Understanding the components of academic regalia can seem daunting, particularly when it comes to the distinguished Doctorate Degree Hood. This garment is a key element of graduation attire, rich with symbolism and tradition. A doctorate degree hood is not merely a piece of fabric; it represents years of dedication, advanced scholarship, and achievement in a specific field.
What exactly is a doctorate hood, and what do all the colors and components signify? Let’s break down the anatomy of this important piece of academic dress.
A doctoral graduation hood is significantly larger than both bachelor’s and master’s hoods, a visual representation of the highest academic achievement. As outlined in the Academic Costume Code, these hoods are designed to be both generously proportioned and clearly distinctive. There are four key areas to understand when examining a doctorate hood: the velvet color, the lining color, the chevron color, and the fabric color.
Understanding the Anatomy of a Doctorate Hood
The velvet color of the doctoral hood is perhaps the most immediately noticeable feature. This band of color, typically four or five inches wide, is not merely decorative. It is a visual indicator of the graduate’s field of study. Each discipline is associated with a specific color, creating a system that allows observers to quickly identify the wearer’s area of expertise. For instance, dark blue represents Philosophy, while Science Gold signifies Science, and purple is for Law.
The lining color of the hood, which is the inner fabric that peeks out, reveals the institution that granted the doctorate degree. Universities typically have official colors, and these are proudly displayed in the hood lining. Often, institutions will use two colors, with the primary school color occupying the larger area of the lining.
The chevron color is the secondary school color, presented as a smaller, inverted V-shape within the lining. Not all doctorate hoods feature a chevron, but when present, it further emphasizes the degree-granting institution’s identity.
Finally, the fabric color of the hood itself is traditionally black for doctorate degrees. This provides a neutral backdrop that allows the velvet and lining colors to stand out, ensuring that the symbolism of the hood is clearly communicated.
To further clarify the meaning behind the velvet colors, here is a table detailing common disciplines and their corresponding colors used in academic regalia:
| Discipline | Velvet Color | Discipline | Velvet Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | Drab | Agriculture | Maize |
| Architecture | Blue-Violet | Arts | White |
| Arts in Education | Light Blue | Business Administration | Drab |
| Business Education | Drab | Canon Law | Scarlet |
| Chiropody | Nile Green | Chiropractic | Silver |
| City Planning | Blue-Violet | Civil Engineering | Orange |
| Commerce | Drab | Commercial Science | Drab |
| Communication | Crimson | Conservation | Russet |
| Counseling and Guidance | Light Blue | Criminology | Science Gold |
| Criminal Justice | Midnight Blue | Dental Surgery | Lilac |
| Dentistry | Lilac | Divinity | Scarlet |
| Dramatic Arts | Brown | Economics | Copper |
| Education | Light Blue | Engineering | Orange |
| English | White | Environmental Science | Science Gold |
| Fine Arts | Brown | Foreign Affairs | Aquamarine |
| Foreign Service | Peacock Blue | Forestry | Russet |
| Government | Peacock Blue | Health and Rehabilitation | Sage Green |
| History | White | Hygiene | Sage Green |
| Industrial Arts | Science Gold | Industrial and Labor Relations | Drab |
| PhD (General) | Dark Blue | Journalism | Crimson |
| Jurisprudence | Purple | Law | Purple |
| Letters | White | Literature | White |
| Library Science | Lemon | Mathematics | Science Gold |
| Medicine | Kelly Green | Military Science | Science Gold |
| Music | Pink | Naprapathy | Silver |
| Nursing | Apricot | Optometry | Aquamarine |
| Oratory | Silver | Osteopathy | Kelly Green |
| Pedagogy | Light Blue | Personnel Services | Peacock Blue |
| Pharmacy | Olive | Philanthropy | Science Gold |
| Philosophy | Dark Blue | Physical Science | Saga Green |
| Physics | Science Gold | Podiatry | Nile Green |
| Police Science | Science Gold | Political Science | Dark Blue |
| Psychology | Gold | Public Administration | Peacock Blue |
| Public Health | Salmon Pink | Public Service | Peacock Blue |
| Regional Planning | Blue-Violet | Religious Education | Light Blue |
| Sacred Theology | Scarlet | Sanitary Science | Citron |
| Science | Science Gold | Social Ethics | Dark Blue |
| Social Science | Citron | Social Service | Citron |
| Social Work | Citron | Sociology | White |
| Speech | Silver | Surgical Chiropody | Nile Green |
| Theology | Scarlet | Urban Life | Citron |
| Urban Planning | Blue-Violet | Veterinary Science | Gray |
In conclusion, the doctorate degree hood is a powerful symbol of academic achievement. Each color and component is deliberately chosen and carries significant meaning, representing both the graduate’s discipline and the institution from which they earned their degree. Understanding these elements allows for a deeper appreciation of the traditions and symbolism embedded within academic regalia.
