Branding
 

I have a question for the brothers up here.

Have any of yall been a part of, or know first hand what its like to brand human flesh. There are a few people here who are showing some interest and I just wanted a few ideas, opinions, thoughts, etc so that I could relay that to them.

The idea floating around is either Delta Pi vertically aligned

or the Cross and Crescent

I think it is highly inappropriate. It is crude, vulgar, and not something befitting a gentleman. I know that it is common among members of the "Divine Nine" but I do not think it is appropriate for us. We have a different culture and, from what I have seen recently, a different understanding of the concept of fraternity. One need only watch the press and see the disproportionate number of Divine Nine houses being smacked for hazing.

In these houses a brand is just about required and those who choose not to get one run the risk of ostracism.

Besides, with a brand or tattoo, what happens if that member should be expelled?

I'm sure it hurts like a mother...

And, medically/nerd speaking, it provides a huge opening for bacteria to get in.
Do this to a kid that has a heart murmur he's not aware of and he could be
dead in a week from endocarditis.

Potential to look cool/tough: B+
Potential to benefit you as a person: D-
Potential to benefit Brotherhood: F

Go for it!!!

People get LXA tatoos. This is simply another form of body modification to show dedication to brotherhood.

Sure it will hurt, but as long as the brother gets it our of his own free will and is not forced into it, I don't see the problem.

Branding has become a very popular form of body modification over the last couple years. I would not recommend doing it yourself, but going to a tatoo/piercing shop where an artist has already completed a couple.

When i was in school one of the Sig Eps got drunk and tried home branding. I believe he used a coat hanger and put a Sigma on his arm. I thought for sure Phi Beta Sigma was going to kick his ass.

I actually met a brother from my own chapter who was branded. Whether by himself or someone else I don't know.

I was, and still am, absolutely appalled.

Remember that your actions don't affect just you; they affect our whole fraternity. How many people who see a brother's scarred flesh are going to believe that it was completely voluntary? It will give the impression that we're branding out pledges.

I don't normally advocate choosing a course of action based on what others will think, but sometimes you just have to use your head.

:eek:

i don't know of any shops that do branding. is it a regional thing? the people i know with brands all have been done at home (although not self-performed).

I've never seen a "professional" fraternity brand, but I've seen some pro-brands that were not fraternal. I think some parlors in NYC do it.

I would much rather see fraternity men have it done professionally. I personally don't have a brand and don't like seeing Alpha brands, but if you're going to choose to modify your body, it should be done professionally.

Agree with ottor on this and find it some what inane.

Do people think cows, pigs and horses like it?:rolleyes:

I must confess I've never considered such a thing, but then again, I went to college.

Well, tattoos on arms and legs are acceptable.

Would it be ok if I got a LXA tattoo on my forehead?

Some brothers wear hats. Others t-shirts. Some wear fezes. Some get tattoos. Some get branded.

If that is the way a brother wishes to express his dedication to LXA, we should support that decision as long as it is not illegal.

Ok I first want to address something said about expulsion. It is my personal thinking that if someone gets a tattoo or brand, then obviously they are somewhat dedicated to the fraternity, and even if they get expelled, I feel like it would never take Lambda Chi Alpha out of my heart, regardless of what IHQ says.

Second, I know several brothers from the 90s who already have some and they are on the upper part of their shoulders, which is easily hidden. Oh and let me go ahead and be frank with you guys, I am one of the persons interested in getting a brand, and it would be on the upper half of my thigh, and most likely Delta Pi.

As for the professionalism of the branding, well it would be a half-half thing. the brand itself would be professionally made, but it would have to be applied by a Brother.

So myself personally, I dont believe that its all that bad, it is an alternate way to express your dedication to something you really care about, and by getting one how would that make you any less of a Brother? I would still have the same heart and thought process as the day that I went through.

Go for it Trey.

If that's what you want. Just be careful about "double lettering" - wearing more than one item of clothing with our letters on it. So don't get a brand AND a tattoo.

I would also suggest having it professionally done. Around New England there are shops that specialize in the more extreme type of body modification; scarring, branding and implants. The professional will not only apply it correctly but will also dress and care for it correctly (VERY IMPORTANT).

If that is what you want, go for it. It's in a very private place. Brian Setzer once said his dad gave him this advice; "Never get a tattoo where a judge can see."

My fiance's dad is a pig farmer, and he does not brand anymore. Most
pig farmers in illinois have switched to a type of large chalk-pen which
resembles spraypaint. They did that because it's more humane (even
tho the pigs are living 'asses to elbows' in the houses) and the brands
on them could get infected and kill the pig.

Yeah I know about the '2 letter rule', and thats why it is going to be either Delta Pi or the C&C, I am interested in a tattoo that I posted a while ago (the celtic cross) and will probably get that later on, and I usually dont wear letters that often anyway. I have a couple lettered shirts, but I usually only wear my hoodie, so I dont think its going to be a big problem.

Oh and it justs so happens that I know an older brother from a neighboring school who actually did it himself (made the brand, and had people apply it) and since theirs turned out good, I would definitely seek out his help and advice.

Well then Trey, get the biggest, cheapest bottle of whiskey you can find and get to work!!!!

I'm not gonna say that's gonna hurt a lot...

but that's gonna hurt a lot.

In other news, I got me a frattoo... Check it oot.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...31198_8377.jpg

I like it..it is similar to a brothers here in NC at UNC-G, his just has a little more to go with the badge

Nice Tat, very nice.:)