Hey everyone! I just attended a friend’s graduation ceremony at the Complutense University of Madrid, and the atmosphere was incredible! Besides the academic gowns, the most eye-catching things were the colorful sashes everyone wore. At first, I thought students just picked their favorite color, but it turns out I was so naive. After some research, I discovered there’s a whole system behind the colors!
In Spanish, this sash is called a Beca or Banda de graduación, and it’s a very important tradition at Spanish university graduation ceremonies. It’s not just a symbol of completing your studies but also a representation of identity and honor. The sash usually features the university’s crest, the faculty’s name, and the graduation year.
The Big Reveal of Major Colors
The most important feature of the sash is its color, as different colors represent different fields of knowledge. This tradition of Spanish University Graduation Sashes dates back to the Middle Ages and is closely linked to the Church’s influence on universities at the time. Each discipline’s color has its own unique historical origin. Below, I’ve compiled a guide for you to see which ‘color family’ your major belongs to.
Common Major Color Chart
I’ve put together a chart of common majors and their corresponding colors. Most public universities follow this system, but of course, some individual universities or specific programs might have their own special colors!
| Field of Study | Sash Color | Example Majors |
|---|
| Arts & Humanities | Light Blue | Philosophy, Linguistics, Geography, History |
| Law & Social Sciences | Red | Law, Political Science, Sociology |
| Economics & Business | Orange | Economics, Business Administration |
| Health Sciences | Yellow | Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Veterinary Science |
| Experimental Sciences | Dark Blue | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics |
| Engineering & Architecture | Brown | Various Engineering fields, Architecture |
| Fine Arts | White | Fine Arts, Design, Conservation, Art History |
| Journalism & Information Sciences | Gray | Journalism, Audiovisual Communication, Advertising |
For example, the red for Law is said to originate from the red robes of ancient ecclesiastical judges, while the yellow for Medicine is associated with Hippocrates, the father of medicine, symbolizing wisdom and enlightenment. Each color has a little story behind it, isn’t that fascinating? Seeing all the different colored sashes together really gives you a sense of the diversity and legacy of knowledge.
What do you all think of this tradition? Or does your major’s sash have a special or different color? Feel free to discuss and share in the comments section below!
