Blue ribbon

This article is about the symbol. For other uses, see Blue ribbon (disambiguation).

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 riband 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.

Usage as an awareness ribbon

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

• 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.

• In the U.S., a blue ribbon is the symbol of prostate cancer awareness.

• In Canada, it is the symbol of an anti-tobacco, anti-second hand smoke campaign. It also 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.

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

• In Spain, a blue ribbon (lazo azul) has been used by those opposing the terrorism of ETA.

• In Ukraine, a blue ribbon represents solidarity with Viktor Yanukovych's opposition, support for the "Party of Regions" (Ukrainian: Партія регіонів) and protest against 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 electorates, state or area which is considered safe for the conservative Liberal Party. This term can also be applied to the British 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 (DPRK, Kim's government). It symbolizes the Sea of Japan, between Japan and Korea.

• 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 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.

Companies and products

• 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 5 upscale restaurants, a recording studio and amateur cycling team in New York City.

• 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.

See also

• Blue Ribbon Schools Program
• Blue Riband (disambiguation) for other uses of the term Blue Riband