Caps and Gowns at Graduation

 

In medieval Europe the caps and gowns worn by the academic community were in black. The color black, the preference of ecclesiastical leaders, was a symbol of authority. This austerity has been retained by modern high schools and universities in the caps and gowns worn at graduation ceremonies. The tassel that graduates transfer from one side of the cap to the other as a sign of their elevation is an outgrowth of the medieval biretta, a tufted square cap appropriated by undergraduates and schoolboys.

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Example:

A: Hi, Jane. Graduation is next week. Have you rented your cap and gown yet?

B: You bet! My mom and dad have been taking pictures of me wearing them all week.

A: What do you do to keep your cap on? Mine falls off every time I look up.

B: No problem. Use booby pins and always look down. You never know what you’ll find.

A: Come on, be serious!

Hazing

Hazing, the submitting of initiates to indignities at the hands of upperclassmen, is a part of rites of passage. As a pledging rite, the freshmen, or fraternity pledges, prove their worthiness to be members of that particular body, by partaking in and going along with ridiculous, self-debasing acts. By doing so they show that they can and will confirm to the authority that governs that body.

Example:

A: What's Hal doing in a bunny suit?

B: Don't you know? He is a pledge to join a fraternity, and he's going through hazing.

A: Man, I guess I'll never join a frat. I'm not ever going to let somebody make such a fool out of me.

B: Perish the thought. You're doing fine all by yourself!

To see the image, click here! (the picture isn't uploaded here because of being a little impolite!)

The Sweet Sixteen Party

Since the number sixteen is said to represent the midpoint of the teen years, a "sweet sixteen" party has served as a kind of puberty initiation rite, particularly for girls. The expression "sweet sixteen and never been kissed," although perhaps not as true today as in earlier times, is still alive and serves as a theme for many parties celebrating the teen years.

Example:

A: Did you have a good birthday, Nancy?

B: Boy, was I ever embarrassed! We went out to dinner, and when my dad told the waiters it was my sixteenth birthday, they all sang "Happy Birthday" to me, and then one by one, they gave me a little kiss on the cheek.

B: Well, you know the old saying, "sweet sixteen and never been kissed." I guess they didn't want to see you miss out.

A: But I'm fine. I already have a boyfriend.

Bar Mitzvah

The bar mitzvah (a Herbrew term referring to the ceremony of marking one as a son of the commandment) occurs on the day after a Jewish law, thirteenth birthday. According to Jewish law, thirteen is considered the age of responsibility for boys. At the bar mitzvah the boy is required to give the a public address to emphasize his coming of age. The opening line for such a speech is: "Today I am a man." A similar ceremony, the bat mitzvah, marks the passage of a girl to womanhood.

Example:

The day of Josh's bar mitzvah was indeed a joyous occasion. After having spent many hours studying the Torah and preparing his public address for congregation, Josh felt that he was indeed ready to declare that he was a man. Now, as a young man ready to assume responsibilities, he was assigned the task of warmly greeting the guests, who had been invited to the reception that his parents had planned for this special day.

First Communion

The first Holy Communion, a Roman Catholic religious ceremony, has its origins in the Middle Ages, when children had to understand the distinction between plain bread and the bread of life (the body of Christ) before they were given Communion. Now church leaders accept seven or eight years old as an age of reason when the children (often dressed in white) receive their First Holy Communion, without requiring the children to explain the distinction between the two breads.

Example:

A: Where are you off, Sally?

B: I'm going to my confirmation class tonight. I have my First Communion next Sunday. My parents are having a get-together for family and friends after the ceremony. Why don't you drop by?

A: Don't mind if I do. And I'll bring a little something for you to make your day even more rewarding.

B: Only if you insist.

The Birthday Cake & Candles

With each birthday, Americans not only celebrate growth but also the passing of another year. Thus, candles are symbols of both life and and death, as well as both hope and fear. When a person makes a wish over these symbols, he/she invokes powers for good fortune. And when that person snuffs these symbols, he/she expresses the hope to have a degree of control over whatever lies in store for him/her.

Example:

A: Happy birthday! Now close your eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candles.

B: (The birthday girl blows out all of the candles at once.)

A: Hooray for you! You blew them all out in one breath. That means you'll get your wish for sure.

B: But, Dad. You said that you wouldn't allow me to have a chimpanzee as a pet around the house.

A: Oops!

Birthday Spankings

The mock spanking administered to a birthday boy or girl recalls a rite that has long been an integral feature of many initiation ceremonies. The "public" spanking highlights the specialness of the child and invites the child back into the fold by offering him or her luck (one to grow on) and congratulations.

Example:

A: I can hardly wait. My birthday is coming up in two more days.

B: (Jokingly) Will you still be getting your little birthday spanking to wish you luck and an extra one to grow on?

A: Get serious! Sure, Mom & Dad always pretended to "pat" my behind and tell me that I needed an extra one to grow on when I was growing up. But I'm already six feet, two inches tall. Does it look like I need to grow anymore?