We spend a lot of time on ModBlog talking about the image galleries, and the wide variety of images contained within them. In addition to the galleries, the stories, and ModBlog, BMEzine is host to it’s own Wiki. It’s a great resource to get information regarding all sorts of topics that cover the entire spectrum of the body modification world.
Today I wanted to share with you an article about an unusual form of scar that at one point was extremely popular in certain parts of the world.
What you’re seeing here is what is known as a dueling scar or Renommierschmiss. I’ll let the Wiki explain.
At the turn of the 20th century, the dueling scar (or bragging scar, or Renommierschmiss) was popularized by upper-class Austrians and Germans who saw it as a mark of their class and honor, due to the social importance of dueling societies at Austrian universities at the time. If you were a doctor, lawyer, or professor, the dueling scar was a tattoo that signified your inclusion in an elite social rank, and visitors to university cafes would expect to see young men with bandaged faces.
The sport at the time was very different from modern fencing. The men used heavy sabers, and took turns chopping at each other five times apiece repeatedly. While padding was worn, the goal was to be injured. Kevin McAleer (author of Dueling: The Cult of Honor in Fin-de-Siecle Germany) writes,
The idea was to stand your man and show courage—not to inflict a wound, but to be wounded. That’s the very strange part of it—the true winner was he who walked away with a nice juicy scar, to show that he’d stood the test. The point was not to get the other guy, but to show that you could take it. You’d get these guys who looked like they’d walked into a propeller. It was pretty gnarly, but the guys were damn proud to look that way.
The scars showed you had courage and education, and were good husband material. A lot of these kids were rather good-looking, and you didn’t have to ruin your whole face in dueling. The scars usually accumulated on the left side of the face, so from the right profile, he still looked good. And even if it was an ugly, knotted scar, women were attracted by everything it implied, and the pride with which the wearer bore it.
The main thing we’ve learned from this, is that no matter the culture or the era, chicks dig scars.
But seriously, it seems that while the practice of dueling for scars seems to have faded over time, the practice of intentional scarification has definitely carried on. Now I haven’t had the pleasure of getting a gnarly, unintentional scar, but I’m sure some of you have. Anyone have a “I got this scar when…” story to share?
Comments
166 responses to “The more you know”
Ilove this listing game!
Scar above my left eye brow was from an unintention head butt into another persons teeth at a GWAR show. The scar on the hood of my eyelid (left side) was from catching an elbow in a circle pit.
Below the left eye was from being punched in a fight with a racist skinhead.
On my left hip I have a spot that scarred after some bad road rash when bombing a hill, also acquired a torn ACL from the crash which resulted orthoscopic surgery scars on my right knee.
I have a hernia scar that actually resulted in my first mobblog.
Another one on the back of my head from cutting myself on a broken bottle after knocking over a garbage can as an infant.
A few knife cuts on my left hand from cooking before I learned how to hold a knife properly.
Scars on my left shin from being split open on sharp graven, again skateboarding.
A few unexplained ones.
OH, and some burn scars on my right foot from when I fell into a noodle cooker while cleaning the hoods at work.
Ilove this listing game!
Scar above my left eye brow was from an unintention head butt into another persons teeth at a GWAR show. The scar on the hood of my eyelid (left side) was from catching an elbow in a circle pit.
Below the left eye was from being punched in a fight with a racist skinhead.
On my left hip I have a spot that scarred after some bad road rash when bombing a hill, also acquired a torn ACL from the crash which resulted orthoscopic surgery scars on my right knee.
I have a hernia scar that actually resulted in my first mobblog.
Another one on the back of my head from cutting myself on a broken bottle after knocking over a garbage can as an infant.
A few knife cuts on my left hand from cooking before I learned how to hold a knife properly.
Scars on my left shin from being split open on sharp graven, again skateboarding.
A few unexplained ones.
OH, and some burn scars on my right foot from when I fell into a noodle cooker while cleaning the hoods at work.
Also, white supremacist groups are still largely active in the United State, with a signs of becoming more active in the last few years. They have learned to organize more discretely, spreading most of their ideologies via the Internet. I have friends who have been recently targeted and harassed in the last year by one of these organizations due to past attempts to make public knowledge of their existence and activities in their communities. They are not to be dismissed as dead, docile or “not here”. The scariest thing about them is that they’ve are so independent and learned to pass undetected, especially in the organizations that condone violence.
Also, white supremacist groups are still largely active in the United State, with a signs of becoming more active in the last few years. They have learned to organize more discretely, spreading most of their ideologies via the Internet. I have friends who have been recently targeted and harassed in the last year by one of these organizations due to past attempts to make public knowledge of their existence and activities in their communities. They are not to be dismissed as dead, docile or “not here”. The scariest thing about them is that they’ve are so independent and learned to pass undetected, especially in the organizations that condone violence.
i don’t mind the pic personally. i noticed military immediately but not specifics until i went back to look again. made me think a little more on the topic actually.
i don’t mind the pic personally. i noticed military immediately but not specifics until i went back to look again. made me think a little more on the topic actually.
But does the question arise concerning this practice in Austrian society before Nazi influence?
But does the question arise concerning this practice in Austrian society before Nazi influence?
So what we are seeing, based on the Wiki, is most likely someone who had taken part in an elitist ritual that predated the Nazis?
So what we are seeing, based on the Wiki, is most likely someone who had taken part in an elitist ritual that predated the Nazis?
I think it was mentioned earlier in the thread that the tradition well predates the Nazi’s
I think it was mentioned earlier in the thread that the tradition well predates the Nazi’s
my mistake, apologies.
my mistake, apologies.
I think it’s Otto Skorzeny, the famed SS-special forces commander who freed Benito Mussolini from his captivity on that island I cannot remember the name of. Yes, I watch too much discovery channel.
I think it’s Otto Skorzeny, the famed SS-special forces commander who freed Benito Mussolini from his captivity on that island I cannot remember the name of. Yes, I watch too much discovery channel.
I think it’s totally bad ass. I know I would give respect to some one who was willing to get hit in the face with a sword for the sport of it. If I remember correctly from reading the wiki a few years back, some people would even pay to have a surgeon scar their face to mimic these types of scars.
I think it’s totally bad ass. I know I would give respect to some one who was willing to get hit in the face with a sword for the sport of it. If I remember correctly from reading the wiki a few years back, some people would even pay to have a surgeon scar their face to mimic these types of scars.
id write a book explaining them, but i love my accidental scars!
id write a book explaining them, but i love my accidental scars!
My favorite scar I have is on my right breast, on the underside. It was from a surgery to remove a benign tumor that had gotten a bit out of hand in size and could have caused issues down the line up to and including amputation.
Regardless, I told the doctor to give me a gnarly scar but she was careful to make it as non-noticeable as possible as it goes with the contour of the breast. Either way, I still love it for some reason. Maybe because it’s a fun story about a surgery I got to stay awake for. Hah.
My favorite scar I have is on my right breast, on the underside. It was from a surgery to remove a benign tumor that had gotten a bit out of hand in size and could have caused issues down the line up to and including amputation.
Regardless, I told the doctor to give me a gnarly scar but she was careful to make it as non-noticeable as possible as it goes with the contour of the breast. Either way, I still love it for some reason. Maybe because it’s a fun story about a surgery I got to stay awake for. Hah.
I have a small scar on my ankle from where it was almost broken off. This was when I was about four years old and from what I’m told, my ankle was barely connected to my leg. I ran with a limp ’til age 8 or 9 because of that accident. :S
I have a small scar on my ankle from where it was almost broken off. This was when I was about four years old and from what I’m told, my ankle was barely connected to my leg. I ran with a limp ’til age 8 or 9 because of that accident. :S
Should have lots, but I have Ehlers-Danloss syndrome (some adventures are in the experiences section) so I form what are known as atrophic scars. Diffuse, no change in pigment, very hard to feel. Might as well not injure myself.
Just as well though, I’ve had three goes at taking off my left thumb, took a hockey stick to the forehead (severed artery and a cracked skull, which explains a bit…) and many, many other stupid injuries, most of which could’ve been prevented if I’d engaged brain before body. I expect most of the tales here will have a similar theme!
Should have lots, but I have Ehlers-Danloss syndrome (some adventures are in the experiences section) so I form what are known as atrophic scars. Diffuse, no change in pigment, very hard to feel. Might as well not injure myself.
Just as well though, I’ve had three goes at taking off my left thumb, took a hockey stick to the forehead (severed artery and a cracked skull, which explains a bit…) and many, many other stupid injuries, most of which could’ve been prevented if I’d engaged brain before body. I expect most of the tales here will have a similar theme!
ha ha i have a story! i have about a two inch scar on my left bicept. the story goes.. when i was 14 i was trying ot sweet talk a girl, and as a form of cock blocking my best friend ran up wit ha razor blade behind me and gave me a decent sized cut. i turned back with out knowing what had just happenned and i saw him laughing, literally on the verg of peeing with a razor in his hand. lol he still to this day (about 6 years later) denies it was him! but im lucky to have it. because now ill never forget my childhood friend ( kindergarten till now) and all teh good times we had. p.s. he felt a little bad and said i could cut him back. i didnt. and sort of regret it. it wold have been sort a morbid friend ship bracelet. he still has it coming though i suppose.
ha ha i have a story! i have about a two inch scar on my left bicept. the story goes.. when i was 14 i was trying ot sweet talk a girl, and as a form of cock blocking my best friend ran up wit ha razor blade behind me and gave me a decent sized cut. i turned back with out knowing what had just happenned and i saw him laughing, literally on the verg of peeing with a razor in his hand. lol he still to this day (about 6 years later) denies it was him! but im lucky to have it. because now ill never forget my childhood friend ( kindergarten till now) and all teh good times we had. p.s. he felt a little bad and said i could cut him back. i didnt. and sort of regret it. it wold have been sort a morbid friend ship bracelet. he still has it coming though i suppose.
I have a gnarly scar on my shin about 3 inches long from a playground accident when I was like 4. And its still one of my most prominent scars.
I have a gnarly scar on my shin about 3 inches long from a playground accident when I was like 4. And its still one of my most prominent scars.
rob, as interesting as this phenomenon is, you should’ve taken some extra time to research its current status (@ fat tony: no, it isn’t history.) as well as more of the origins of the ‘schmiss’, as we in austria call it.
if i may: the ‘schmiss’ rose to mainstream popularity outside of closed dueling societies mostly after the first world war, especially in right wing led germany (weimar republic). the first and foremost multiplicator for this trend were student leagues, who at that time were mostly spouting nationalist patriotic propaganda of one kind or another.
so, you see, when the ‘schmiss’ became widely popular it was no longer the honorific of a sportsmanlike fencing competition, but rather a propagandistic tool of nationalist, right wing groups to support their views of blood, honor and manhood.
today the ‘schmiss’ (at least in austria, but i’m sure germany is very similar) is still being propagated by student leagues or fraternities with a dueling or fencing club. problem: virtually all of these are alligned with right-wing, nationalists politics or, even worse, straight out racist and fascist political views.
i’m not trying to give you the once over for picking out an interesting topic and highlighting some of its historic roots, but choosing the picture of a ss officer in light of the current meaning of and associations made with the ‘schmiss’, i’m sure you will see that it was a problematic choice, because (again, at least in austria) the ‘schmiss’ is alive (fortunately not in the mainstream) and fully engulfed by modern day nazis, whom we should distance ourselves from as strongly as possible, wouldn’t you agree?
rob, as interesting as this phenomenon is, you should’ve taken some extra time to research its current status (@ fat tony: no, it isn’t history.) as well as more of the origins of the ‘schmiss’, as we in austria call it.
if i may: the ‘schmiss’ rose to mainstream popularity outside of closed dueling societies mostly after the first world war, especially in right wing led germany (weimar republic). the first and foremost multiplicator for this trend were student leagues, who at that time were mostly spouting nationalist patriotic propaganda of one kind or another.
so, you see, when the ‘schmiss’ became widely popular it was no longer the honorific of a sportsmanlike fencing competition, but rather a propagandistic tool of nationalist, right wing groups to support their views of blood, honor and manhood.
today the ‘schmiss’ (at least in austria, but i’m sure germany is very similar) is still being propagated by student leagues or fraternities with a dueling or fencing club. problem: virtually all of these are alligned with right-wing, nationalists politics or, even worse, straight out racist and fascist political views.
i’m not trying to give you the once over for picking out an interesting topic and highlighting some of its historic roots, but choosing the picture of a ss officer in light of the current meaning of and associations made with the ‘schmiss’, i’m sure you will see that it was a problematic choice, because (again, at least in austria) the ‘schmiss’ is alive (fortunately not in the mainstream) and fully engulfed by modern day nazis, whom we should distance ourselves from as strongly as possible, wouldn’t you agree?
uhhh, i’m half jewish, and the picture of the ss soldier doesn’t offend me in the slightest.
people who are expecting a shitstorm might be dissapointed,
nazis were people too, as hard as that can be to deal with sometimes.
uhhh, i’m half jewish, and the picture of the ss soldier doesn’t offend me in the slightest.
people who are expecting a shitstorm might be dissapointed,
nazis were people too, as hard as that can be to deal with sometimes.
Scars??!!! I recently answered this for someone, but I’d be delighted to do it again.
I have a small scar on my left forehead area where I had stitches because I was accidentally hit with a 9 iron golf club.(age9) (I was standing too close behind) My right chin has a scar where I slipped and fell and cut it on the edge of a metal lunchbox. (age 7)
My left breast has a lumpectomy scar(age 42), My right upper forearm has a 2 inch scar from when a hot iron fell on me(age 28). My navel has 2 tiny scars (one from a tubal ligation(age 29), another from my bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy) There’s another tiny scar on the right side of my lower abdomen from the bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy and a much larger scar on the left from the same surgery where the doctor had to go back in and fix some “bleeders (My veins weren’t cut off properly and I had internal bleeding)(age 42)
There are 2 tiny scars on the right and left side of my mons pubis from when I had my hysterectomy and bladder implants done(age39), and a small scar on my left upper leg above my knee where I had a cyst removed(age31), and a scar over a scar on my left knee where I fell and cut it the first time when I was 8, and then scrapoed it twice over a 2 month period ain April and May this year.
I have a scarification on the left side of my lower back that I got about a month ago. Oh, and I have some very interesting scars from my retired outer labia piercings were (I had 22 altogether)
Scars??!!! I recently answered this for someone, but I’d be delighted to do it again.
I have a small scar on my left forehead area where I had stitches because I was accidentally hit with a 9 iron golf club.(age9) (I was standing too close behind) My right chin has a scar where I slipped and fell and cut it on the edge of a metal lunchbox. (age 7)
My left breast has a lumpectomy scar(age 42), My right upper forearm has a 2 inch scar from when a hot iron fell on me(age 28). My navel has 2 tiny scars (one from a tubal ligation(age 29), another from my bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy) There’s another tiny scar on the right side of my lower abdomen from the bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy and a much larger scar on the left from the same surgery where the doctor had to go back in and fix some “bleeders (My veins weren’t cut off properly and I had internal bleeding)(age 42)
There are 2 tiny scars on the right and left side of my mons pubis from when I had my hysterectomy and bladder implants done(age39), and a small scar on my left upper leg above my knee where I had a cyst removed(age31), and a scar over a scar on my left knee where I fell and cut it the first time when I was 8, and then scrapoed it twice over a 2 month period ain April and May this year.
I have a scarification on the left side of my lower back that I got about a month ago. Oh, and I have some very interesting scars from my retired outer labia piercings were (I had 22 altogether)
I didn’t even notice the uniform…Guess the scar caught my attention more
I didn’t even notice the uniform…Guess the scar caught my attention more
But later it was disgraced as a symbol of elitist class-awareness. So as in critical films like http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044170/ (see the thumbnails, but there its only make-up) or some paintings in the 1920s, between WWI and WWII.
But later it was disgraced as a symbol of elitist class-awareness. So as in critical films like http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044170/ (see the thumbnails, but there its only make-up) or some paintings in the 1920s, between WWI and WWII.
This isn’t any run of the mill Nazi….its Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorkenzy, the Nazi James Bond. A thoroughly vicious and charming war criminal or hero depending on your perspective. Freed Mussolini in a daring raid. Talked his way out of Nuremburg and lived out his days in Franco’s Spain.
This isn’t any run of the mill Nazi….its Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorkenzy, the Nazi James Bond. A thoroughly vicious and charming war criminal or hero depending on your perspective. Freed Mussolini in a daring raid. Talked his way out of Nuremburg and lived out his days in Franco’s Spain.
This post really just makes me want to go steal everyones photographs and watermark them as mine.
This post really just makes me want to go steal everyones photographs and watermark them as mine.
have we all forgotten something?
the story is not about him being ss, just about his kick-ass scar.
Nazi’s did exist, get over it. They are still part of history.
Back to the topic in hand, i have two scars on my leg from running the opposite way up an escalator and tripping over.!
xx
have we all forgotten something?
the story is not about him being ss, just about his kick-ass scar.
Nazi’s did exist, get over it. They are still part of history.
Back to the topic in hand, i have two scars on my leg from running the opposite way up an escalator and tripping over.!
xx
GEEE EYEEE JOOOOE
GEEE EYEEE JOOOOE
I have about a 3/4 inch scar on my left shin. What makes it not so gnarly was it was given to me by a 6 month old kitten. ._.
I have about a 3/4 inch scar on my left shin. What makes it not so gnarly was it was given to me by a 6 month old kitten. ._.