Zirkel (Studentenverbindung)

A Zirkel (German for "circle", as in "circle of friends") is a monogram used in European student societies in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia (Studentenverbindungen).

Look and meaning

A Zirkel consists of intertwined lines, followed by an exclamation mark if the society is still active. 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:

Meaning of v-c-f:

  • Vivant fratres coniuncti ("the conjunct 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, Liberty, Fatherland").[2]

Usage

The members of the Studentenverbindung use the Zirkel as sign on Couleur or other things e.g. 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
    Straßencerevis with embroidered Zirkel and oak leaves
  • beer mug and Zipfel with Zirkel
    beer mug and Zipfel with Zirkel
  • Crest of the fraternity Corps Hubertia Freiburg with a Zirkel in the upper right. This crest is a wall display on the outside of a fraternity house.
    Crest of the fraternity Corps Hubertia Freiburg with a Zirkel in the upper right. This crest is a wall display on the outside of a fraternity house.
  • The center of the official fraternity crest of Corps Altsachsen Dresden is marked with a Zirkel.
    The center of the official fraternity crest of Corps Altsachsen Dresden is marked with a Zirkel.
  • Cigarette case with the Zirkel of a Jewish Studentenverbindung from Basel, in the Jewish Museum of Switzerland’s collection.
    Cigarette case with the Zirkel of a Jewish Studentenverbindung from Basel, in the Jewish Museum of Switzerland’s collection.

References
  1. Peter Krause: O alte Burschenherrlichkeit - Die Studenten und ihr Brauchtum, Graz, Wien, Köln 1979, page 78, 79
  2. Paulgerhard Gladen: Gaudeamus igitur - Die studentischen Verbindungen einst und jetzt, Köln 2001, page 31

Further reading
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zirkel (Studentenverbindung).
Look up Zirkel in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
  • 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)
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