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: