History
Cap and Gown – a European TraditionThe Gown
Historically, the gown originated as a form of academic dress at Medieval universities.
In addition to its use by church officers and representatives of the state, particularly judges, the ankle-length robe was also adopted in an academic context as an additional garment on account of the cold and draughty halls of Medieval universities. |
|
Wearing hats at universities, however, was prohibited and in their stead, caps and mortarboards were adopted.
The wearing of the gown has by no means been a recognised tradition since the beginning of universities themselves, but rather grew out of a compromise.
The student movement of 1968 challenged the attitudes of professors and the tradition of wearing gowns came into its firing line . The consequent change in attitudes has resulted in students and professors in Germany normally discontinuing the wearing of gowns at any time during their studies, including academic graduation ceremonies, such as those for Diplomas or Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Even official graduation or award ceremonies are no longer standard for the conferring of these academic degrees. The appropriate documents are often unceremoniously posted or must be collected from the secretary of the appropriate faculty.
Increasingly, students today are demanding that their achievements be properly honoured at an official graduation ceremony at which the diploma is conferred and they are proud to wear a cap and gown. This practice is currently being supported by leading and renowned German universities in particular. And so once again in Germany, as is the case internationally, we have formal and dignified graduation ceremonies that include academic regalia.
The cap (mortar board):The cap or mortar board has been in use since the 15th century and belongs to the official dress of scholars – historically, caps were used by professors to cover their heads. They were frequently decorated with embroidery, strings of pearls (only for aristocrats) or feathers (e.g. for Landsknechte - mercenary pikemen).
The cap or mortar board is the symbol for having attained the title of “doctor.” French historian Jacques Le Goff describes the elaborate doctorate examination in his book “Intellectuals in Medieval Times” as follows:
Today, the cap has become a black, four-sided hat with a tassel, and is worn not only by persons holding a doctorate or higher academic degrees, but also by graduates (for this purpose, called a “mortar board”).
In 1959, the American Committee for Academic Dress and Ceremonies issued the following guidelines for wearing the mortar board: During the ceremony and the conferral of the diploma, the hats shall be worn continuously. Men may remove the hats during the prayer and national anthem. This should then be done by all students. There are no general rules for the positioning of the tassel. At many universities, the following tradition has become established. Before the diploma is received, the tassel is worn on the right side. After graduation, the tassel is moved to the left side. |