Graduation day is a major milestone, filled with excitement, ceremony, and, yes — a bit of tradition. One of the most common questions among students preparing to don their cap and gown is: which side does the tassel go on before graduation? It's a small detail, but a meaningful one that symbolizes the transition from candidate to graduate. Whether you're walking for your high school diploma, a college degree, or even a postgraduate honor, understanding tassel etiquette is essential.
🎓 The Meaning Behind the Tassel Placement 🎓
Before the ceremony begins, your tassel has its place — and no, it’s not just about aesthetics. In American academic tradition, tassel placement before graduation signifies that a student has not yet officially graduated. The tassel starts on the right side of the graduation cap, also known as the mortarboard. This is more than just tradition; it's a visual cue that reflects your current academic standing.
During the graduation ceremony, there’s typically a formal moment — often led by the school principal, dean, or president — where graduates are instructed to move the tassel from the right to the left side. This movement represents your official transition from student to graduate and is one of the most symbolic parts of commencement day.
🎓 High School vs. College Graduation Tassel Etiquette 🎓
While the general rule holds that the tassel goes on the right side before the graduation ceremony, there are slight variations depending on the level of graduation:
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In high school graduations, the tassel is always placed on the right side before the ceremony begins. After the diploma is conferred, students are instructed to move the tassel to the left side to signify they have officially graduated.
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In college or university ceremonies, the same rule applies for most undergraduate degrees. However, graduates receiving master’s or doctoral degrees may already wear the tassel on the left side or follow different academic traditions, especially when a hood is involved.
Understanding this helps ensure you’re following correct graduation tassel traditions, no matter your level of education.
🎓 Special Cases and Honors Tassels 🎓
In addition to the standard black tassel worn by most graduates, some students may wear different colored tassels to represent academic honors, fields of study, or membership in honor societies. These distinctions don't typically change which side the tassel starts on, but they do carry extra meaning.
If you’re graduating with honors — cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude — you may be given a special tassel or cord to wear. Regardless of color or distinction, the tassel goes on the right side before graduation unless otherwise directed by your institution.
Always follow your school’s specific guidelines, as traditions can slightly vary by country, university, or even department.
🎓 Final Thoughts: Getting the Tassel Right 🎓
Knowing which side the tassel goes on before graduation ensures you show up on commencement day prepared, respectful of tradition, and ready for that defining moment when you move it from right to left. While it might seem like a small detail, it’s part of a centuries-old tradition that marks your academic journey's culmination.
So when you look in the mirror before heading to your ceremony, check that your tassel is hanging proudly on the right side of your cap — at least until you cross that stage.
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