Significance of the Black Tassel Worn at College Graduations

The Significance of the Black Tassel

As graduation season approaches, students across the country prepare to don their caps and gowns. An iconic part of the graduation ensemble is the black tassel dangling from the mortarboard cap. This simple adornment carries deep meaning and signifies years of hard work finally coming to fruition.

The Black Tassel's Symbolic Message

The black tassel communicates a symbolic message to everyone who sees it. Its color represents the professional field of study the newly minted graduate is entering. For example, graduates with degrees in arts, letters, or humanities wear white tassels. Graduates in commerce, accountancy, business, or economics don black tassels with their caps.

The color is not the only aspect that carries meaning. The tassel's position also relays an important message. Candidates for degrees wear their tassels on the right side of their caps. After degree confirmation, graduates switch their tassels to the left side, signaling the fulfillment of all their academic requirements.

Culminating Years of Hard Work and Dedication

Earning a college degree requires tremendous dedication. Whether completing a two-year associate's program or a four-year bachelor's degree, students devote enormous time, effort, and resources toward their education.

The black tassel provides visible evidence that the graduate persevered through numerous challenges to accomplish their goal. Its presence on the cap visibly demonstrates pride in one's academic achievements.

Graduation Traditions and Customs

Academic institutions develop meaningful traditions around graduations. These customs imbue the ceremony with greater significance for both graduates and guests.

Wearing the Cap and Gown

Wearing the cap and gown signifies scholars have earned admission into the fellowship of educated men and women. The gown's flowing sleeves reflect a medieval scholar's attire. The cap resembles those worn by freed Roman slaves. Together, they represent the graduate's transition to academic freedom.

Faculty members may wear regalia indicating their alma maters or academic rank as they congratulate the next generation of scholars.

Diploma Ceremony and Tassel Shifting

The peak moment of any graduation comes when candidates cross the stage to receive their diplomas. After degree confirmation, new graduates switch their tassels from right to left. This simple gesture elicits raucous applause as it visually communicates degree completion.

Graduates also move their tassels at the end of the commencement ceremony. The entire graduating class shifts their tassels in unison. This collective motion imparts ceremonial gravitas to the occasion.

Celebrating Personal Achievement

For many graduates, commencement exercises cap years of tremendous personal struggle and sacrifice. Attaining a college degree while coping with economic hardship, family trouble, or health issues demonstrates perseverance and enormous inner strength.

Overcoming Challenges

Former foster youth who achieve graduation have conquered monumental odds. Only 3% of foster care alumni hold four-year degrees by age 25. Graduating defies daunting statistics and provides inspiration to others that overcoming life's challenges is possible.

First-generation college students also grapple with exceptional difficulties on their path to graduation day. Nearly a third are from low-income families and many work over 30 hours a week while enrolled. Though the obstacles seem insurmountable, seeing their tassels finally move from right to left validates their hard work.

Celebrating Academic Milestones

For anyone earning a degree, commencement provides a meaningful demarcation point. Graduation ceremonies recognize scholars' progression from student to graduate. Flipping their black tassels visually commemorates incredible academic tenacity.

Commencement both honors the graduate's achievement and acknowledges their readiness for new opportunities and responsibilities. With their black tassels swaying, they stand poised to apply their hard-won knowledge and talents to positively impact the world.

FAQs

Why do graduates wear black tassels?

The color signifies the graduate's field of study. For instance, graduates in business, commerce, accounting, or economics wear black. The color also symbolizes the hard work completed for their degrees.

When do graduates move their tassels?

Graduates switch their tassels from the right to the left side after receiving confirmation of their degrees. They also move them in unison at graduation, signifying they have completed their academic requirements.

Why do graduates wear caps and gowns?

Academic regalia welcomes graduates into the fellowship of scholars and represents the freedom and new responsibilities that come with their degrees.

What does first-generation graduate mean?

A first-generation graduate is the first person in their family to earn a college degree. They have overcome exceptional financial, personal, and educational hardships.

How does graduation inspire others?

Seeing graduates flip their black tassels demonstrates overcoming life's obstacles is achievable. It motivates others coping with difficulties to persist toward their goals.