What does "drink on brotherhood" mean?

Alcoholic beverages appeared very long ago, bringing to the human life the culture and etiquette of their use. With alcohol, there are many traditions, rules of feast and cruise expressions. One of the well-known and beloved people phrases associated with its use, sounds like: "drink on brotherhood". What does this expression mean and what is the history of its occurrence?

History of the winged phrase

According to one version, the tradition associated with the word "brotherhood" came to us from Europe, where during the Middle Ages this ritual meant the preservation of good relations and good intentions at the table throughout the feast. Bruderschaft guaranteed fraternal support, enshrined peace between soldiers, meant purity of intentions. In especially solemn occasions, a drop of blood was added to the glasses, which cemented the friendship with a bloody oath.

According to other sources, the habit of "drinking on brotherhood" was common among lovers. Following the draining of the glasses to the bottom, the couple was supposed to fasten the mouth with a deep kiss. In the event that a glass of one of the lovers contained poison, sprinkled with the second half, a kiss would mean death for two. Thus, a special ritual of drinking alcohol was a kind of proof of love and honesty of a couple in love with each other.

Importance of tradition

The term "brotherhood" (Brüderschaft) - is translated from German as "brotherhood", "association". However, in the Russian language the meaning of the word "brotherhood" is understood somewhat differently. The psychological meaning of this phrase means the change of the official feast into a pleasant, friendly environment, the transition from a dry "you" to a closer "you". This bonding of friendly relations is a special rite, the essence of which is the simultaneous dehumidification by two participants of the feast of wine glasses or glasses with the hands clasped in the elbows.

In this case, if a man and a woman drink, the ritual must necessarily be fixed by a kiss, since after the brotherhood the barrier breaks down, the trait that keeps people at a distance is blurred, and they become a little closer. It is also supposed to look into each other's eyes during the process. The tradition of "drinking on brotherhood" is acceptable in a romantic evening with candles, giving the date a special highlight, a mysterious accent, like a silent promise of something bright and unusual ...

Etiquette of brotherhood

Strengthening a friendly union with a special kind of draining glasses - the ritual of the brotherhood, you need to have an idea not only what will follow him, but also to know the etiquette of the process. And the rules of etiquette with this tradition are as follows: holding a glass (usually right) in a hand or a glass, cross your arms in the elbows with the second participant and, looking into each other's eyes, drain the chosen alcoholic drink to the bottom. According to psychologists, the tradition of "drinking on brotherhood" - a means to increase sympathy and rapprochement between people.

Having done this act of friendly agreement, you can safely turn to your counterpart to "you", slap him on the shoulder - in general, do everything that is accepted between good friends. If the next day after a merry feast your new friend does not want to follow the rule of brotherhood and maintain a friendly relationship, do not insist on the opposite. Likewise, not wanting to make friends with someone, politely refuse an unwanted ritual.

Wedding brudershaft

The tradition of "drinking brotherhood" has also penetrated into the list of wedding formalities, being a prelude to the first kissed newlyweds at the festive table. Obeying the power of this ritual, the married people drink champagne from glasses fastened with a ribbon. The ceremony ends not with a restrained fraternal but a deep kiss as a sign of love and loyalty. Having drained the glasses, the bride and groom throw them over the left shoulder.

In fact, brotherhood is only a beautiful tradition designed to decorate a celebration or a feast. After all, it's unlikely that you will dare to call your friend a person, just because you were with him yesterday participants in this ritual.