Zirkel (Studentenverbindung)
A Zirkel is a symbol used in Central European student societies (Studentenverbindungen).
Look and meaning
[change | change source]A Zirkel consists of interwined lines, mostly followed by an exclamation mark. The lines mostly show the first letters of the name of the Studentenverbindung and/or the letters v, c, f or e, f, v.
- Examples
-
Zirkel of Corps Germania in Munich -
Zirkel of Akademisches Corps Gothia in Innsbruck -
Zirkel of Sängerschaft zu St. Pauli in Jena -
Zirkel of Burschenschaft Ascania in Cologne -
Zirkel of Burschenschaft Arminia in Leipzig -
Zirkel of Landsmannschaft Schottland in Tübingen
Meaning of v-c-f:
- Vivant fratres coniuncti ("the joined brothers should live")[1] or
- Vivat circulus fratrum ("the circle of brothers should live")[1] or
- Vivat, crescat, floreat ("live, grow, flourish").[2]
Meaning of e-f-v:
- Ehre, Freiheit, Vaterland ("Honour, Freedom, Fatherland").[2]
The meaning of the exclamation mark is not quite clear.
Using
[change | change source]The members of the Studentenverbindung use the Zirkel as sign on Couleur or other things (such as beer glasses, etc). If a member signs in affairs of its Studentenverbindung it places the Zirkel after its signature. This use is similar to the use of postnominals in Anglo-Saxon countries.
- Examples
-
Straßencerevis with embroidered Zirkel and oak leaves -
beer mug and Zipfel with Zirkel
References
[change | change source]Further reading
[change | change source]- Peter Krause: O alte Burschenherrlichkeit - Die Studenten und ihr Brauchtum, Graz, Wien, Köln 1979 (German), ISBN 3-222-11127-8
- Peter Krause: O alte Burschenherrlichkeit - Die Studenten und ihr Brauchtum, 5. verb. Auflage, Graz, Wien, Köln 1997 (German), ISBN 3-222-12478-7
- Paulgerhard Gladen: Gaudeamus igitur - Die studentischen Verbindungen einst und jetzt, Köln 2001 (German) ISBN 3-88059-996-3
- Edgar Hunger / Curt Meyer: Studentisches Brauchtum, Bonn, Stuttgart 1958 (German)