birettas

A biretta is a square, stiff hat worn by clergy in some Christian churches. It has a square crown with three or four ridges along the top and a central button or tuft. The hat is usually made of cloth such as wool, silk, or satin, and is worn by placing it squarely on the head, with the side flaps resting on the temples. Its use has long been associated with formal or liturgical occasions, academic ceremonies, and the official dress of clerical offices.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the biretta's color and the color of its pompon indicate the wearer's rank: black for priests, purple (violet) for bishops, red for cardinals. The pope traditionally wears a white biretta. The biretta is often worn with the surplice or cassock and can be pulled forward or tilted depending on local custom. Some orders have distinctive birettas in their habit colors.

Outside the Catholic Church, birettas were adopted by some Anglican clergy and by certain academic or ceremonial outfits in other traditions, though the use here is largely limited to formal occasions. In modern times, the biretta is mostly ceremonial or historical clothing rather than everyday headgear.