is the Mensur, a special form of very strictly regulated, fixed-stance fencing ritual. The Mensur is practised with sharp blades, and although the body is well-protected, it allows for deep (cosmetic) facial and cranial wounds, which often result in a scar which is called Schmiss. The Schmiss was once regarded as the passport to a better future, because the Mensur strives to educate physical and mental strength by exposing the combatants to a rare and extreme situation. In modern times, opinions differ, although the principle stays the same: whereas one would formerly engage in a Mensur to be hit, many fencing students of today will rather engage in combat in order to prove their competence by not being wounded, instead focusing on reinforcing the bond between members of the fraternity. Some fraternities that do not practice academic fencing have other rituals that are meant to substitute this ritual of group dynamics, such as extreme hiking. While the Mensur is the most central principle to some Verbindungen, especially of the Corps, Burschenschaften and Landsmannschaften, these organizations require their members to fence with each other. Other Verbindungen allow their members to fence voluntarily, but the majority of these now forbid their members to fence. In particular, Christian fraternities decline the Mensur from general ethical perspectives, with Catholic fraternities even being formally restricted on the ground of the 5th commandment "You shall not kill", which includes the integrity of the God-given body in general. Hallmarks Couleur Visually, the most discerning characteristic of many Studentenverbindungen is the so-called Couleur, which can consist of anything from a small part of ribbon worn over the belt, to elaborate uniforms with riding boots, sabers, and colorful cavalry jackets, depending on circumstances and tradition. Most commonly, a thin sash displaying (usually) three distinctive colors is worn in everyday life, this is called Band. Although this display was common in the past (Wilhelmine Period) it is not as common at German universities anymore. Color-wearing ("farbentragend") Studentenverbindungen are those whose members that wear a Band a headwear with their fraternities colors. Many Burschenschaften wear the color combination Black-Red-Gold as a historical symbol for German unity. These colors were first worn by the Urburschenschaft in 1815. There are also color-carrying or -bearing ("farbenführend") Verbindungen, while their members do not wear a sash their colors are often represented in their uniforms and other Couleur, like flags. Another visual hallmark is the ,