Religious usage Cowl

choir dress of cistercian nun: long white cowl

the cowl traditionally bestowed upon monk @ time of making solemn, or lifetime, profession. prior solemn vows, monks still in training wear hooded cloak. cowl worn in conformity color of monk s tunic, benedictines wearing black, , other groups follow rule of st. benedict, e.g., camaldolese , cistercians, wearing differing shades of white. though not benedictines, carthusians make use of cowl well. camaldolese of monte corona, however, wear cloak instead of cowl.

while not cowls in monastic sense, mendicant orders have retained use of cappa (cape) part of habit. in case, however, regular part of religious habit , worn members of order, both street dress , in church. carmelites wear white cape, although tunic , scapular brown, known in medieval england whitefriars . dominicans wear black cape on white habit—hence, ancient nickname of blackfriars . both cowl , cape, though without hood, worn nuns associated each order, in same manner.

st. tikhon of moscow wearing patriarchal white koukoulion

among eastern christians (eastern orthodox , byzantine catholic) monastic hood developed koukoulion worn monks of great schema, highest degree of monasticism in eastern church. koukoulion of 2 types: 1 similar hood still worn western monastic orders, other takes form of stiff rounded hat (like bowler hat without rim) attached epanokamelavkion (veil lappets). koukoulion embroidered crosses , instruments of passion. koukoulion worn patriarchs of of autocephalous orthodox churches.