MS Symbols: Ribbons, Butterflies, and Why Awareness Matters | MyMSTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyMSTeam
Powered By

MS Symbols: Ribbons, Butterflies, and Why Awareness Matters

Medically reviewed by Evelyn O. Berman, M.D. — Written by Megan Cawley
Posted on May 23, 2022

Raising awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS) helps contribute to the well-being, support, and understanding of the MS community. One way some people choose to raise awareness of the condition is by honoring World MS Day, which takes place on May 30 of every year.

The goal of World MS Day is to highlight the stories and voices of those living with multiple sclerosis. While the event is a notable one, it’s just one way to raise awareness of the condition.

Here, we will explore the different symbols used to represent the MS community, and share why awareness plays an important role in furthering understanding of multiple sclerosis.

The Importance of Awareness

By increasing awareness of MS, you help others become more familiar with the condition, as well as its impact. Multiple sclerosis awareness can come in a variety of forms, like major annual events. World MS Day, instituted in 2009 by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), came about in order to reach and inform people across the globe about the experiences of those living with MS, their caregivers, and their families.

Since then, the organization has spread its message to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. It has held yearly campaigns to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and work toward an MS-free future, all while providing support to the 2.3 million-plus individuals living with multiple sclerosis around the globe.

Other forms of awareness rely on individual representation, though the smaller scale does not make them any less impactful. For example, the MS community chose two symbols to represent it and its mission: an orange butterfly interlaced with an orange awareness ribbon. You may have seen this combination icon before — either online or in your daily life.

What’s important to remember is that these symbols, like World MS Day, community fundraisers, social media outreach, and more, are incredibly significant to the MS community. They help raise awareness of MS and they help those with the condition feel seen, heard, and most importantly, understood.

The MS Ribbon

The MS awareness ribbon is bright orange, and while it does share the awareness color with other diseases (including leukemia, kidney cancer, melanoma, and ADHD), those living with MS look fondly on the ribbon because of what it represents for them.

One MyMSTeam member shared that he used his Christmas light display as a means of supporting awareness both for his MS and his son’s Angelman syndrome. The display featured an orange awareness ribbon and a blue awareness ribbon side by side, decked out in lights with the word HOPE between them.

Another user honored MS awareness by painting an orange ribbon design onto her nails with polish. Others display it through photos on their social media pages, jewelry charms, or even through tattoos. Each of these ways enables those with MS and their loved ones to take ownership of the condition. At the same time, they raise awareness of what the MS community experiences.

The MS Symbol: A Butterfly

An orange butterfly as a symbol of MS might be less well-known than an MS orange ribbon, but it is just as important for some members of the MS community.

One MyMSTeam member asked others how — and why — the MS community landed on a butterfly as a symbol. Another replied that it was chosen because of the caterpillar to butterfly cycle. “They are considered a symbol of life transformation,” the member wrote. Essentially, butterflies can represent how some people in the MS community feel when they transform their post-diagnosis lives for the better. Another member shared a different take. “It is a sign of HOPE,” they posted. Yet another member pointed out that MRI scans of brains with MS resemble images of butterflies, hence the use of the symbol.

You can find the butterfly logo on T-shirts, jewelry, stickers, and countless other forms of expression that those with MS and their allies can use to help raise and spread awareness of the condition.

Why MS Awareness Matters

Awareness is important because it helps both the people at the center of the MS community and those outside of it. For the millions of people in the world living with MS, seeing global outreach and education surrounding their condition can help them feel more seen and accepted by others. It can help take away the taboo of conditions that may not seem as common or as talked about in the public consciousness, and help fight stigmas that can arise when certain conditions are misunderstood or even feared.

Awareness can also help those with MS feel like they aren’t alone. Hearing other people share their MS stories, the feelings and hardships they’ve endured both before and after their diagnoses, and how they overcame their struggles can be uplifting and empowering for those living with MS. It also helps make the reality of MS even more tangible and understandable for those who don’t live with the disease. This way, it gets the word out and encourages others to do something as they show support in the battle against MS — for treatment, for understanding, and, ultimately, in hopes to find a cure.

Find Your Team

On MyMSTeam, you become part of a community of more than 186,000 members who understand life with multiple sclerosis, either as someone with the condition, or as the loved one of someone with it. On MyMSTeam, members share their stories, ask questions, offer support and advice, and connect with members from around the world who understand life with multiple sclerosis.

How about you? Do you wear or display symbols of MS awareness? What do the symbols mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below or by posting on MyMSTeam.

Posted on May 23, 2022
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Become a Subscriber

Get the latest articles about multiple sclerosis sent to your inbox.

Evelyn O. Berman, M.D. is a neurology and pediatric specialist and treats disorders of the brain in children. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about her here.
Megan Cawley is a writer at MyHealthTeam. She has written previously on health news and topics, including new preventative treatment programs. Learn more about her here.

Related articles

People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) again face the choice of whether to get an updated mes...

MS Symptoms and COVID-19 Vaccines: Is There a Relapse Risk?

People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) again face the choice of whether to get an updated mes...
In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...

Stress, Affording Treatment, and Quality of Life With MS: See Survey Results

In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...
This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...
Since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, Ashley Ratcliff has used her voice t...

2 Facts About MS I Wish People Knew

Since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, Ashley Ratcliff has used her voice t...
Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere — at school or work or while traveling. Dependin...

3 Benefits of MS Medical Alert Bracelets

Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere — at school or work or while traveling. Dependin...
If multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms are making it difficult for you to keep up with the demands o...

When To Quit Working With MS vs. Taking a Medical Leave

If multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms are making it difficult for you to keep up with the demands o...

Recent articles

If you are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), you have probably searched the internet for healt...

Reliable Health Websites: 6 Tips To Find Trustworthy MS Info Online

If you are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), you have probably searched the internet for healt...
Samantha Salvaggio Vanderman is a chronic illness coach, personal trainer, and behavior change s...

Overcome MS: 4 Tips for Choosing a Treatment

Samantha Salvaggio Vanderman is a chronic illness coach, personal trainer, and behavior change s...
If you’re having flares more often, or if they leave you feeling significantly worse than before,...

Should You Be on an Advanced MS Treatment? 5 Symptoms To Look For

If you’re having flares more often, or if they leave you feeling significantly worse than before,...
YogaVista.tv and MyMSTeam have partnered to bring you these mini-lessons or "yoga snacks."

Easy Movement Videos for People With MS

YogaVista.tv and MyMSTeam have partnered to bring you these mini-lessons or "yoga snacks."
Watch the video to see how Todd Cerveris, a member of MyMSTeam, finds a medication plan that fits...

One Way To Treat MS Without Slowing Down

Watch the video to see how Todd Cerveris, a member of MyMSTeam, finds a medication plan that fits...
MyMSTeam My multiple sclerosis Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close