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CONVOCATION 2024 | GeorgianCollege.ca 9 The lamp of knowledge The lamp of knowledge was derived from the ancient Egyptian ankh, a cross with a loop at the top. Originally, the ankh was regarded as a sacred symbol of life. Later, it was modified into the "lamp of life" with its eternal flame of knowledge. It is now the official symbol of higher education. The inspiration for adopting the lamp of knowledge as the official symbol for higher education may have come from the story of the Greek cynic philosopher Diogenes. Diogenes is said to have carried a lantern at noon in search of an "honest man." The "honest man" possibly represented truth and knowledge. Georgian College has embraced the mythology behind the lamp of knowledge and it can be seen in the Board of Governors' seal that embosses every Georgian credential. The Georgian Gonfalon The gonfalon is a declaration of pride and honour, acting as a representation of Georgian's standards, principles and ideals. Celebratory in nature, the convocation gonfalon is symbolic of the hard work and dedication put forth by each graduating class. Today, the college's gonfalon displays Georgian's coat of arms and official school colours, representing our college pride and our heritage. The history of regalia Academic dress and graduation date back to the 12th century at the formation of early institutions of higher learning in Europe. Historians believe that academic dress originated when scholars, who were largely clerics or aspiring clerics in the church, wore long robes and hoods to keep warm in unheated buildings. The practice of wearing gowns became more widespread when they were established as the official dress of academics in 1321 and "excess in apparel" was frowned upon. Variations on the long gowns, hoods and liripipes were later used by colleges and universities to differentiate and recognize the various grades of scholars. The academic dress is in the blue and green colours of Georgian College. Blue symbolizes the waters of Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Lake Simcoe, the Muskoka lakes, and other waterways in the Georgian Bay region. Green represents the college's natural setting and signifies growth and nurturing. It is to be worn only by those students who have successfully completed a ministry-approved certificate program, diploma program, graduate certificate program or degree program at Georgian College.