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Red hat

Red hat (or Red Hat) has several possible meanings:

  • Within the Roman Catholic Church, red hat refers to the appointment of a Cardinal, a senior Prince of the Church who is a member of the electoral college that chooses the Pope. A person on being appointed to the cardinalate is said to have received the red hat or cardinal's biretta.
  • In Tibetan Buddhism successors to the first Shamarpa are known as the Red Hat lamas.
  • The Red Hat Society, Inc. is a women's organization whose full members, who must be over 50 years old, wear red hats and purple dresses. Members are often called "Red Hatters."
Last updated: 05-17-2005 10:32:44