| An ornament of silk or gold fringe, used as an addition to the strings of mantles, etc. Roman Catholic ecclesiastics of high rank are distinguished by tassels pendant from a cord of silk issuing from either side of that which is placed over their shield. These tassels arc arranged in rows, and the number of tassels in each row exceeds by one the number in that above it, so that the whole form an equilateral triangle. A Cardinal has five rows of scarlet tassels pendant from a scarlet hat. Archbishops have a green hat, and four rows of green tassels. Bishops and Prothonotaries of the Pontifical Court, three and two rows respectively of green tassels. |