Why yellow ribbons? The origins of the symbol of hope for the Israeli hostages

They are everywhere – yellow ribbons are tied to almost everything that stands still in Israel. People have pins on their clothing, ribbons flying from their wing-mirrors, tied around trees and lamp posts, woven into fences.

Close to the ALL ISRAEL NEWS offices the roadsides are decked with a sea of yellow flags. The whole land is awash with yellow reminders of the hostages.

There are many ribbons to raise awareness of one cause or another, pink for breast cancer, for example, but why has yellow been chosen for the hostages?

The answer, ironically, is tied to Iran. Yellow ribbons first became associated with waiting for the return of hostages in November 1979, when 52 Americans were taken hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

The entire staff were held captive for 444 long days. The National Museum of American Diplomacy tells the story of how the initiative came from Penne Laingen, wife of Bruce Laingen who was the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy at the time. She is recorded as saying,

“Tell them to do something constructive, because we need a great deal of patience. Just tell them to tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree.”

That might seem a slightly obscure activity if one wants to be constructive, but it comes from a song: “Tie a ribbon round the ole oak tree” in which a man being finally released from prison writes to his love, unsure if he’d be welcome home or not. He asks her to tie a yellow ribbon around the oak tree outside their house as a symbol that she was happy to see him come home. As he approached, he was too scared to look and asked the bus driver to tell him what he saw: 

“Bus driver, please look for me” the song goes, “'Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see. I'm really still in prison and my love, she holds the key. A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free – I wrote and told her please tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree.

It's been three long years, do you still want me? If I don't see a ribbon round the ole oak tree, I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me…”

Evidently, the bus driver responded in the affirmative, as the song continues, “Now the whole darned bus is cheerin' and I can't believe I see – a hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree. I'm comin' home.”

Penne Laingen believed that demonstrations of violence and anger would not help the hostages’ predicament but encouraged this symbolic act of displaying yellow ribbons as a way of expressing hope and eagerness to see the hostages return safely.

The hostages were finally released on Jan. 20, 1981, and at their first stop at a U.S. base in Germany they were welcomed by people waving homemade signs and yellow ribbons as they exited the plane.

After about four days in Germany, the hostages continued onward to the United States. During their sendoff, even the military band paid homage to the yellow ribbon’s symbolism, playing “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” as they boarded the plane.

A Washington Post article dubbed the song as the “unofficial hostage theme.” On finally arriving back to American soil, a yellow carpet was rolled out for their safe return. According to The National Museum of American Diplomacy, “By the end of the hostage crisis, the yellow ribbon’s appearance had become a national phenomenon.”

The same symbol was adopted when three Israeli soldiers were taken captive in the 1980's. One of the soldiers, Yoske Grof, explained after his release in 1985 how the yellow ribbon had also become a symbol of hope, unity, and the fight to bring everyone home to Israel.

Yoske Grof was one of three Israeli soldiers released in 1985 after spending three years as a hostage, explains the meaning of the yellow ribbon 🎗️#endthewar#BringThemHomeNow @KanILArchive pic.twitter.com/lKGcyQc6EZ

— UnXeptable (@UnxeptableD) January 14, 2025

Now as we eagerly await the return of the rest of the hostages held by Iranian proxy terror group Hamas for over 15 months, the land of Israel is thoroughly decked with yellow as far as the eye can see.

There will be no doubt of their warm welcome home. More than that, there’s a campaign to have women and girls braid their hair tomorrow in readiness for the return of Agam Berger. The message is going around social media: 

“Many of the female hostages have come out of captivity with their hair braided. Agam Berger, who is still being held by Hamas, has been doing her friend's braids, even as she stayed behind. The braids have become a symbol of strength, love, humanity and resilience. Agam is set to be released January 30th. In solidarity, let's have all of our girls wear a braid, tied with a yellow ribbon.”

“I can't believe I see – a hundred yellow ribbons…” and a multitude of braided heads. “I'm comin' home.”