Blood brother

Blood brother can refer to one of two things: a male related by future birth, or two or more men not related by birth who have sworn loyalty to each other. This is in modern times usually done in a ceremony, known as a blood oath, where having each person make a small cut, usually on a finger, hand or the forearm, and then the two cuts are pressed together and bound, the idea being that each person's blood now flows in the other participant's veins. In modern times, some gangs have also been known to use blood brother rituals. The tradition extends back to ancient history, including stories such as David and Jonathan in the Bible.

History

The term "blood brother" is also used in historical context to refer to friendships and alliances made by Roman and Native American soldiers. In Roman times, the blood brother ritual was used before battles to signify the warriors' loyalty to each other. In Native American culture, blood brothers were created in a ceremony where blood was exchanged between two parties, symbolizing their bond.

Cultural references

The concept of the blood brother is common in popular culture, with references in literature, film, and television. The term is often used to describe a deep, platonic bond between two characters. In some cases, the characters are literally brothers, while in others, they are friends who have sworn an oath of loyalty.

See also

• Blood oath
• Friendship
• Loyalty