What is a Regalia for Graduation?

Special events also call for special attires. That is the case with graduation ceremonies; such an event only comes once in every academic level thus, it is celebrated with much pomp, regality and joy. 

On this special day, a special attire is required for candidates to wear and they are collectively called as the academic regalia or graduation regalia. Yet what is a regalia for graduation? How did it come to be? What is the purpose of it? In this article, we will tackle everything about the graduation regalia and the specifications that come along with it.

History

The history of the graduation regalia has come a long way. It traces its roots way back during the medieval era wherein plagues, wars and extreme poverty were prevalent. Many historians say that life was hard during this time that’s why it is sometimes called the “dark ages”, but during this time, academic institutions were starting to form and are starting to be more organized (thanks to the Church).

The church controlled academic institutions during this time. So naturally, the curriculum was utterly theology-based. Basically, every teaching should coincide with the Bible’s content and any contradicting idea is unwelcome or could be branded as heresy.

Considering the nature of the academic curriculum at this time, students at the time are nonetheless theological scholars-- basically they are monks, priests or priests to be. And because priests and monks wear long robes with hoods to protect themselves from the extreme cold weather (remember, there was no electricity during this time, so no room heaters!), plus some priests wear caps to distinguish their own order or priestly position (i.e. bishop, archbishop, cardinal).

The attire then was worn on a day to day basis because it is the official wear for priests and monks. Different colors and specific styles are also used to distinguish different religious orders but the overall design is similar. The social status of theological scholars was also defined by the fine quality of their garments’ fabric or by the jewelries they wore.

Time passed and the Church’s power eventually waned and was taken over by new types of economic and government systems; some academic institutions were also assumed by private people or by the government itself. During this time, drastic changes occurred especially on the academic curriculum and of course, on the dress codes and later on, a graduation regalia protocol was established.

The rules for the daily uniform of the students vary greatly from school to school, but the basic rules on graduation regalia remained true to its roots-- gowns/robes, hoods and caps; which are the basic pieces of a medieval scholar’s attire.

The Graduation Regalia Today

Nowadays, schools have standard rules pertaining to academic regalia. For kindergarten, middle school, elementary and high school candidates, the colors of their graduation gowns and caps are usually assigned by the school; usually pertaining to the school’s official colors. 

However for college, masters and doctorate candidates, black graduation gowns and caps are prescribed. Bachelor’s degree candidates are required to wear black graduation gowns with square-shaped sleeves and a matching black mortarboard-style graduation cap with a colored tassel that is in accord with the candidate’s academic discipline.

Masters degree candidates are also required to wear black graduation gowns but with elongated or oblong-shaped sleeves to distinguish them from the bachelor’s and doctorate degree candidates. Their black graduation caps are also mortarboard-styled with tassels that represent the color of the candidate’s academic discipline. Furthermore, masters degree candidates are required to wear graduation regalia hoods that are three and a half feet long. These hoods have colored linings that still represent the candidate’s academic discipline and the official color of the school.

Doctorate degree candidates on the other hand wear intricate designed graduation gowns. Although it is also colored black, different colored pipings and sleeve bands are present in the gown as details. The colors in these details are also in accordance to the wearer’s academic discipline. Doctorate degree candidates also wear special graduation caps commonly called academic tams. They are rounder and flatter compared to the mortarboard graduation cap. Academic tams are also colored black or dark blue and have bullion-colored tassels.

A graduation regalia purchase can be made in graduation shops, bookstores and even from schools who provide their own graduation apparel. Even today, graduation garments can be purchased online from credible websites which provide authentic graduation supplies.

Yet after all, what is a regalia for graduation? It is not just for traditional compliance, but it is a symbol of academic excellence and achievement. The traditional garments may only be significant during a graduation ceremony, and even if it only comes once in a while, the joy and pride felt by students and their families during this time is enough to last a lifetime.