Couleur (from French, meaning colour in English ) is the expression used in Central European Studentenverbindungen for the various headgear and distinctive ribbons worn by members of these student societies.
5-424: There are three classes of such student societies: The ribbon (so called Band ) is worn over the right shoulder to the left hip. Both ends are held together by a button, often fashioned from metal or porcelain. These buttons are often engraved or enameled with a Zirkel and at times even specific coat of arms associated with the student society in question. A lot of societies distinguish two types of ribbons. One
10-727: A black bill, a black band and the top of the crown points to the front. The crown is also coloured by one of the colours of the ribbon. Sometimes a Zirkel is embroidered on the top. Traditionally, the Stürmer is only worn in the summer semester of the academic year. 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 ). A Zirkel consists of intertwined lines, followed by an exclamation mark if
15-506: Is used by the new members (so called Fux or Fuchs , after the German "fox", or schacht in Flanders, a word borrowed from the military, where it meant "new recruit"), the other one is used by the elder members (so called Bursche or, if with degree, Alter Herr ; in Flanders elders members are ouderejaars ). The ribbons of the elder members show the original or full colours of the society, where
20-508: The ribbons of the new members often show a variation of them, such as displaying only two of the three main colours. In the Flemish tradition new members wear the full colours, but on the left shoulder, instead of the right. Mostly a cap (so called Mütze ) consists of: There are various forms of caps, e.g.: A special and seldom seen form of headgear is the Stürmer (English hotspur ). It has
25-514: 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: Meaning of e-f-v: 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
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