Woman wearing pink ribbon in hair, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 2) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This round novelty card by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company presents a portrait of a woman adorned with a pink ribbon. Simple and elegant, the ribbon echoes ancient traditions of wreaths and fillets worn in classical times. The motif of the ribbon, or band, goes back to antiquity, where it signified honor, status, or consecration. Think of the laurel wreaths adorning emperors, the fillets binding priestesses’ hair. Over time, this symbol has softened, becoming associated with feminine charm. We see it recur in Renaissance portraits and rococo paintings, each time carrying echoes of its former glory. The ribbon now evokes a sense of nostalgia, hinting at ideals of beauty and grace. The collective memory of these classical roots still subtly influences our perception, imbuing it with a sense of timeless beauty. In the ever-evolving stream of cultural symbols, the ribbon, like a gentle current, flows on.