Why do graduates wear caps and gowns? The fascinating history behind the tradition and why the caps are tossed

Every graduation ceremony is filled with familiar sights: rows of students dressed in flowing gowns, square caps perched on their heads and the unforgettable moment when hundreds of caps soar into the air. These traditions are so common that few people stop to wonder where they came from or what they actually mean. But behind every cap, gown and tassel lies a fascinating history that stretches back hundreds of years.The academic attire worn during graduation ceremonies is much more than just ceremonial costumes. The academic regalia has a long history associated with education and signifies academic excellence and also links current graduates to the first universities in Europe. Even the very celebration of throwing off one’s graduation hat is not without its history.

The medieval origins of caps and gowns

The tradition of wearing academic robes dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when Europe’s first universities were established. Institutions such as the University of Bologna, the University of Paris and the University of Oxford became centres of higher learning, attracting scholars from different regions.In those days, classrooms and university buildings were often cold and poorly heated. Students and professors commonly wore long robes, cloaks and hoods simply to keep warm while attending lectures or studying for long hours in the universities. Many scholars also belonged to religious communities or the clergy and their clothing reflected the modest, robe-like garments worn by monks and church officials. With time, the utilitarian purpose of clothing became academic symbolism. Universities began adopting regulations regarding academic attire, which resulted in the introduction of robes, hoods, and caps in ceremonies. Different colours, decorations, and shapes of the hoods began to symbolise different academic fields as well as different levels of education – bachelors’, masters’ and PhDs’. In modern colleges, robes are not used to keep one warm anymore, but the tradition lives on.

Graduates wearing caps and gowns (Image Credit: Canva)

What the graduation cap and gown symbolise

The graduation gown represents knowledge, dedication and academic achievement. While today’s gowns are designed primarily for ceremonial purposes, they continue to reflect centuries-old traditions that honour scholarship and learning. The familiar square graduation cap, often called the “mortarboard”, gets its name because its flat shape resembles the board used by bricklayers to hold mortar. Historians believe its design may also have been inspired by the square biretta caps worn by clergy and scholars during the Renaissance. Other notable aspects include the presence of the tassel on top of the cap. At many universities, graduates begin the ceremony with the tassel on one side of the cap and move it to the other after receiving their degrees, symbolising the completion of their studies.Academic attire has also evolved over time. Today universities often use different gown styles, hood colours and tassel colours to indicate specific degrees, faculties or honours. Despite these variations, the central purpose remains the same: to celebrate learning, perseverance and academic accomplishment of students.

Graduates with tassel on top of their caps (Image Credit: Canva)

Why graduates throw their caps into the air

One of the most recognisable moments at any graduation ceremony is the joyful tradition of tossing caps into the air. While it feels timeless, this custom is actually much more recent than academic dress itself. A widely accepted explanation traces the tradition to the “United States Naval Academy” in 1912. In that year, graduating midshipmen were presented with their officers’ hats after completing their studies. Since they no longer needed their student caps, they threw them into the air in celebration. The dramatic gesture quickly captured public attention and gradually spread to colleges and universities across the United States before becoming popular around the world. Today, the cap toss symbolises freedom, achievement and the beginning of a new chapter. It marks the end of years of hard work, examinations and dedication while celebrating the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.However, not every institution encourages the practice. Some universities discourage cap tossing because of their own rules, safety concerns or to prevent damage and loss of graduation caps. Even so, where permitted, the tradition remains one of the happiest and most memorable moments of graduation day creating photographs that capture both accomplishment and hope for the future. Graduation ceremonies have changed in many ways over the centuries but the cap, gown and tassel continue to unite generations of students across the world. What began as practical clothing for medieval scholars has become one of education’s most recognisable traditions all over the world. Likewise, the cap toss has transformed from a military celebration into a global symbol of success marking the moment when graduates leave behind one chapter of life and confidently step into the next.The next time you watch a graduation ceremony, or take part in one yourself, you’ll know that every robe, every tassel and every cap thrown into the sky carries a history hundreds of years in the making.