Meaning behind Rituals

The exciting things of a graduation ceremony are, pausing for photographs, procession and the award ceremony. Usually after photographs are taken, we notice the graduates flinging their ceremonial caps in to air. After the photographs were over, I happened enquired from the graduates the meaning behind flinging thier caps. They said, 'we do because we have seen others do'. I must confess I too did not know much about the origin of this ritual.

I got in touch with a retired Professor who is in his early eighties and wanted to hear from him the genesis of this ritual. 

He explained to me that there are three rituals associated with a graduating ceremony. First, is pausing for group photograph with the faculty and the chief guest of the graduation ceremony. There is a tea before this, during which time the graduating students meet with the faculty informally to say 'thank you'. This is a special occasion as graduates make personal conversation with the faculty.

Second is the photograph with the ceremonial dress with the faculty and chief guest. This symbolises the academic spirit of co-learning. The faculty learn from the students and the students from the faculty. It is this constitutes the academic milieu of the institution, an essential character of any good institution.

At the end of the photographs, the graduates normally bow in unison, in appreciation of what they have received from their Alma mater. Following this, they look up to the sky in gratitude towards God of universe for granting them knowledge and wisdom. It is after that, they fling the ceremonial cap into the air, as a symbol of freedom to move into the wide world of opportunities. It is important that they receive the cap into their hands as it descends, to affirm that they take charge of their future responsibly.

It is after this most meaningful exercise, they move in to form procession, to go into the convocation hall for the formal graduation ceremony. 

There are many meaningful symbolisms behind every ritual we follow. The fact that the rituals are meant to add meaning and richness to what we do is most refreshing. It is the meaning which is more important than the practice of a ritual itself. And yet, we sometimes continue a ritual without entering into its meaning.  

Make it  a habit to make rituals or traditions meaningful, by searching for their original meaning!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)