Beer mug of the student fraternity "Teutonia"

Rastal Werk

From the collection of Paulo Vik Falcon

In the central part of the beer mug we see two inscriptions executed in the old German style. The upper inscription is "Teutonia sei's Panier!" translated from German, it means: "Teutonia, be our banner!" The phrase became a popular motto in German student fraternities that arose after the Napoleonic Wars to promote the ideas of a unified German nation-state, freedom and rights. 
The inscription "Freiheit, Wahrheit, Treue!" is placed at the bottom of the decoration. Translated from German, it means: "Freedom, Truth, Loyalty!" This is another common motto of German student fraternities (Burschenschaften). The motto reflects the values followed by the fraternity members. The coat of arms of the student community is placed in the central part of the decoration.
Symbols in the form of an intersecting compass and a square are placed inside it. These are the main and most recognizable symbols of Freemasonry. The compass symbolizes morality, moderation and limitation of desires, as well as the divine and spiritual principles. The square stands for the earthly, physical, and perfection of work. The combination of these symbols with the motto indicates that the object probably belongs to a student fraternity that uses Masonic symbols to signify its involvement in architectural and construction education.
There is an inscription on the right side from the handle on the mug: "Pi s./l. Bbr. Orpheus 30.1.60". The phrase contains personal information about the owner of this commemorative beer mug.
Bbr. - is a very common abbreviation of the German word "Bundesbruder", which means "brother in union/brotherhood".
s./l. — means the Latin expression "sine legitima". Literally translated, the phrase means "without legitimate grounds." Within the fraternities, this phrase meant "an unofficial name or nickname."
Pi is the name or initials of a particular person, and "Orpheus" is his nickname in the fraternity. Thus, the phrase can be deciphered as follows: "On January 30, 1960, Pi was accepted into the fraternity and was given the nickname Orpheus".

View the collection of Paulo Vik Falcon

Details

Type: stein
Material: stoneware
Producer: Rastal Werk
Producer info
Designer/decorator: unknown
Mold: -
Capacity: 0,5
Design date: 1958-1959
Height (excl. lid): 13.0 cm (appx. 5.1 inches.)