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.
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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.
Why do graduates wear caps?
The cap and gown combination can be traced back to the academic and clerical dress commonly worn at the medieval universities of Europe. These early universities didn’t have buildings, so students would usually meet at churches.
Why do we wear a cap and gown for graduation?
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.
What does the tassel represent?
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.
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 proper name for a graduation cap?
mortarboard hat
Students of all ages are attending commencements from their couches and accepting virtual diplomas over Zoom meeting screens. Despite the pandemic, however, one tradition has persisted—the square graduation cap, commonly known as a mortarboard hat. (Related: Why 2020 graduates face a graduation like no other.)
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.
Why do graduates wear robes and square hats?
The hoods served to keep the scholars’ shaved heads warm. At one point, the hood is said to have been just an alms bag slung around their necks. The gowns were also thought to be necessary to keep graduates warm in unheated buildings.
What is the meaning of graduation?
the fact of finishing a degree or other course of study at a university or school, or the ceremony at which you are officially said to have finished: a graduation ceremony.
What should you not wear to graduation?
Being Underdressed or Overdressed
Clothes that are too formal, or not formal enough, will make you feel out of place when you should feel relaxed. Wearing jeans to your college graduation probably isn’t a smart choice, but a ball gown isn’t quite right, either. Aim for business or business casual for the ceremony.
What is the meaning of cap and gown?
cap and gown. Ceremonial dress worn at graduation exercises; by extension, the academic community (also see town and gown. For example, Mary was very proud) when she received her cap and gown for commencement. [ Mid-1800s]
What does a black graduation gown mean?
doctoral
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 do the different color cords at graduation mean?
Most high school honor societies give graduation cords to students. These clubs can include the National Honor Society (Gold) for academics, the National Speech and Debate Association (Red and Grey), and the International Thespian Society (Red) for theater.
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 does each tassel color 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.
Why do men not wear hats at graduation?
Tradition called for men to remove headgear indoors as a sign of respect, as these items were functional and often identified the wearer’s role in society: the soldier, the policeman, the clergyman.
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.
Do masters graduates wear caps?
Each master’s gown also comes with a cap (mortarboard) and tassel. Students graduating with a Masters Degree normally wear mortarboards and tassels. Unless you specify otherwise, master’s tassels are sent black, to match the cap and gown. This is how most people graduate.
Do masters students get hooded?
The master’s degree recipient typically wears a hood in the color that represents their school or college. The robe has an oddly shaped sleeve. The doctoral degree recipient can be indentified by the blue hood, velvet facing down the front of the robe and a gold tassel on the cap.
Why can’t graduates throw caps?
The tradition dates back to 1912 at the US Naval Academy. Prior to graduation, students of the Academy were required to serve two years as midshipmen before becoming commissioned as Navy officers, requiring them to keep their uniform hats.