What are mortarboard tassels?

The word 'mortarboard' has a couple of senses or meanings: 1: an academic cap with a flat square with a tassel on top; 2: a square board with a handle underneath; used by masons to hold or carry...

The mortarboard's historical roots can be traced to the mediaeval square biretta worn by both clergy and laity to indicate social status. As the affairs of the Church and academe became separated...

Tassels are the male flower of the corn plant that produces pollen. Pollen from the tassels fall down to the silks (where the ears grow) of another corn plant and in doing so, it fertilizes kernels....

The tassel in a corn plant is the male flower that produces pollin for the silks. It is found at the very top of corn plants after 2 or 3 months of growing.

It starts on the right and after you get your diploma you move it to the left .