[[Image:Cowl (PSF).png|thumb|100px|Drawing showing a cowl-wearing monk]]
The '''cowl''' (from the Latin ''[[wikt:cuculla|cuculla]]'', meaning "a hood") is an item of clothing consisting of a long, hooded garment with wide sleeves. Originallyit may have referredsimply to the hooded portion of a cloak.In contemporary usage,however,itisdistinguishedfromacloakorcape(''cappa'')by the factthatitreferstoanentireclosedgarment. Today it is worn primarily by most [[Catholic]] and [[Anglican]] [[monk]]s when participating in [[liturgy|liturgical]] services.
A '''cowl''' is an item of clothing consisting of a long, hooded garment with wide sleeves, often worn by monks. It was developed during the [[Early Middle Ages]]. The term may have originally referred to the hooded portion of a [[cloak]], though contemporary usage refers to an entire closed garment. A cowl is traditionally bestowed upon the monk at the time of making solemn, or lifetime, [[profession (religious)|profession]]. Today, it is worn primarily by most [[Catholic]] and [[Anglican]] [[monk]]s when participating in [[liturgy|liturgical]] services.
==Description==
Developed during the early [[Middle Ages]] in Northern Europe, they became the formal garment for those in monastic life. Originally they were worn simply to give greater warmth than would an open cloak to people who regularly spent long hours in unheated and draughty churches.
Developed during the [[Early Middle Ages]], the cowl became the formal garment for those in monastic life. Both St. [[Jerome]] and [[John Cassian]] refer to it as part of a monk's dress.<ref>{{Source-attribution|inline=y|[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04463a.htm Fortescue, Adrian. "Cowl." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 20 January 2020}}</ref> In modern times, it is worn over the habit during liturgical services. Originally, ''cowl'' may have referred simply to the hooded portion of a [[cloak]]. In contemporary usage, however, it is distinguished from a cloak or [[cape]] (''cappa'') by the fact that it refers to an entire closed garment consisting of a long, hooded garment with wide sleeves.
==Religious usage==
== Religious usage ==
[[File:Monestir de Poblet - Juliol 2015 - 02 Monjos.JPG|thumb|250px|Cistercians, [[Poblet Monastery]] - July 2015]]
[[File:Marie Alexandrine Snoy, abbess of la Cambre abbey.jpg|thumb|Choir Dress of a cistercian nun: a long white [[Cowl]]]]
The cowl is traditionally bestowed upon the monk at the time of making solemn, or lifetime, [[profession (religious)|profession]]. Prior to their solemn [[religious vows|vows]], the monks still in training wear a hooded cloak. The cowl is generally worn in conformity with the color of the monk's [[tunic]], with the [[Order of St. Benedict|Benedictines]] wearing black, and other groups which follow the [[Rule of St. Benedict]], e.g., the [[Camaldolese]] and [[Cistercians]], wearing differing shades of white. Though not Benedictines, the [[Carthusians]] make use of a cowl as well. The Camaldolese of Monte Corona, however, always wear a cloak instead of a cowl.
The cowl is traditionally bestowed upon the monk at the time of making solemn, or lifetime, [[profession (religious)|profession]]. Prior to their solemn [[religious vows|vows]], the monks still in training wear a hooded cloak. The cowl is generally worn in conformity with the color of the monk's [[tunic]]; other groups which follow the [[Rule of St. Benedict]], e.g., the [[Camaldolese]] wearing white. (The Camaldolese of Monte Corona, however, always wear a cloak instead of a cowl.)
Today, cowls are primarily worn by [[Catholic]] and [[Anglican]] [[monk]]s when participating in [[liturgy|liturgical]] services.
While not cowls in the monastic sense, the [[mendicant Order]]s have retained the use of a ''cappa'' (cape) as part of their habit. In their case, however, it is a regular part of their [[religious habit]] and worn by all members of the Order, both as street dress and in church. The [[Carmelites]] wear a white cape, although their tunic and scapular are brown, from which they were known in medieval [[England]] as the "Whitefriars". [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]] wear a black cape over a white habit—hence, their ancient [[nickname]] of "Blackfriars". Both the cowl and the cape, though without a hood, are also worn by the [[nun]]s associated to each Order, in the same manner.<ref>"Cowl" [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9026676/cowl Encyclopædia Britannica] (Including photo of Franciscan friars wearing capes)</ref>
* Among the [[Order of St. Benedict|Benedictines]], in choir, at chapter, and at certain other ceremonial times, a long full gown with large flowing sleeves, called a ''cowl'', is worn over the ordinary habit. Black has been the prevailing color, hence the term ''black monk'' has come to signify a Benedictine.<ref>{{Source-attribution|inline=y|[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02443a.htm Alston, George Cyprian. "The Benedictine Order." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 20 January 2020}}</ref> Previous generations had lengthened the garment until it reached to the heels, and [[Benedict of Nursia|Saint Benedict]] issued a rule restricting its length to two [[cubit]]s.<ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Cowl|volume=7|page=347}}</ref>
* Similarly, the [[Cistercians]] are known as the ''White Monks'', in reference to the color of the ''cuculla'', the term for the white choir robe worn over their habits.
[[Image:Tikhon of Moscow.jpg|thumb|150px|St. [[Tikhon of Moscow]] wearing the patriarchal white koukoulion]]
* "The [[Carthusian]] wears the ordinary monastic habit in white serge, but the scapular which is joined by bands at the side and has the hood attached to it, is known as the "cowl". The long flowing garment with wide sleeves, which usually bears this name, is used only by the deacon at high Mass."<ref>{{Source-attribution|inline=y|[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03388a.htm Webster, Douglas Raymund. "The Carthusian Order." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 20 January 2020}}</ref>
Among the Eastern Christians ([[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Byzantine Catholic]]) the monastic hood developed into the ''koukoulion'' worn by monks of the [[Great Schema]], the highest degree of [[monasticism]] in the Eastern Church. Currently the ''koukoulion'' is of two types: one is similar to the hood still worn by some Western monastic orders, the other takes the form of a stiff rounded hat (like a [[bowler hat]] without a rim) to which is attached an [[epanokamelavkion]] (veil with [[lappet]]s). The koukoulion is usually embroidered with crosses and the [[Instruments of the Passion]]. The ''koukoulion'' is also worn by the [[Patriarch]]s of some of the [[autocephalous]] Orthodox churches.
* While not cowls in the monastic sense, the [[mendicant Order]]s have retained the use of a ''cappa'' (cape) as part of their habit. In their case, however, it is a regular part of their [[religious habit]] and worn by all members of the Order, both as street dress and in church.
* The [[Carmelites]] wear a white cape, although their tunic and scapular are brown, from which they were known in medieval [[England]] as the ''Whitefriars''.
* [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]] wear a black cape over a white habit—hence, their ancient [[nickname]] of ''Blackfriars''.
* Both the cowl and the cape, though without a hood, are also worn by the [[nun]]s associated to each Order, in the same manner.<ref>"Cowl" [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9026676/cowl Encyclopædia Britannica] (Including photo of Franciscan friars wearing capes)</ref>
* [[Image:Tikhon of Moscow.jpg|thumb|150px|St. [[Tikhon of Moscow]] wearing the patriarchal white koukoulion]] Among the Eastern Christians ([[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Byzantine Catholic]]), the monastic hood developed into the ''[[koukoulion]]'' worn by monks of the [[Great Schema]], the highest degree of [[monasticism]] in the Eastern Church. Currently, the ''koukoulion'' is of two types: one is similar to the hood still worn by some Western monastic orders, the other takes the form of a stiff rounded hat (like a [[bowler hat]] without a rim) to which is attached an [[epanokalimavkion]] (veil with [[lappet]]s). The koukoulion is usually embroidered with crosses and the [[Instruments of the Passion]]. The ''koukoulion'' is also worn by the [[Patriarch]]s of some of the [[autocephalous]] Orthodox churches.
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Burqa]]
* [[Burqa]]
*[[Chador]]
* [[Chador]]
*[[Hoodie]]
* [[Hoodie]]
*[[Koukoulion]]
* [[Koukoulion]]
==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Wiktionary|position=left}}
* "Cowl". [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04463a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia], Volume IV, 1908
* "Carthusians" [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03388a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia], Volume III, 1908
{{catholic|title=Cowl}}
[[Category:Medieval European costume]]
[[Category:Christian clothing]]
[[Category:Christian clothing]]
[[Category:History of clothing]]
[[Category:History of clothing]]
Latest revision as of 16:09, 13 August 2024
Long, hooded garment, often sleeveless, as worn by some Christian monks and nuns
This article is about the garment used by monks and nuns. For other uses, see Cowl (disambiguation).
This article focuses only on church uses of cowls. Please help improve this article by adding general information and discuss at the talk page.(August 2020)
A cowl is an item of clothing consisting of a long, hooded garment with wide sleeves, often worn by monks. It was developed during the Early Middle Ages. The term may have originally referred to the hooded portion of a cloak, though contemporary usage refers to an entire closed garment. A cowl is traditionally bestowed upon the monk at the time of making solemn, or lifetime, profession. Today, it is worn primarily by most Catholic and Anglicanmonks when participating in liturgical services.
Developed during the Early Middle Ages, the cowl became the formal garment for those in monastic life. Both St. Jerome and John Cassian refer to it as part of a monk's dress.[1] In modern times, it is worn over the habit during liturgical services. Originally, cowl may have referred simply to the hooded portion of a cloak. In contemporary usage, however, it is distinguished from a cloak or cape (cappa) by the fact that it refers to an entire closed garment consisting of a long, hooded garment with wide sleeves.
The cowl is traditionally bestowed upon the monk at the time of making solemn, or lifetime, profession. Prior to their solemn vows, the monks still in training wear a hooded cloak. The cowl is generally worn in conformity with the color of the monk's tunic; other groups which follow the Rule of St. Benedict, e.g., the Camaldolese wearing white. (The Camaldolese of Monte Corona, however, always wear a cloak instead of a cowl.)
Among the Benedictines, in choir, at chapter, and at certain other ceremonial times, a long full gown with large flowing sleeves, called a cowl, is worn over the ordinary habit. Black has been the prevailing color, hence the term black monk has come to signify a Benedictine.[2] Previous generations had lengthened the garment until it reached to the heels, and Saint Benedict issued a rule restricting its length to two cubits.[3]
Similarly, the Cistercians are known as the White Monks, in reference to the color of the cuculla, the term for the white choir robe worn over their habits.
"The Carthusian wears the ordinary monastic habit in white serge, but the scapular which is joined by bands at the side and has the hood attached to it, is known as the "cowl". The long flowing garment with wide sleeves, which usually bears this name, is used only by the deacon at high Mass."[4]
While not cowls in the monastic sense, the mendicant Orders have retained the use of a cappa (cape) as part of their habit. In their case, however, it is a regular part of their religious habit and worn by all members of the Order, both as street dress and in church.
The Carmelites wear a white cape, although their tunic and scapular are brown, from which they were known in medieval England as the Whitefriars.
Dominicans wear a black cape over a white habit—hence, their ancient nickname of Blackfriars.
Both the cowl and the cape, though without a hood, are also worn by the nuns associated to each Order, in the same manner.[5]
St. Tikhon of Moscow wearing the patriarchal white koukoulion Among the Eastern Christians (Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic), the monastic hood developed into the koukoulion worn by monks of the Great Schema, the highest degree of monasticism in the Eastern Church. Currently, the koukoulion is of two types: one is similar to the hood still worn by some Western monastic orders, the other takes the form of a stiff rounded hat (like a bowler hat without a rim) to which is attached an epanokalimavkion (veil with lappets). The koukoulion is usually embroidered with crosses and the Instruments of the Passion. The koukoulion is also worn by the Patriarchs of some of the autocephalous Orthodox churches.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Cowl". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Fortescue, Adrian. "Cowl." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 20 January 2020
