What is the significance of the cap and gown?
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.
Where did the cap and gown tradition come from?
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.
What do tassels symbolize?
The tassel before graduation symbolizes your time as a student. When you move it to the other side, you are confirming your newfound graduate status. The tassel is then moved to the left at the end of the ceremony. College undergraduate ceremonies follow the same rules about turning the tassel.
What does a mortar board Symbolise?
Those funny hats are called “mortarboards” because they resemble a tool used by bricklayers to hold mortar. Scholars believe the mortarboard is based on the biretta, a similar hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy.
What does a graduation hat symbolize?
Graduation caps symbolize intellectual superiority and while bachelor degree graduates and undergraduates are required to wear the tassel on the left, higher academic achievement allows the graduate to move it to the right. So, it also plays a major symbolic role in the whole pageant.
What do graduation gowns mean?
Graduation gowns and hoods were worn to signify religious status. These gowns and hoods were not special attire for graduation ceremonies but rather were worn daily to differentiate students and professors from the town residents that were not associated with the university.
What is the meaning of graduation hat?
The graduation cap is a symbol of intelligence and superiority. When the tassel is transferred from the left to the right, it becomes more symbolic because it then signifies the students’ official status as a graduate.
What does tassels mean 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.
Why is it called a mortar board hat?
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.
Why do graduates move the tassel from right to left?
Generally here in the states tassels are worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony and are then moved to the left side to indicate that the wearer has passed from one level of learning to another like a diploma at high school or undergraduate degree – but they stay on the left and don’t move for a college …
What is a graduation gown called?
Academic regalia, also known as the “cap and gown,” varies according to the degree conferred and the level of scholarship attained. The bachelor’s gown is a simple robe that covers the entire body. The master’s gown has longer, closed sleeves.
What do we call graduation gown?
academic regalia
It is also known as academical dress, academicals, and, in the United States, as academic regalia. Contemporarily, it is commonly seen only at graduation ceremonies, but formerly academic dress was, and to a lesser degree in many ancient universities still is, worn daily.
Why do graduates wear caps and gowns at graduation?
What’s the History and Origin of Graduates Wearing Caps and Gowns? It has been an age-old tradition of graduates to wear graduation caps and gowns. In a way, the cap and gown symbolizes how special the day is in that only those who have toiled and persevered are given the right to wear them.
Why do we wear gowns in school?
Later that century, gowns were made the official dress of academics to prevent excessive apparel.
What is the significance of the tassel on a graduation cap?
At commencement, tassels are traditionally worn on the right side of the cap and then moved to the left once graduates receive their diplomas. Quite often a tassel’s color indicates the field of study. The significance of the tassel is most definitely religious.
What kind of CAP do you wear for academic regalia?
The mortarboard cap is the traditional style for use with academic regalia. This style cap is the standard for all degree levels, but can be substituted with a velvet tam at the doctoral level. A long tassel is fastened to a button on the top middle of the cap.