Prince-Bishop Petar II Petrović-Njegoš wore it with a black rim (called derevija),[2] and the definition given was as a sign of grief of occupied Kosovo.

The enforcement of the cap upon the Montenegrin chieftains by Prince-Bishop Petar II was a mark of expression of then's dominating Serbian national identity.

[3] The national telling recorded the most often version of the cap as following: the black wrapper was a sign of grief for their once great Serbian Empire, the red the symbol of spilled blood at the Battle of Kosovo[4] and the five small stripes on the top represent the remaining remains of the once great Serbian realm,[5] which became increasingly popular amongst the common folk during the reign of Prince Danilo I Petrović-Njegoš.

Within the stripes is angled a six star, representing the last free part, Montenegro, shining upon the fallen and conquered.

Several years ago a new version appeared with a large modern (2004) Coat of Arms of Montenegro spread across the cap's red top, that is becoming increasingly popular as a sign of the Montenegrin nation's independence and sovereignty.