A tassel is a decorative bundle of threads or cords tied together at one end and hanging loose at the other, creating a soft, dangling ornament. You've probably seen tassels on graduation caps, where they swing from a button on top of the flat square hat. Tassels also hang from bookmarks, curtain ties, fancy pillows, and the corners of rugs.

Tassels were originally practical: they kept cords from unraveling. Over time, people realized they looked attractive and started adding them purely for decoration.

At graduation ceremonies, there's a tradition of moving your tassel from one side of your cap to the other to mark your completion of that level of school. This simple gesture with a small tassel represents a big accomplishment.

Tassels show up in surprising places: corn plants have tassels (the pollen-bearing part at the top), fancy lamp pulls often have tassels, and some military uniforms feature decorative tassels on cords or sashes. Whether swinging from a graduation cap or decorating a fancy curtain, tassels add movement and flair to ordinary objects.