At Convocation this June, blue-and-white banners bobbed among the parading new graduates. These are gonfalons – an ancient tradition recently revived at U of T.
Gonfalon, an Old French word meaning “war flag,” originally referred to the pennant on a knight’s lance, but came to mean a long banner swinging from a pole. And the name for the banner-bearer, gonfalonier, became a distinguished municipal and royal office in medieval Europe.
Gonfalons have been popular at American universities for some time but were only introduced at U of T in November 2013, when student gonfaloniers carried banners representing the university’s faculties, colleges and campuses at President Meric Gertler’s installation. The following June, staff members did the honours at Convocation – a fitting tribute, since the gonfalons were designed by a former staff member. Staff carried the gonfalons again this June.
Recent Posts
U of T’s 197th Birthday Quiz
Test your knowledge of all things U of T in honour of the university’s 197th anniversary on March 15!
Are Cold Plunges Good for You?
Research suggests they are, in three ways
Work Has Changed. So Have the Qualities of Good Leadership
Rapid shifts in everything from technology to employee expectations are pressuring leaders to constantly adapt