- Source: Zirkel (Studentenverbindung)
A Zirkel (German for 'circle', as in a 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') or
Vivat circulus fratrum ('The circle of brothers should live') or
Vivat, crescat, floreat ('Live, grow, flourish').
Meaning of e-f-v:
Ehre, Freiheit, Vaterland ('Honour, Liberty, Fatherland').
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
English-speaking countries.
Examples:
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)