Various hypotheses have been suggested concerning the origin of the stole. The theory formerly universally held, but quite wrong, that it originated in the ornamental trimming of a garment called "stole", which in the course of time disappeared leaving behind only this trimming, has been abandoned. The theory that traced the stole to the Jewish praying mantle has also been given up. At the present time the stole is either traced back to a liturgical napkin, which deacons are said to have carried, or to a neckcloth formerly peculiar to priests or it is regarded as a liturgical badge (introduced at the latest in the fourth century) which first came into use in the East, and then in the West.(newadvent.org)
Depending on what church one is a member of, a stole holds different purposes. For Roman Catholics the stole is conferred at the ordination of a deacon. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI is pictured wearing an embroidered papal stole.
Today graduation stoles are custom made in many color fabrics and trims. Common graduation stoles have on them:
- The School Name
- Graduating Class (i.e. Class of 2008)
- Greek Letters
- Cultural Flags, patterns or designs.