stole

stole, ecclesiastical vestment worn by Roman Catholic deacons, priests, and bishops and by some Anglican, Lutheran, and other Protestant clergy. An ecclesiastical stole is usually made of silk and is 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide and about 8 feet (2.4 meters) long. It is typically the same color as the major vestments worn for the occasion, though some Protestant clergy wear stoles with colors or symbols that do not conform to standard liturgical colors. The Roman Catholic deacon wears it over the left shoulder with ends joined under the right arm; priests and bishops wear it around the neck with ends hanging vertically, except that priests cross the ends in front when wearing an alb. In the Roman Catholic Church it is a symbol of immortality. It is generally considered the unique badge of the ordained ministry and is conferred at ordination.

Its origins are obscure, but it probably derived from a handkerchief or a secular scarf used as a symbol of rank. Originally called orarium or orarion, it was probably intended for wiping the mouth. In the 4th century the orarion was worn as a vestment by deacons in the Eastern churches and eventually the equivalent epitrachelion was worn by priests. The scarflike vestment was adopted somewhat later in the West, and the Latin term stola came into use in the 9th century.

Nonliturgical stoles are popular in commencement ceremonies in the United States and elsewhere. They may be used as part of a university’s formal doctoral regalia, bestowed to indicate academic honors, or purchased by the graduate to reflect their nationality or other meaningful affiliation. Stoles made of traditional cultural fabrics, such as Ghanian kente or Mexican serape, are frequently worn by proud graduates as a statement of heritage. In fashion, a stole is also a long scarf of cloth or fur worn by women over the shoulders with the ends hanging down in front. It probably developed from a long, robelike outer garment worn by matrons in ancient Rome.