A Zirkel is a symbol used in European Studentenverbindungen.
A Zirkel consists of interwined lines, mostly followed by an exclamation mark. 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 meaning of the exclamation mark is not quite cleared.
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: