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{{Short description|Long, hooded garment, often sleeveless, as worn by some Christian monks and nuns}}
{{about|the garment used by monks and nuns}}
{{multiple issues|
 {{generalize|focus=church uses of cowls|reason=Cowls also have been and are also secular garments|date=August 2020}}
 {{More citations needed|date=June 2012}}
{{Prose|date=April 2024}}
}}
[[Image:Cowl (PSF).png|thumb|100px|Drawing showing a cowl-wearing monk]]

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]], 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 ==
[[File:Monestir de Poblet - Juliol 2015 - 02 Monjos.JPG|thumb|250px|Cistercians, [[Poblet Monastery]] - July 2015]]
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.
* 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.
* "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>
* 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==
* [[Burqa]]
* [[Chador]]
* [[Hoodie]]
* [[Koukoulion]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary|position=left}}

{{catholic|title=Cowl}}

[[Category:Medieval European costume]]
[[Category:Christian clothing]]
[[Category:History of clothing]]
[[Category:Christian monasticism]]
[[Category:Religious (Catholicism)]]