page_title: Landesvater
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Landesvater / History
context_page_description: The ceremonial Landesvater is a college custom developed in the 18th century where student caps are pierced with the blade of a sword. The song that accompanies this event is also called "Landesvater". The word Landesvater is also used as a name for the prime ministers of the individual German states.
context_section_description: In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was common among students to pierce their hats in order to show their love for a girl. Later, the custom changed inasmuch as it symbolized friendship between two students who henceforth said Du to each other. A further step in the development of this custom transferred the symbolic expression of friendship to a larger community. After 1770, academic orders were founded following the example of the Freemasons. They used the rite in order to express their loyalty to their respective prince or the emperor. The original version of the "Landesvater" that is still used today, with modified lyrics, hence praises Emperor Joseph II.
caption: Heraldic shield of Joseph II