biretta
Sign in to savethumb|A traditional black biretta.
Article
17 sectionsContents
- Origins
- Liturgical biretta
- Catholic use
- Appearance
- Anglican use
- Lutheran use
- Academic biretta
- Doctoral degrees
- Use in medieval universities
- Use by pontifical universities
- Colors of doctoral birettas
- Depictions in art in Catholicism
- Use by women
- See also
- Notes and references
- Bibliography
- External links
thumb|A traditional black biretta.
The biretta () is a square cap with three or four peaks or horns, sometimes surmounted by a tuft. Traditionally the three-peaked biretta is worn by Christian clergy, especially Roman Catholic clergy, as well as some Lutheran and Anglican clergy. A four-peaked biretta is worn as academic dress (but not liturgically) by those holding a doctoral degree from a pontifical faculty or pontifical university or faculty. Occasionally the biretta is worn by legal professionals, for instance advocates in the Channel Islands or judges in some Polish courts.