() or , often referred to as , is the umbrella term for many different types of fraternity associations among students in German-speaking countries; these types include Corps, , , , and Catholic fraternities. Worldwide, there are more than 1,600 , about a thousand of which are in Germany, with a total of more than 190,000 members. These fraternities are organized by umbrella groups. In these fraternities, students spend their university years in an organized community, whose members remain connected after graduation. A goal of this (lifelong bond) is to create contacts and friendships over many generations, as well as to facilitate networking. The is essential for the longevity of these networks.Herbert Neupert: Andere Korporationen und gemeinsame Institutionen. A. Das gemeinsame Prinzip, in: Vorstand des Verbandes Alter Corpsstudenten e. V. (ed.): Handbuch des Kösener Corpsstudenten. vol. I, 6th ed., Würzburg 1985, p. 283
Moreover, all student corporations share an important similarity—their autonomous and grassroots democratic (from the Latin for 'assembly'). In addition to the and the , every also has a so-called (from the French for 'how'). The is a body of rules organizing various aspects of fraternity life, such as the , (academic fencing), and general rules of conduct.
Fraternities of this type are present in multiple countries in Europe—Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, Latvia, and Estonia—as well as (formerly) German or German-speaking areas and other smaller communities in Europe, and Chile. These groups originated in the 19th century, when Napoleon occupied the independent states of Germany. Fraternities were a way to express nationalism during an era of striving for national unity. During the era of the German Empire, fifty percent of all male students joined a fraternity. During the 1950s, this number had declined to thirty percent. Between one and two percent of current students in Germany are active members of a .wdr.de These groups are all over Germany, but the largest number of them can be found in Munich with 60 fraternities in total. The decline in fraternal membership stems from a perception that these groups are anachronistic, even "stuffy", with right-wing views of masculinity. During the 21st century, several scandals have linked German fraternities to racism and sexism. Some fraternities require new members to pass a test on 19th- and 20th-century German history; German citizenship is another common requirement.
Organization
consist of two groups: active members who are students enrolled at a university, and the graduated (also spelled ; ) or Philister ()—each a fraternity's term for alumni. The graduated group also includes Hohe Damen (; a fraternity's term for alumnae). The graduated members were previously active in these corporations, and they later provide guidance and the necessary financial backing.
The active students are commonly divided into four groups. Three of these groups are as follows:
The new, first-year (; a fraternity's term for a pledge) The (; a fraternity's term for a full member) Inactive full members (having had that status for a fixed time limit, usually three or four semesters)
These three groups form the fraternity's active core. A former category, the loosely associated , was removed at the beginning of the 20th century. This category is now synonymous with in some fraternities.
The fourth group of active students, the (; a fraternity's term for officers), are full members elected by the former groups' democratic vote and entitled to decide on certain situations in everyday fraternity life. Common Chargierte (; a fraternity's term for officers) are as follows:
The (signing his name with an x at the end, e.g., Mustermann Z! x) The (xx) The Drittchargierter, often also called (xxx).Robert Paschke: Corpsstudentisches Wörterbuch. Handbuch des Kösener Corpsstudenten, 6th ed, Vol. 1. Würzburg 1985, p. 322Robert Paschke: Studentenhistorisches Lexikon. SH-Verlag 1999, p. 64
The Senior's task is mainly to represent the fraternity to the outside world and to lead the fraternity. The Consenior assists the Senior but mainly focuses on teaching fencing practice, organizing fraternity events, and maintaining constant contact with fellow female students. By contrast, the Drittchargierter is in charge of mail correspondence, finance, and diplomacy. Another function often referred to as a () is the so-called (; a fraternity's term for a pledge master). He is in charge of the pledges and teaches them the essentials of fraternity life, except for fencing. Officers in many fraternities are divided into high and low. In most types of student fraternity, pledges can also be officers (high or low, not or pledge master, but possibly or ).
, especially older ones, often own a large mansion, the , in which active members live. It usually consists of a dormitory and common rooms for festivities—most notably the (pub) gathering—celebrations regularly involving student songs and other traditions.
One of many benefits of joining a fraternity in Germany is the low pricing of often high-quality rooms. Because are much less prevalent in campus life in comparison to US fraternities, some actively attempt to recruit new members through these low-priced rooms. After a certain period—the (; a fraternity's term for the pledge period)—these new members have the opportunity to learn the fraternity's traditions. After successful completion of all necessary tests and examinations, these pledges are usually accepted as full members.
After completing higher education and starting a career, the inactive full members are asked to resign from the fraternity's core membership and become alumni ( or ). Those groups have less influence in active fraternity life and the core fraternity's democratic process, allowing younger generations to take their place. Major decisions, though, are still made by an annual , where every member—student or not—has at least one vote; alumni usually have double votes and veto rights. Alumni may also handle the financial overview and supervise the .
Furthermore, all alumni are commonly asked to perform three duties: pay a certain annual sum to help support and sustain the fraternity, actively participate in democratic decisions concerning only alumni, and regularly attend the fraternity's festivities.
An important characteristic of this structure is as follows: the relationship between active members and alumni is usually so close that even young members are asked to address highly-decorated alumni using Du (the informal version of "you") or their first names. This practice commonly includes referring to one another as Verbindungsbruder (fraternity brother). As any can sign treaties with another , this practice may be extended to members of other fraternities. This relationship between old and young members allows young members to learn how to handle fraternity responsibilities.
Mensur
To lay people, the best-known tradition of is the Mensur, a special form of strictly regulated, fixed-stance ritual fencing. The is practiced with sharp blades; although a member's eyes are protected, the tradition allows for cosmetic facial wounds, which often result in a scar called a Schmiss. Such a scar is regarded as a point of pride that demonstrates the member's "readiness to fight".
Fencing is not required by all fraternities. However, is the most central principle to some , especially of the Corps, Burschenschaften, and Landsmannschaften. Some other allow their members to fence voluntarily, but the majority do not include as part of their traditions. Christian fraternities generally do not practice , reflecting historical opposition within the Roman Catholic Church to dueling practices.
Hallmarks and traditions
Couleur Visually, the most salient characteristic of many is the so-called Couleur, which can consist of simply a small piece of ribbon worn over the belt, or elaborate uniforms with riding boots, sabers, and colorful cavalry jackets—depending on circumstances and traditions. Most often, a thin sash typically displaying three distinctive colors is worn in daily life; this sash is called a Band. Although such display was common in the past (during the Wilhelmine period), it has been less common at German universities since that time.
(color-wearing) are those whose members wear a Band and headgear with their fraternity's colors.Erich Bauer: Schimmerbuch für junge Corpsstudenten. 4. Auflage, o. O., 1971, S. 12 ff. Many Burschenschaften wear the color combination black-red-gold as a historical symbol of German unity. These colors were first worn by the Urburschenschaft in 1815. There are also (color-carrying or -bearing) ; while their members do not wear sashes, their colors are often represented in uniforms and other Couleur, such as flags.
Another visual hallmark of is the , a monogram containing two elements: the fraternity's initials, as well as the letters v, c, and f representing the Latin words (live, grow, flourish) or ('long live the circle of brothers').Bauer, Erich; Schimmerbuch für junge Corpsstudenten. 4. Auflage, o. O., 1971, S. 15. The Zirkel is followed by an exclamation mark. On fraternity documents, members sign with a after their signature. In contemporary society, are often worn on the caps of new members.
Some sample are as follows:
Coat of arms 's coats of arms do not follow strict heraldic rules; these coats of arms were first used around 1800.Erich Bauer: Schimmerbuch für junge Corpsstudenten. 4. Auflage, o. O., 1971, S. 15 f.
The escutcheon (heraldic shield) is often divided into four parts; a 's escutcheon is most often divided by a cross. These fields are filled with various nonheraldic symbols. Examples of these symbols are the fraternity's colors; the Zirkel; allusions to the fraternity's university or city, or other regional heraldic elements; and symbols for friendship and eternity, which derive from Freemasons and antiquity.
Kneipe
More elaborate uniforms are usually worn at a Kneipe—or, more formally, a Commers—a kind of gathering still preserved only at . Such events may occur regularly, but especially during holidays— for example, to celebrate Christmas; to commemorate a deceased Verbindung-brother (Trauerkneipe); or in remembrance of historic events or important dates in the fraternity's history, e.g., the founding day of the fraternity (Stiftungstagskneipe). During these gatherings, the members and guests present are presided over by the officers ; the Senior conducts the gathering, executing certain rituals—from simply welcoming guests and holding speeches to performing the Landesvater ("father of the country") ceremony. In this ceremony, a saber pierces the Couleur-bearing headgear of participants in a complex ritual, which is accompanied by a ceremonial chant. While such rituals are only performed on the most solemn of occasions and thus rare, a Kneipe commonly involves the lighter side of life, such as unrestrained beer consumption and uninhibited singing of traditional student songs. Some of these songs can be considered bawdy by the standards of the time.
History
Early history When the first universities formed in Paris, Bologna, and Salerno around the 12th century, Europe was divided into a large number of small states; this arrangement was reflected in the composition of the student body. To ensure an equal influence on the university's decisions, the students and teachers began to form nationes (unions), with one nation for each native state of members. This tradition continued for centuries, and it still survives in Sweden and Finland.