What is the Mortarboard?

The mortarboard is a distinctive and significant element in the academic and ceremonial realm, widely recognized as a symbol of educational achievement and professional distinction. Worn by graduates, magistrates, and judges, the mortarboard reflects a historic tradition that dates back to ancient times. This article will delve into the characteristics, history, and cultural relevance of the mortarboard across various cultures and ceremonies.

Characteristics of the Mortarboard

• Structure: The mortarboard consists of a square horizontal panel attached to a hat, adorned with a tassel in the center, a design that persists in most academic mortarboards.
• Color: Although traditionally black, there are also versions in ivory, blue, and white, adapting to the representative colors of different institutions.
• Shape: Its distinctive prismatic shape makes it easily identifiable at ceremonial events.

Anonymous, Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Use in the University Community

• Graduates: In graduation ceremonies, the mortarboard is an essential part of the academic attire, symbolizing the culmination of an educational cycle.
• Academic Degrees: Mortarboards can be differentiated by color and design according to the academic degree and field of study. For example, doctors may wear mortarboards embellished with silk tassels that represent their discipline.
• Meaning: Beyond being a simple accessory, the mortarboard is an emblem of knowledge and academic dedication. In some traditions, it is used in coats of arms to denote the doctor's degree of the family.

Presence in Ceremonial Events

• Use by Magistrates and Judges: In addition to its academic relevance, the mortarboard is worn by judicial authorities at formal events, adding solemnity to their attire.
• Historical Tradition: Its origin dates back to Roman times with the *pileus quadratus*, evolving over the centuries into the modern mortarboard used by various ecclesiastical and academic communities.

Notable Examples of Mortarboard Use

• University of León: Known for its laureated mortarboard, which represents the symbol of a doctorate. It is common to see black mortarboards with tassels in the color corresponding to each discipline.
• National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM): Follows the Spanish tradition in its mortarboard but incorporates specific variations in the tassels and their arrangement.

Importance of the Mortarboard in Academic Culture

• Academic Identity: The mortarboard is integral to academic identity and is subject to institutional regulations to maintain its uniform character in official ceremonies.
• Customization: Although its essence is uniform, mortarboards can vary in design and color according to personal preferences, reflecting individuality within conformity.

The tradition of the mortarboard as part of ceremonial attire has endured throughout history, from its beginnings in ancient Rome to its current adoption in educational and judicial institutions. Its evolution and adaptation demonstrate the importance of these symbols in the perpetuation of traditions and the representation of academic and professional achievements.