Oxford Examination Carnations

Traditions, traditions, Oxford is full of them, but the examination carnations are definitely one of my favorites. Whilst by Oxford standards they are a relatively new tradition, (thought to have originated in the late 1990s), carnations are worn during exam time to signify how far along each student is with their exams.  White carnations are worn for the first exam, red carnations for the last and pink carnations for all the exams in between.  

One suggested reason for this tradition is that students used to place a white carnation in their 

red ink-pots between exams, so by the last exam it was completely red.  

Unlike the strict academic dress called sub fusc, which all students must wear to exams, (another weird and wonderful tradition), carnations are not compulsory, but tradition also states that students must be given the flowers by someone else. Whatever the reason, I hope that this is one tradition that is here to stay - It is so nice to see people all around town buying each other flowers, wishing strangers luck and congratulating those wearing red. 

Where to purchase your carnations

The florists in Oxford sell out extremely quickly during exam time and the price per stem seems to go up every day! Try 'The Garden' or 'Jemini' at the Oxford Covered Market or if you're super organised, (or just plain lazy) you can order online at 'Oxford Carnations,' and have them delivered to your pigeon hole.

Photo: JCM Photos

Oxford Matriculation Ceremony

If you are walking around Oxford this weekend you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into the set of a Harry Potter movie.  As the first weekend of full term, it is a special one for Oxford in which one of its most famous traditions, Matriculation takes place.

Matriculation is a fancy ceremony that marks students formal admission into Oxford University. Students are marched from their various colleges in full academic dress (or sub-fusc) to the Sheldonian Theatre where they are greeted in both English & Latin by the Vice Chancellor. The ceremony itself only takes around half an hour and unfortunately only students may attended however you’re bound to see them before and after the ceremony wizzing past on their bikes or posing for photos outside.

Sub-fusc is worn by students for exams and formal academic occasions and is the full cap and gown affair. Students may wear either the gown from their previous degree (regardless of which University they attended), or the Oxford Graduate Student’s Gown, with the streamers on the side. In addition, men wear a dark suit, black socks and shoes, a white shirt and white bow tie. Women wear a black skirt, white blouse, black tights, black shoes and a black tie. That said, there doesn’t seem to be any regulations as to how short the girls’ skirt can be or what type of shoes they can wear. I wouldn’t exactly call black Cons formal.