As the scars were gained in this particular elite social context, associated with status and an academic institution, the scars showed that one had courage and also was “good husband material”. The duelling scars, while obvious, were not so serious as to leave a person disfigured or bereft of facial features. The scars were even judged by Otto von Bismarck to be a sign of bravery, and men’s courage could be judged “by the number of scars on their cheeks”.[5]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dueling_scar
Happy New Year!
Leni