In American society, graduation has become a momentous signifier of the end of one period in life and the beginning of another. Whether this be from high school, college or any place else, the event of graduation has brought about an entire culture of traditions.
With the University of New Mexico’s graduation ceremonies beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 11, here’s a look at the origin of some graduation customs.
The tradition of wearing a cap and gown while graduating can be traced back to the 12th century, though at that time they were primarily worn to keep grads warm, according to the University of Illinois Chicago. The designs of typical graduation gowns were determined by the Intercollegiate Code of 1895, which the majority of universities follow to this day, according to UIC.
Square graduation caps — aka mortarboard caps — originated in the 16th century, according to National Geographic. The design was called “pileus quadratus,” and it was an early version of the caps that are commonplace now. Since early American schools like Harvard University were modeled after British universities such as Oxford and Cambridge University, this style of cap quickly became a fixture in American graduation ceremonies, according to National Geographic.
A few of major graduation traditions developed in America in the 20th century, according to National Geographic. The ritual of moving the cap’s tassel from the right side to the left after receiving one’s diploma started about a century ago and has grown to become a common way of demonstrating how graduation functions as a transition from one stage of life to another.
Caps were originally supposed to be worn for almost the entire ceremony, only to be removed during prayer, according to National Geographic. This changed when members of the United States Naval Academy’s 1912 class threw their midshipmen hats into the air upon receiving their officer hats.
Over the past century, the act of ceremonially tossing grad caps into the air has grown from a military-related tradition to perhaps the most well-known marker of the joy of graduation, according to National Geographic.
“Pomp and Circumstance,” the song commonly played at graduation ceremonies, was composed by English musician Edward Elgar in 1901, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Named after a passage from “Othello,” it was first played at an American graduation ceremony when Elgar received an honorary doctorate from Yale University, according to Smithsonian Magazine, and in the following years, it spread from one university to another.
At UNM, there are specific colors associated with each college and type of degree, according to UNM’s list of commencement traditions. The color and width of the velvet binding in the graduation gown’s hood is determined by the college that a graduate is receiving a degree from. For example, philosophy is blue and fine arts is brown, according to the list.
The color of the cap’s tassel serves the same purpose, according to the list.
The colors of the banners carried in the ceremony’s opening procession are also distinct to each college. Purple is for the School of Law, for example, while orange is for the School of Engineering.
Elijah Ritch is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. They can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
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