What is the origin of the graduation cap?

This particular style of cap is believed to have been developed in the 15th century, evolving from the square-shaped birettas used by Catholic clerics, scholars, and professors. The tassel worn on the mortarboard is the one item of regalia that has probably allowed for the greatest latitude when it comes to traditions.

Where did the tradition of graduation caps come from?

Many scholars believe the mortarboard style cap graduates don was developed from the biretta, a similar-looking Italian hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy. In the 12th and 13th centuries, students and teachers typically wore clerical clothing because the church was highly influential at this time.

What does the graduation cap symbolize?

Academically, caps were typically worn to signify achievement in high levels of education (master's and doctorate degrees), but have since trickled down to other levels like bachelor's degrees, high school diplomas, and virtually any student celebrating a commencement.

Who came up with the graduation cap?

During the 16th and 17th centuries, it was called a “corner-cap”. By 1950, a Catholic priest named Joseph Durham and an inventor named Edward O'Reilly were working together to file a mortarboard patent in the United States.

What is the origin of the graduation cap and gown?

When did graduates start wearing caps and gown? The tradition goes back to 12th century Europe, when the first universities were founded. According to Columbia University, gowns and hoods were worn by clergy, and their students adopted the same garb.

Why Do Graduates Wear Caps and Gowns and Judges Wear Robes?

What does the cap and gown symbolize?

After the Civil War, academic regalia was reserved strictly for graduation. For that reason, the cap and gown symbolize recognition and achievement. While hoods are no longer in use for warmth, they remain in use as a decorative piece representing one's field of study.

Why do only female graduates wear caps?

Like many other traditions in Ireland, the Catholic church had some influence over this social norm. Men are expected to remove hats in places of worship, as a mark of respect and to avoid “dishonouring” his head, while women are required to remain covered during acts of worship.

What is the origin of the mortarboard?

Origins. The mortarboard is generally believed by scholars to have developed from the biretta, a similar-looking hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy. The biretta itself may have been a development of the Roman pileus quadratus, a type of skullcap with superposed square and tump (meaning small mound).

Why do graduates wear mortarboards?

Photos: hats for every occasion throughout history

Today, American graduates in law, medicine, and philosophy still wear rounded caps, but undergraduates have firmly claimed the square cap—often called a mortarboard since they resemble the square tray bricklayers use when applying mortar.

What is the graduation cap called?

The graduate hat (also known as an academic cap, graduate cap, mortarboard, or trencher) is part of the formal academic attire to be worn by graduating students (graduands) during the graduation ceremony.

What is the significance of the tassel on graduation cap?

The graduation tassel is a symbol of success. Some believe the reason why you place the tassel on the right is because you have earned the right to graduate. Moving the tassel to the left after graduating is symbolic of crossing over from high school (or college) to another stage in your life.

Why do graduation hats have a tassel?

What Side Does The Tassel Go On Before Graduation? For purposes of uniformity and celebration, there is a tassel tradition during the ceremony where graduates move their tassel from one side of their cap to another to signify earning a degree.

What does the tassel symbolize?

The graduation tassel attached to a mortarboard for a school or college represents a belonging to a particular class that has completed its goals. 3) The turning of the tassel has become a more modern tradition, used to signify a person's transition from candidate to graduate.

What is it called when you throw your graduation cap in the air?

The tradition of throwing the mortarboard — named for its resemblance to a tool used by masons to hold mortar and made fashionable in the 14th and 15th centuries by artists and students — started at the Naval Academy in 1912.

What does a black graduation gown mean?

Most schools use the color black for their doctoral gowns. Some doctoral degrees have specially colored velvet or piping that reflects their academic field.

What does a tassel symbolize in the Bible?

In the Hebrew Bible, the Lord spoke to Moses instructing him to tell the Israelites to make tassels (Hebrew tzitzit) on the corners of their garments, to help them to remember all the commandments of the Lord and to keep them (Numbers 15:37-40), and as a sign of holiness.

What does the yellow cord mean at graduation?

Used by such prestigious academic honor societies as Kappa Theta Epsilon and Phi Sigma, the yellow graduation cord is most often used to represent excellence in the biological sciences, in both public and academic administration, and in general education and growth.

What is the history of a tassel?

In Egypt and Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, tassels were worn as amulets on headdresses to protect the wearer from evil spirits. Archeologists have unearthed tassels in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs dating back thousands of years.

What do tassel colors mean?

Below are some of the different colors of tassels and cords one might expect to see during graduation. Tassels: Black – College of Applied Science and Technology. Orange – Electronics Engineering (Bachelor Degrees) White – Telitha E.

What do the ropes mean on graduation?

A graduation rope, or honor cord, is worn to represent an achievement of the student or their participation in a specific group or study, which is identified by the color or colors of the cord.

What does a teal tassel mean?

Some academic honor societies use teal graduation cords to award special honors to their members, or to students who have shown particular talent in the social sciences, but the teal honor cord can be offered to any students who have shown their ability in the academic world in a special way, like by participating in ...

What does a royal blue tassel mean?

Graduate Tassels in Blue and White

A royal blue and white graduation tassel is a traditional choice that many schools and societies use to honor their graduates. Royal blue represents dedication to academic excellence, while the white represents the unique spirit of lifelong learning.

Why do graduation hats look the way they do?

Those funny hats are called "mortarboards" because they resemble a tool used by bricklayers to hold mortar. In some areas, they're also called "square academic caps" or "Oxford caps." The mortarboard consists of a flat, square board attached to a skullcap, with a tassel buttoned to the center.

What does a lavender graduation cord mean?

Lavender Honor Cord for Commencement and Graduation

The lavender graduation cord is meant to give special honors to those students who have exemplified a quiet determination as they have achieved their scholarly goals, and much more.

What does the red cord mean at graduation?

Red. Red graduation honor cords showcase degrees in journalism, music, public health, conservation, and many other disciplines. Additionally, the deep cardinal red signifies membership to societies. These include the Spanish National Honors Society, ASGA, Gamma Sigma Alpha, and Alpha Beta Kappa.