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 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.
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:
Straßencerevis with embroidered Zirkel and oak leaves
beer mug and Zipfel with Zirkel
Crest of the fraternity Corps Hubertia Freiburg with a Zirkel in the upper right. This crest is a wall display on the outside of a fraternity house.
The center of the official fraternity crest of Corps Altsachsen Dresden is marked with a Zirkel.