You’ll spot young men and women wearing the iconic corona di alloro in cities like Rome, Milan, Bologna, Urbino, and beyond. These wreaths symbolise the completion of their university studies.
Laurel represents glory and victory, while red ribbons, a favourite among Italians, are believed to bring good luck. However, not all ribbons are red – graduates from different faculties have their own colours. For example, white is for philology, yellow for economics, and green for sciences.
Each university city has its own flair when it comes to graduation traditions. In Padua, for instance, graduates often add quirky or humorous elements to their laurel wreaths, such as small toys, photos, or ribbons.
This tradition dates back nearly 700 years to Dante himself, who studied in Bologna. He took inspiration from ancient Rome, where victors in battle wore similar wreaths. The word “laureate” even comes from this tradition, linking the laurel wreath to academic achievement worldwide.
Today, both women and men continue the tradition. In the past, people made these wreaths at home using freshly cut laurel branches. Now, they’re mass-produced and sold in florists across Italy.
A wreath typically costs around €25–45, depending on the number of leaves, the ribbon’s quality, and how fancy the shop is. Families and friends usually gift them to graduates, who often keep them as mementoes until the leaves lose their beauty.
Graduation celebrations are lively and full of fun. Graduates often party with friends and family, sometimes wearing costumes or completing playful challenges set by their peers.
