What Side Does the Tassel Go On Before You Graduate and Why It Matters
You’ve got your cap and gown ready, but one question always comes up before the big moment: what side does the tassel go on before you graduate? It might seem like a small detail, but that little piece of tradition carries a lot of meaning. Tassels don’t just decorate your cap—they represent the final step between being a student and becoming a graduate. Let’s unpack the symbolism, the correct placement, and everything else you need to know about this time-honored graduation ritual.
The History and Symbolism Behind the Tassel
The tradition of wearing a tassel dates back centuries and has roots in academic regalia worn by scholars and clergy in medieval Europe. Back then, gowns and hoods indicated your level of education or academic discipline, and accessories like tassels helped distinguish rank and achievement.
Over time, the tassel evolved from a purely decorative item into a symbol of accomplishment and transition. Today, moving the tassel is one of the most anticipated gestures during graduation—it represents officially crossing from one stage of life to another.
The tassel’s position and movement are steeped in symbolism. Before the ceremony, it identifies you as a candidate for graduation; afterward, when you move it, it marks your new status as a graduate. It’s a small but powerful act that connects generations of students across centuries.
What Side Does the Tassel Go On Before You Graduate?
Before you graduate—that is, before you receive your diploma or degree—the tassel should go on the right side of your cap. This placement is standard in most schools across the United States, from kindergarten graduations to university commencements.
Wearing it on the right side symbolizes that you are still a student or candidate awaiting official recognition. The moment you cross the stage or the announcer declares you a graduate, you move the tassel from the right to the left side.
That simple motion represents your academic transformation—your journey from student to graduate, from learning to achievement.
Quick Guide:
- Before the ceremony: Tassel on the right side
- After you graduate (or when instructed): Move it to the left side
This switch usually happens during a designated moment in the ceremony, often led by the principal, dean, or another academic leader who says something like, “Graduates, please move your tassels from right to left.”
Why the Right-to-Left Movement Matters
It might feel like a small, ceremonial gesture, but moving your tassel holds deep meaning. It’s the final, visible act of transition—a collective symbol of accomplishment shared by every student in the room.
The right-to-left movement mirrors a journey: you’ve completed your studies, passed your exams, and are now stepping into a new phase of life. It’s a symbolic “moving forward” that closes one chapter and opens another.
Even though it’s brief, it’s often one of the most emotional moments in the entire ceremony. It unites hundreds (or even thousands) of graduates in a single shared experience.
Differences Between High School and College Tassel Placement
Although most institutions follow the same right-to-left tradition, there can be slight variations depending on whether you’re graduating from high school, college, or a postgraduate program.
High School Graduations
At most high school ceremonies:
- You’ll wear the tassel on the right side before you walk.
- When your class is declared graduates, everyone moves the tassel to the left side simultaneously.
This group motion symbolizes unity—your entire class achieving a milestone together.
College and University Graduations
College tassel traditions are very similar, but they can vary slightly between institutions or degrees:
- Undergraduates generally follow the same rule: tassel on the right before the degree, move it to the left after.
- Graduate students (earning master’s or doctoral degrees) often start with the tassel already on the left side, since they’ve previously earned an undergraduate degree.
Always check your school’s specific instructions, as some universities include additional customs—especially during doctoral hooding ceremonies.
What About Different Degree Levels?
Each degree level sometimes carries its own academic traditions. Here’s how tassel placement usually differs among degree levels:
- High School and Associate’s Degrees: Tassel begins on the right and moves to the left after graduation is conferred.
- Bachelor’s Degrees: Same tradition—right before, left after.
- Master’s and Doctoral Degrees: Tassel often starts and stays on the left, as graduates are already degree holders. In doctoral ceremonies, the focus is on the placement of the hood rather than moving the tassel.
If you’re unsure, your commencement coordinator or student handbook will list your school’s official tassel policy.
Special Cases and Variations
Honors and Organization Tassels
Some students wear multiple tassels or cords to represent academic honors or membership in special societies. For example:
- Gold tassels often indicate academic excellence.
- Colored tassels can represent a specific field of study, such as blue for education or green for medicine.
- Dual tassels may symbolize double majors or participation in multiple programs.
These additional tassels don’t change the main rule—they still start on the right and move to the left when the degree is awarded.
Kindergarten and Elementary Graduations
Even at early educational levels, schools use tassels to introduce young students to the idea of celebration and achievement. Teachers often guide children to move their tassels together, teaching them the symbolic act of moving from one stage of learning to another.
International Differences
Outside the U.S., tassel traditions vary widely. In some European universities, for instance, tassels aren’t used at all—academic hoods and caps serve as the main markers of graduation. In Australia and parts of Asia, local customs or school-specific designs often replace tassel movements with other symbolic acts, like pinning badges or exchanging caps.
Tips for Wearing Your Graduation Cap and Tassel
Knowing which side the tassel goes on is just one part of wearing your regalia properly. Here are some tips to ensure you look your best for the big day:
- Secure your cap: Use bobby pins or clips to keep it in place, especially if you’re wearing your hair down or outdoors in windy conditions.
- Check your tassel before walking: Make sure it’s on the correct side before the ceremony begins—right side for most graduates.
- Avoid over-accessorizing: While it’s tempting to personalize your cap, make sure the tassel remains visible and easy to move during the ceremony.
- Straighten your mortarboard: The flat top of your cap should be parallel to the ground, not tilted backward.
Taking a few moments to adjust these details will ensure your graduation photos look picture-perfect.
The Emotional Significance of the Tassel Move
Moving your tassel isn’t just about following tradition—it’s an emotional milestone. It’s a universal gesture that connects you with millions of graduates who’ve walked before you.
The moment you move that tassel, you’re acknowledging your growth—the sleepless nights, the hard work, the challenges overcome, and the dreams realized. It’s a second that captures years of dedication.
When you toss your cap into the air afterward, that tassel still represents your success and your next chapter. It’s a small object that carries enormous meaning.
What Happens to the Tassel After Graduation?
Once the ceremony is over, many graduates keep their tassel as a cherished memento. Some ideas for preserving it include:
- Framing it alongside your diploma and graduation photo.
- Hanging it in your car or workspace as a reminder of your accomplishment.
- Adding it to a memory box with your cap, cords, and program booklet.
Your tassel becomes more than a souvenir—it’s a personal reminder of perseverance and achievement.
A Simple Gesture That Lasts a Lifetime
So, what side does the tassel go on before you graduate? It starts on the right side, then proudly moves to the left once your degree is official. But the meaning behind that movement runs far deeper than a simple tradition.
It represents transformation, success, and the moment your hard work pays off. Whether you’re graduating from high school, college, or beyond, that tiny tassel carries the weight of your entire academic journey. When you move it, you’re not just shifting sides—you’re stepping into your future.
