Zirkel (Studentenverbindung)
A Zirkel is a symbol used in Central European student societies (Studentenverbindungen).
Look and meaning
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 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
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
Zirkel (Studentenverbindung) Media
Zirkel of Corps Hubertia Freiburg in Freiburg, Germany
Zirkel of Corps Altsachsen in Dresden, Germany
Zirkel of Sängerschaft Hohentübingen in Tübingen, Germany
Zirkel of K.V.H.C. Zuid-Oost-Vlaamse (de ZOV) in Leuven, Belgium
References
Further reading
- 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)