mortarboard
Mortarboard is an English word with two main meanings. First, it refers to a small, square board with a handle used by bricklayers or masons to hold and carry mortar. Second, it commonly describes the flat, square academic cap with a tassel, traditionally worn by students during graduation ceremonies at schools and universities.
mortarboard hat
A mortarboard hat is a square, flat-topped cap traditionally worn by graduates during academic ceremonies, such as commencements. It features a stiff board-like top, often black, with a tassel attached that hangs from the center. The design resembles a builder's mortarboard tool, which is how it got its name. It is commonly used in English-speaking countries and is a symbol of academic achievement.
different graduation caps meaning
Different graduation caps, often mortarboards, can vary in color, style, and accessories, each carrying specific meanings based on academic traditions:
- **Tassel colors** typically represent the field of study. For example, a white tassel often signifies arts or humanities, golden yellow for science, light blue for education, orange for engineering, purple for law, green for medicine, and drab (light brown) for business. Some institutions customize these, so meanings can vary.
- **Cap styles** may indicate degree level. Undergraduates usually wear the standard flat mortarboard, while doctoral graduates might wear a soft tam or bonnet, symbolizing higher academic achievement.
- **Cap decorations or cords** can denote honors, such as gold cords for summa cum laude or specific stoles for membership in academic societies, though these are accessories rather than the cap itself.
In some cultures or universities, caps might incorporate regional elements, like beaded designs in certain Indigenous ceremonies, to reflect personal or cultural significance. Always check with the specific institution for exact interpretations.
types of graduation caps
The main types of graduation caps include:
The mortarboard, a square, flat cap with a tassel, commonly worn for bachelor's and master's degrees in many countries.
The doctoral tam, a soft, round or pillbox-style cap, often made of velvet and used for doctoral and higher academic ceremonies, particularly in the United States and some European institutions.
The bonnet, a soft, flat cap with a cord and sometimes a tassel, traditionally worn for certain degrees in the UK, such as PhDs or in Scottish universities.
Other variations include the Oxford cap, similar to a mortarboard but with a soft crown, and the John Harvard cap, a soft cap used in some historical or specific academic traditions.
graduation cap origin islam
The graduation cap, commonly known as a mortarboard, is part of academic regalia that originated in medieval European universities, particularly in institutions like those in England and Italy during the 12th century. Some historians propose a possible influence from Islamic scholarship during the Islamic Golden Age (8th to 14th centuries), when European scholars encountered Muslim intellectuals in places like Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain). For instance, the square shape of the cap may draw inspiration from the turbans or head coverings worn by Islamic scholars, such as the "turban" or "imamah," which symbolized knowledge and authority. However, this connection is debated, as the primary design likely evolved from European clerical and academic attire, including the biretta used by clergy. Direct evidence linking the cap specifically to Islamic origins is limited, and most sources emphasize its development within Western traditions.
graduation cap meaning tassel
The tassel on a graduation cap, also known as a mortarboard, symbolizes academic achievement and the completion of a degree. It is typically worn on the right side before the ceremony and moved to the left side afterward to signify the transition from student to graduate. The color of the tassel often represents the field of study, such as gold for science, blue for philosophy, or black for general use, though this varies by institution and country.
mortar board hat meaning
A mortar board hat, also known simply as a mortar board, is a square, flat academic cap with a tassel attached to the top. It is traditionally worn by graduates during school or university commencement ceremonies to symbolize the completion of their education. The name comes from its resemblance to the board used by bricklayers to hold mortar. In English-speaking countries, it is a common element of academic regalia, representing scholarly achievement.
graduation hat color meaning
Graduation hat colors, specifically the tassel colors on mortarboards, often symbolize the field of study or degree level in academic ceremonies, though meanings can vary by institution. Common tassel colors include:
White for arts, letters, and humanities
Golden yellow for science
Orange for engineering
Purple for law
Green for medicine
Pink for music
Light blue for education
Drab (light brown) for business
Maize for agriculture
Blue-violet for architecture
Lemon yellow for physical education
Dark blue for philosophy
Scarlet for theology
Some schools also use black tassels for all degrees or specific colors for doctoral levels, so it's best to check with the particular university for exact interpretations.