Graduation may mark the same milestone everywhere, but the way students celebrate it couldn’t be more different. Behind every quirky ritual lies history, symbolism, or student rebellion. Here’s how some of the world’s most fascinating graduation traditions started.
DIPLOMA CIRCLE – SMITH COLLEGE, USA
How it works: Graduates receive a diploma on stage — but it’s randomly assigned. After the ceremony, they gather in a circle and exchange diplomas until everyone has the correct one.
How it started: The practice emerged as a symbolic gesture reinforcing Smith’s values of community and collective achievement rather than individual spotlight. By removing the “moment” of receiving one’s own diploma, the college emphasised solidarity among graduates.
TOUCHING THE STATUE – UNIVERSITY OF PADUA, ITALY
How it works: Students touch the statue of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia for good luck before or after graduation.
How it started: Piscopia became the first woman in the world to receive a university degree in 1678 — at Padua. Over time, students began visiting her statue as a tribute to academic perseverance and intellectual courage, especially among women scholars.
LEI GIVING CEREMONY – UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MNOA, USA
How it works: Family and friends present graduates with flower leis during or after the ceremony.
How it started: The lei is a deeply rooted Hawaiian symbol of love, honour, and celebration. As higher education developed in Hawaii, local customs naturally blended with academic rituals, transforming graduation into a culturally rich community celebration.
CELEBRATION AT THE RED GATE – UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, JAPAN
How it works: Graduates gather under the iconic red gate for photos and celebratory gatherings after the formal ceremony.
How it started: The university’s historic Akamon (Red Gate), built in the 19th century, became a symbolic landmark of academic prestige. Over time, it evolved into a popular gathering spot marking entry into and exit from student life.
JUMPING THE BROOM – UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, GHANA
How it works: In some graduation celebrations, students symbolically jump over a broom, representing a fresh start.
How it started: The broom-jumping tradition has West African roots and later became widely known in African diaspora wedding ceremonies. In graduation contexts, it symbolises sweeping away the past and stepping into a new chapter.
SINGING GAUDEAMUS IGITUR – UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI, FINLAND
How it works: Graduates sing the Latin song Gaudeamus Igitur (“Let Us Rejoice”).
How it started: The song dates back to 18th-century European university culture. It celebrates youth and the fleeting nature of student life. Finnish universities retained it as part of their strong academic traditions rooted in continental Europe.
SUB FUSC DRESS CODE – UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, UK
How it works: Students wear “sub fusc” — dark formal clothing under academic gowns — during examinations and graduation ceremonies.
How it started: The tradition dates back centuries when universities were closely tied to the Church and formal dress signified seriousness and scholarly discipline. Oxford has preserved the ritual as part of its historic academic identity.
EGG-AND-FLOUR SHOWERS – UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA, SPAIN
How it works: Graduates are showered with eggs, flour, and sometimes confetti by friends.
How it started: The messy celebration evolved informally among student communities as a playful rite of passage. In Salamanca, one of Europe’s oldest universities, public marking of academic success gradually became a street-level festivity.
WHITE STUDENT CAPS – LUND UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN
How it works: Students wear distinctive white caps, often customised with inscriptions.
How it started: The cap tradition dates back to the 19th century when completing upper secondary education signified elite academic achievement. The custom carried into university graduation ceremonies as a symbol of scholarly identity.
THE “LAST LECTURE” – CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, USA
How it works: Professors deliver a lecture framed as if it were their final chance to share life lessons.
How it started: The tradition gained global recognition after Professor Randy Pausch delivered his moving 2007 lecture after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. His talk turned into a global phenomenon, inspiring similar events at universities worldwide.
WHY THESE TRADITIONS ENDURE
Some began as centuries-old academic rituals. Others started as student-led celebrations. But all of them serve the same purpose: turning a degree into a memory.
Because around the world, graduation isn’t just an ending it’s a cultural statement about what education means.
