is a chain of 2 restaurants and a catering service in the Boston suburbs.

• Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, which got its name from originally having a blue ribbon tied around the neck of the bottle (between 1882 and 1916).

• In Zimbabwe, the term "blue ribbon" is in reference to "Blue Ribbon Mills", the largest wheat refiner in the country.

• The Swedish company "Blå band" (Blue ribbon) manufacture dried and ready-cooked sauces, soups and outdoor meals.

See also

• Blue Ribbon Schools Program
• Blue Ribbon Awards
• Medals of Honor
• Blue Riband for other uses of the term Blue Riband

References