As you know, the sinking of Korean Sewol ferry was shocking everybody these days. The yellow ribbon campaign (노란리본달기 캠페인) has been spreading quickly on the internet to pray for the victims of Sewol ferry.
This campaign is said to have originated in an American story about a man who was put in the prison for a long time. He wrote a letter to his wife telling her to tie a yellow ribbon around the ole oak tree in front of the house if she still loved him and could wait for him. On the way back home after being released, he was very nervous and anxious. Finally, to his surprise, instead of one yellow ribbon, he found out there were lots of yellow ribbons around the tree. From this story, yellow ribbon represents the wish for the beloved to come back safe and sound. Therefore, in Korean these days, people conduct the yellow ribbon campaign to pray for the missing victims of Sewol ferry.
Source: From Interparkbooks
Updated: Another story version about the yellow ribbons by jreidy17. Thank you very much.
“Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree” was about a solider returning home after serving 3 years in the military. 100 yellow ribbons tied around the tree signified how much she wanted her man to come home. So many families of service men tie yellow ribbons around their trees in remembrance of loved ones serving far away.”
Although the chance of survivor is very slim, we still hold our hope that they can still survive. Let’s pray for South Korea!
Yellow ribbons and a flower decorate the main gate of Danwon High School in Ansan, south of Seoul. Source: Pic: AP
♥♥SOSHI LOVE ♥♥ 
I always assumed “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree” was about a solider returning home after serving 3 years in the military. 100 yellow ribbons tied around the tree signified how much she wanted her man to come home. So many families of service men tie yellow ribbons around their trees in remembrance of loved ones serving far away.
I had seen this icon around the web but not realized what it was for. Thanks.
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Thanks for your information. There are many versions of stories about this yellow ribbon. My friend in Korea told me about this campaign. Many Koreans change their Kakaotalk avatars to this yellow ribbon photo to pray for the Sewol missing people.
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I agree with jreidy and had only heard of military stories for tying the yellow ribbon. Anyhow, whatever the reason, it’s lovely that the symbol of tying a yellow ribbon around a tree has to do with remembering loved ones. Wonderful!
p.s. There’s an old song (60s?) which has to do with it also, which I like too. Great post!
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Hello sf, I read about that story in a Korean website https://www.facebook.com/Interparkbooks/photos/a.171187626249061.36533.169593999741757/736360633065088/?type=1&theater
There are many versions of this story. There is even a song about this story too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4cyCuj3H9I
Let’s continue praying for South Korea. Thanks for your comment.
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The story sounds familiar, maybe, I have seen it in a movie. God bless all the empty hearts caused by the ferry accident.
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Thank you for your comments. I hope they can recover soon.
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