Why Do Italian University Graduates Wear Laurel Wreaths?The Scholastic History Of Le Marche’s Floral Convocation Crown

URBINO, ITALY — A loud pop rings out from the center of the piazza, as pieces of colorful and
shining confetti shower University of Urbino graduate Benedetta Bruzzesi.

The 21-year-old psychology student was dressed in a tutu and fairy wings that glistened as the
summer sun hit them. The focal point of her outfit, however, was the floral crown that sat atop
her head. Bruzzesi’s unique outfit stood out amongst the crowd as she celebrated with friends
and family outside a buzzing café in Urbino’s historic Piazza della Repubblica.
“My sister made me wear this,” Bruzzesi said, as she playfully rolled her eyes and wrapped her
arm around her sister. “I feel a bit silly, but I’m celebrating with my family.”
During Urbino’s summer months, it’s hard to avoid throngs of university students striding
through the piazza wearing laurel wreaths and kitschy costumes.

Indeed, there are no caps and gowns for graduates here. Instead, students wear Greek-styled laurel wreaths made of interconnected bay plant leaves and branches, which are often adorned with colorful ribbons and flowers. The tradition stretches back to ancient times — and is
prevalent throughout Italy.

For some students, the colors of their laurel wreaths’ ribbons or flowers denote their major or degree concentration. Red ribbons, for example, are worn by law students. Dark green is reserved for biology and pharmacy majors. Blue signifies medical graduates.

Letizia Santi, a languages student, who is graduating from the University of Urbino in the fall, also plans to wear a laurel wreath on her graduation day.

Santi said her wreath will be decorated
with green and burgundy flowers and ribbons. She’s already ordered her wreath from a florist in the nearby seaside city of Pesaro.

“When I have the laurel on, I know I will feel happy and satisfied with my achievement,” Santi
said.

The laurel wreath’s roots trace back to ancient Greek mythology. Particularly, the laurel is associated with the Greek god Apollo, the patron god of poetry and music. Wreaths were typically worn by ancient Greek athletes and musicians competing in the Pythian games — a
quadrennial celebration dedicated to Apollo that dates back to 586 B.C.

Romans would later appropriate the fashion of laurel wreaths. Within Roman culture, a laurel wreath historically represented triumph and victory. Over the centuries, laurel wreaths’ popularity spread across Europe. It’s said both Roman general Julius Caesar and French military
commander Napoleon Bonaparte were both fond of wearing the leafy crowns. In Italy, the laurel wreath tradition amongst student graduates first originated at the University of Padua in northern Italy, and has since spread across the country. Laurel wreaths remain synonymous with academic, artistic or scientific achievement — and students in other countries now also wear them upon their convocation. The wreath’s influence has also crept into the lexicon. Coincidentally, the term “laureate” in well-known titles of ‘poet laureate’ or ‘Nobel laureate,’ is a reference to the laurel wreath. The old adage, “resting on one’s laurel,” is another wreath reference.

Tucked away on a small corner in Urbino lies La Primavera di Galeotti, a quaint family-run flower shop owned by 33-year-old Diana Galeotti.
Behind the counter, Galeotti, who wore a long blue dress, wrapped a fresh bouquet for the mother of a graduate.

Her cramped shop, which can maybe hold maybe five or six people at a time, overflowed with floral arrangements. A finished laurel wreath replete with red flowers
hung on a brass hook waiting to be picked up.

“The graduation period is a very intense moment for my work,” said Galeotti, whose parents first
opened the flower shop in 1962. “The graduation crowns are an artisanal work all done by hand,
tailored to the customer, based on their preferences to customize the crown.”

The end of the school year is a frantic time for the young florist. She, of course, fills dozens upon dozens of orders for floral arrangements, but laurel wreaths are also big business for Galeotti. She crafts hundreds of laurel wreaths every June and July. Each wreath sells at a starting price of 35 euros ($39) and can increase in price based on the complexity of any required customizations.

Galeotti, who feels a special connection to her student clientele, takes particular pride in crafting every laurel crown. Each wreath, she said, typically takes her 30 to 45 minutes to construct and decorate from start to finish. Galeotti brings each wreath to life by intertwining bay leaves in a circular shape then weaving and securing flowers or ribbon along the twisted leaves.

“It’s one of the things that make me the happiest in my job, meeting young students who appreciate my work,” she said.

In Urbino’s sun-drenched piazza, corks popped, prosecco was poured and glasses clinked as an army of university graduates wearing laurel wreaths toasted their convocation with family and
friends.
“I am proud, grateful and relieved,” said one university student, Chiara Constantini, who also wore a crown of foliage for her graduation on July 10.
It’s customary in Italy, Constantini said, to delegate a friend or family member to place the laurel wreath on a graduate’s head on the morning of their ceremony. Constantini’s brother, she said, did the honors for her on her special day.

“It’s special — the person closest to you will coronate you, so that’s something cute to do to include them in,” she said. “This tradition should be preserved, it’s part of who we are and it’s so important to me.” Constantini, 21, who majored in English and Mandarin at the University of Urbino, plans to enroll in a master’s program at the University of Venice, however, her dream is to teach Italian language classes in China or America.
The laurel Constantini wore atop her head on graduation day, she said, symbolizes the first steps of her new journey. “It’s great to do this with your friends. It’s a symbol of all of your hard work,” she added.