Hermandad

Hermandad referred to in the Spanish one (mostly religious ) Brotherhood. Its members are called Hermanos.

Especially so are the brotherhoods that carry out their processions during Semana Santa, called. For this Hermandades the term is used synonymously Cofradías.

In a narrower sense, however, there is a slight difference between a Hermandad and a cofradía. Each association of the faithful, which is formed with the goal of making pious or charitable works, is called Hermandad. Moreover, if the promotion of the service or worship of God is as an objective, the Association is to cofradía. Thus, each cofradía is always a Hermandad, while a Hermandad must be a cofradía not necessarily.

Strictly speaking, to be seen in the processions of Semana Santa fraternities are so Cofradías, although in general most of Hermandades is mentioned.

Metaphorical meaning of " high Hermandad »

In German " high Hermandad " sometimes metaphorically in the sense of " police " used in reference to an earlier meaning in Spanish, as Hermandad was an urban militia in early medieval Castile.

• Brotherhood