Branding: How it’s Done
Branding is the process of having a symbol burned into your skin with a hot metal rod. Some think of branding as something that is done to cattle or that used to be done to slaves, but in the Greek world it has a whole different meaning.
…to permanently burn their greek letters into their skin it is the ultimate level of loyalty to their organizations.
The decision to do this is a choice and a big one at that.
Fraternities and sororities have long participated in branding rituals. Branding might seem painful, scary and maybe even pointless. But, to the men and women who decide to permanently burn their Greek letters into their skin, it is the ultimate level of loyalty to their organizations.
The practice has traditionally been done in historically African American and multicultural fraternities and sororities around the United States.
Cable shows like Key & Peele on Comedy Central sometimes over-exaggerate branding rituals and use comedy to explain getting a brand. But the ritual of getting a brand is typically private and members involved don’t often share videos because it is a sacred ritual.
The process starts by getting a metal rod either already welded into the Greek letter desired or using a wire hanger and using pliers to bend into the Greek letter desired.
Typically other members of the fraternity or sorority rally around the individual excited for their brother or sister to take this step.
The metal rod is then heated using either a blow torch or a stove.
Jaylan Padilla a fraternity member who was branded in July of 2016 says that although he wasn’t nervous before getting the brand, the scariest part is the pop sound that the hot rod makes hitting the skin for the first time and the smell of burning skin.
Getting a brand is a fast, simple and sacred process, but the decision to get one is a big decision. It is never forced, but most of the time respected by other members of the Greek world.