What do graduation hats symbolize?

The cap and gown are not just traditional attire, but they are also a symbol of pride, achievement, and success. Wearing regalia during graduation signifies the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that it takes to complete a college degree.

What does a graduation hat represent?

It is traditionally associated with the successful completion of a degree, tertiary education, formal academia, and scholarly achievement. It is customary for a graduand to tip their hat in salutation (also referred to as 'doffing'), in respect to other academics and scholars.

What does a graduation hood symbolize?

You have earned your degree and the right to wear the academic hood. The academic hood is a visual representation of your level of academic achievement and the scholastic degree being conferred. This hood has been designed within the guidelines established by the Intercollegiate Bureau Of Academic Costume.

Where did the tradition of graduation caps come from?

Mortarboard caps are thought to have been created in the 15th century, as part of an evolution from a hat type known as a birettas which was used by Catholic clerics and professors. The distinctive square shape of a mortarboard is believed to signify a book, chosen in recognition of scholarly achievements.

What are the rules for graduation hats?

Wear your mortarboard like the academic pro you are. Place the cap on your head so the point is in the front, about 1 inch above the eyebrows. Your mortarboard should be worn level on your head, and the tassel should be placed on the right side.

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

Why do some graduates wear hats?

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 only female graduates wear caps?

A controversial part of the graduates dress, it is often issued only to women in Irish ceremonies which has led to urban legends that the idea of wearing the cap was abandoned in protest at the admission of women to the university. Another story is that it represents a 'cap' or an end to a female student's education.

What does the cap and gown symbolize?

According to legend, the privilege of wearing a cap was the initial right of a freed Roman slave. The academic cap, therefore, has become a sign of the freedom of scholarship. The flowing gown has become symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, for it covers clothing that could indicate rank or social stratum.

What does the graduation cap and gown symbolize?

This original European academic style was pervasive throughout the centuries and even into colonial America. After the Civil War, academic regalia was reserved strictly for graduation. For that reason, the cap and gown symbolize recognition and achievement.

What are graduation hats 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 history of graduation hats?

However, the academic cap actually originates from a different style of cap called a 'biretta'. The biretta was a tall round cap, first used by Roman Catholic clergy in Italy in the middle ages. The shape then evolved to have a seam up four sides, creating a square shape with corners.

What does the graduation cap symbolize Quran?

Even the 'mortar boards' of graduates are Islamic and derive from the flat hats of the scholars there who would rest the Qur'an on the 'mortar' to symbolize the primacy of Scripture over the intellect. The tassel at the back of the 'mortar board' was for bookmarking the pages of the Quran.

Do you keep your graduation hat?

We always recommend that after certain graduation traditions, such as the throwing of your graduation cap, you retrieve your graduation cap for keepsake. We also always recommend removing your graduation tassel before throwing your cap, so at the very least, you will have a tassel as a keepsake.

Why do graduates wear hoods?

They serve to communicate the owner's school, degree and field of study through their length and the colors of the lining and binding. Today's hoods have evolved from a serviceable article of clothing to a type of elongated scarf draped over the shoulders and displayed down the back with the lining turned inside out.

Should I keep my graduation cap and gown?

Saving one's cap and gown as a keepsake is probably the most common post-graduation purpose for them. Although they may end up in a dusty cardboard box in your attic, it provides a sense of comfort and reassurance to know that it will always be there whenever you want to think back on your graduation day.

What do graduates wear under their gowns?

Men – The best choice is a collared dress shirt and ties to showcase a professional and tidy appearance. Women – The best choice is a scoop-neck top with a modest cut or a collared blouse.

What is the history of the graduation cap and gown?

Caps and Gowns

Graduation gowns evolved from the long clerics' garments worn by medieval scholars as far back as the 12^th century, according to the American Council on Education's guide to academic regalia.

Why do graduates throw their caps UK?

The hats are thrown into the air , they are not thrown away and every time they are thrown they are retrieved. Graduates throw the hats into the air again and again so the camera can capture just the right look of triumph on the graduate's face.

Do men wear caps for graduation?

Those wearing academic costumes always wear their caps in academic processions and during the ceremony of conferring degrees. Men may remove caps during prayer, the playing of the national anthem and the alma mater, and at other specified times, e.g., during the baccalaureate sermon or the commencement address.

Who came up with graduation caps?

Introduction of Modern-Day Graduation Caps

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 a PhD graduation hat called?

The Doctoral Tam: The academic tam is a hat worn with the gown and hood. It is usually made of black velvet and features a tassel in a specific color that represents the degree being conferred. For example, a blue tassel signifies a PhD degree, while a gold tassel signifies an EdD degree.

Why are PhD hats different?

Doctoral tam

The style of tam is determined by the school from which one graduates. Fun fact: most doctoral tams have the tassel sewn to the fabric of the hat. Instead of moving the tassel from right to left, you turn the entire tam so that the tassel “moves” to the left side!

Can you throw your graduation hat?

Some schools embrace the tradition, while others have banned cap-tossing altogether. Several institutions have taken a middle ground stance, giving graduates soft caps to prevent injuries (the corners on traditional caps are sharp!). Have you tossed a cap?

What to do with graduation cap after graduation?

Some people throw away the cap and gown and keep the tassel as a keepsake. Some have the cap and tassel framed. Some save the cap and gown for a Halloween costume. Perhaps, it could be donated to a graduate , the following year, who can't afford one.

Is it better to hire or buy graduation gown?

Sometimes, renting graduation gowns can have a higher cost than you're anticipating. If you have more than one child graduating in a short amount of time, sometimes it's better to re-use a gown rather than rent one. As long as they don't mind, of course.