When you see people graduate, you may wonder about the graduation cords. You may want to know the meaning of them and whether they are different from other graduates or not. Let’s find out the information about graduation cords here according to some online sources.
What Are Graduation Cords?
According to the Graduation Source site, graduation cords are accessories like a rope that is draped around the neck of the graduation so the two tassels hang down the gown. It is important for you to note that there are a lot of colors of graduation cords and those are codified by the Association of College Honor Societies.
The Meaning of Graduation Cord Colors
According to the Graduation Source site, here are the meanings of graduation cord colors.
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Gold
For graduation cords, this color is the most popular color. This color contrasts well with a black gown. Gold color also signifies a variety of honors. The Spanish National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority are some examples that use gold cords. Gold color is a universally recognized color for any academic discipline and this color symbolizes prosperity, compassion, love and wisdom.
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Silver
This color of graduation cords identifies graduates with veterinary science, oratory, and other medical science degrees. Sometimes, agriculture, business management, and physics departments also use this silver graduation cord. This color means kindness, elegance, hope and sensitivity.
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Royal Blue
This color identifies virtually any discipline, but often it is seen in leadership, community service, and other social sciences. Alpha Kappa Mu, Phi Kappa Pi, ASGA, Distributive Education Clubs of America, and FFA use royal blue cords. The meaning of this color is superiority, trustworthiness, and sophistication.
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Navy Blue
This color looks awesome with a black cap and gown. Usually, this graduation cord color is used by Philosophy graduates. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers use it when paired with a silver cord. Besides, since 1748, the British Navy has been using this color as well. Since then, there are a lot of navies around the world that have adopted it. For your information, the meaning of navy color is loyalty, intelligence, and wisdom.
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Sky Blue
Sky blue graduation cord is usually designed for graduates in Education. This sky blue cord is used by Eagle Scout in their commencement ceremony. There are also a lot of fraternities and sororities that incorporate sky blue such as Phi Beta Kappa and Gamma Phi Delta. Sky blue color symbolizes honesty and intelligence.
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Red
Red graduation cords are usually used by music, journalism, conservation, public health, and many other disciplines. The deep cardinal red also signifies membership to societies, for example, the Spanish National Honors Society, Gamma Sigma Alpha, ASGA, and Alpha Beta Kappa. Red cords symbolize willpower, courage, and strength.
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Purple
There are a lot of societies that use purple. Some of them are the Science National Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi and HOSA. This color is also designated as the official color for dental and law students. Another use of this color is for urban planning and architecture graduates. This color is the symbol of creativity, ambition, and devotion.
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Emerald Green
Emerald green graduation cords are usually used by medicine graduates and also students who have been recognized for their community service. Besides, there are also a lot of Greek organizations that have included this color in their cord color schemes such as Sigma Lambda Alpha, Kappa Delta Pi, and Phi Sigma. Emerald green is a symbol of renewal, growth, and wellbeing.
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Maroon
Maroon graduations cords are usually used by forestry and theology degrees. Besides, these are also used to designated membership in honors societies like Alpha Sigma Lambda, Omega Chi Epsilon, and Delta Epsilon Sigma. There are also a lot of universities that use this color in their official colors such as Boston College, University of Chicago, and Texas A&M. Maroon color is a symbol of passion, confidence, and power.
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Orange
When commencements, orange cords are worn by engineering graduates. This orange cord is also used by Tau Beta Pi members. Orange cord color is the symbol of individuality and the creative spirit. There are a lot of homeschooling programs that rely on bright orange cords for graduates.
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Turquoise
Turquoise graduation cords are often worn by public administration and performing arts graduates. This color is different from others so that it makes an unforgettable impression on graduation day. Turquoise cords are also used by sororities from Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Kappa Delta to commencement. Turquoise is a symbol of serenity, energy and balance.
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Forest Green
It is important for you to note that graduation cords’ meaning can change depending on your institution to reflect established traditions and symbolism. For example, Medicine graduates sometimes use forest green graduation cords, but sometimes they use silver cords. In the Biology and General Sciences departments, forest green is also a popular shade. The meaning of green color is growth, hope and rebirth.
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White
White graduation cords are usually used to honor graduates in the Humanities and Arts. Besides, white cords are also used by the Music Honor Society, French National Honor Society, and Alpha Kappa Mu, and Sigma Theta Tau. The meaning of white color is spirituality, purity, and possibility.
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Black
Black graduation cord is usually used by business administration, accounting, and business education. Black color is the symbol of authority, power and prestige.
The Meaning of Latin Graduation Cords Variations
According to the Huga Teen site, there are three Latin graduation cords variations as you are able to read below.
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Summa Cum Laude
Summa Cum Laude is the highest honor that you are able to receive as a student. If you get this, it means that you are one of the best students in your year academically. The meaning of the phrase “Summa Cum Laude” is “with the highest honor”. If you want to get this honor, you must have a GPA of 3.9 which means that you have to get As in all your classes.
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Magna Cum Laude
At a high school graduation, it is the second level of honors. If you want to get this honor, you must have a GPA of 3.75. The meaning of Magna Cum Laude is ‘with great honor’.
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Cum Laude
The meaning of Cum Laude is “with praise”. If you want to get this honor, you must have a GPA of 3.5. This honor is the lowest honor of the three Latin cords.
