amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Dishka · 04-20-2005, 12:16 AM

The hats(Im positive there is an actual name for this besides hat) that the cardinals wear-the red ones with the pom pom on top and the 3 fins on top. What is the symbolic meaning of it. Why do they wear it with one side finless as opposed to the front or back not having the fin? Ive also seen regular priests wear black ones for funerals, but I seem to recall the black ones having 4 fins. But I could be remembering incorrectly on that.

Does anyone have the symbolic explaination for this particular garment?

maryalene · 04-20-2005, 10:26 AM

I never thought there was any symbolicism to their hats, but I did some searching. It looks like the square hat is called a biretta. I found these links:

http://newadvent.org/cathen/02577a.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biretta

The other hat I think you are referring to is a mitre:

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~acoly...nts/mitre.html

The above website also has a lot of other pictures and information about the different types of vestments used:

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~acoly...20Vestments/#2

Dishka · 04-20-2005, 10:32 AM

The Biretta was the one I was talking about, thanks!

Im sure there has got to be a reason for the particular design of things, it just doesnt makes sense to just create a hat like that without a reason.

ETA:
Ok, just read and it seems that there is a reason for the fin things, but nothing significant. Nothing symbolic anyhow.

Thanks for the links!!!