Adding to the above ribbons and colours had the same significance in days when few could read, as badges and that kind of thing has now.
As you have said Ed a lot of songs use ribbons and colours they used to mean a lot once.
A good example is that in the English Civil War an entire baggage train was captured because the Officer leading the troopers towards what he thought were his own side was wearing the same coloured hat as one of the Officers on the other side was known to wear, when the mistake was noticed it was to late.
I hope it makes sense wl