Großer Zapfenstreich The ( " Grand Tattoo " ) is a military ceremony performed in Germany and Austria . It is similar to the military tattoo ceremony performed in English - speaking countries , and is the most important ceremonial act executed by the German federal armed forces , the Bundeswehr , and by the Austrian Armed Forces . The Zapfenstreich is performed only during national celebrations and solemn public commemorations , to honour distinguished persons present at such special events . Examples are the farewell ceremony for a German federal president , or at the conclusion of large military exercises . It takes place in the evening hours and consists of a military formation of at least one military band , two platoon s of armed infantrymen , and two lines of soldiers carrying torches , in total about 400 men . History . The Zapfenstreich originated in the military as a sign of the end of daily activities in both field and garrison . The term was mentioned for the first time in 1596 . The Saxon major Hans von Fleming described this military custom for the first time in detail in his book " Der vollkommene teutsche Soldat " ( " The Perfect German Soldier " , 1726 ) . The Zapfenstreich was a trumpet signal to end the selling of liquor in the military quarters and to prepare for lights out . To underline that order , the sergeant major walked across the military camp and struck the taps of the casks with a stick . The word " Zapfenstreich " ( " tap strike " ) is similar to the Dutch " tap toe " , from which the English word " tattoo " comes . Like the tattoo military ceremony , the Zapfenstreich signifies completion of the day ' s work . In 1813 the Prussia n king Friedrich Wilhelm III witnessed the evening ceremony of the Russian army after the battle of Großgörschen near Berlin . He was deeply impressed of the religious parts of the ceremony , especially a choral version of the Lord ' s Prayer . The king ordered that a similar ritual be incorporated in the Prussian Zapfenstreich . In 1838 , a Zapfenstreich in nearly its present form was prepared by Wilhelm Wieprecht , director of music of the music corps of the Prussian Guard Corps , who arranged a great ( " monstre " ) outdoor concert for the king and his guest , Tsar Nicholas I of Russia , in Potsdam . On 12 May over 1 , 000 musicians performed the Prussian tattoo signals , a newly composed tattoo march , and the choral " " Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe " " ( " I pray to the power of love " ) , composed by the Ukrainian musician Dmytro Bortniansky with text by Gerhard Tersteegen . After the founding of the German Reich in 1871 , the emperor ' s hymn Heil Dir im Siegerkranz became part of the Zapfenstreich , but only when the emperor was present at the ceremony . Following the German Revolution the new national anthem , the " Deutschlandlied " by Hoffmann von Fallersleben , replaced the old imperial hymn in 1922 . When foreign heads of state or military units are honored , their respective national anthems are played . The German Democratic Republic reinstated the Großer Zapfenstreich in 1962 in an updated version , supplementing the traditional German ceremony with music based on " elements of the progressive military inheritance " including the song " For the Peace of the World " by Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich and a medley of songs and marches drawn from the German and international working - class movements . The hymn was replaced by a Russian funeral march honoring the martyrs of the Russian and German revolutions . The GDR national anthem replaced the Deutschlandlied . Other elements of the traditional Prussian ceremony — especially the torchlight procession , flourishes , and the Zapfenstreich March — were retained . The additions were an opening fanfare , inspection report of the unit commander , with the unit at present arms and eyes right , the presentation of the National People ' s Army Colors by the unit color guard , two fanfare calls by the fanfare section and kettle drummers , and a parade march past of the unit present in front of the honored guests after the reformation of the torchbearers and of the parade unit . The GDR ' s version , made official in 1981 and performed on March 1 , NVA Day , and October 7 , the GDR ' s National Day , and on several other occasions when needed , was made possible due to the support of longtime Director of Music of the NVA itself , Colonel Gerhard Baumann , who arranged some of the pieces that were used in the ceremony . Composition of the Military Grand Tattoo . West Germany / Germany ( 1952 - 53 - present ) East Germany ( 1962 – 89 ) Performance . The Großer Zapfenstreich consists of various components : The Großer Zapfenstreich is the highest honor that the German Federal Armed Forces can render to a civilian . Two of the most impressive " Große Zapfenstreiche " were those to farewell the allied troops in Berlin in 1994 and on the occasion of the departure from office of the German chancellor Helmut Kohl in Speyer in 1998 . People who are entitled to be honoured with a " Großer Zapfenstreich " are : Participants in the Großer Zapfenstreich involve at least a military band with an additional Corps of Drums made of drummers and fifers , two escort platoons or companies , and an honor formation of torch carriers . There may be regional variations . For example , the performance of the " Großer Zapfenstreich " in Bavaria differs slightly from the one above : instead of the " Prussian Tattoo March " the " Bavarian Tattoo March " is played , and instead of the " Gebet : Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe " the " Bavarian Military Prayer " by Johann Caspar Aiblinger is played . The Saxon variant march , the " Saxon Tattoo March " is played when a Grand Tattoo is held in Saxony . The East German Großer Zapfenstreich , although using the Prussian practice , was different in all respects . Its components , when summarized , are as follows : The Austrian version is different from the German one in many respects , and is more modern ( the ceremony was first done in 1965 ) . The ceremony is as follows : Criticism . There have been calls for the abolition of the Großer Zapfenstreich . The well - known politician Hans Koschnick of the Social Democratic Party labelled it " predemocratic " and " obsolete " . In 1996 , the Party of Democratic Socialism and the Green Party unsuccessfully motioned for the ceremony , or at least the prayer , to be abolished . Adaptation on Civil events and occasions . The Grosser Zapfenstreich is also performed on civil occasions , or else called for by event organizers . The difference is that civilian Marching band s and civilian Corps of Drums are separated but play together during the ceremony . Fanfare band s ( the German " Fanfarenzug " and " Fanfarenkorps " ) are optional participants of the ceremony . They also have torchbearer formations , just like in the military version , when the ceremony is held in the evening or night time , but day time ceremonies have none or have an optional use for the torchbearers . Some ceremonies call for armed civilian companies while others opt for unarmed escorts . Special uniforms are worn by the civilian escort companies for the ceremony . In several German towns and cities , colors guards are also a part of the ceremony , with the Flag of Germany and the Flag of Europe as first in precedence among all the flags . Composition of the Civilian Grand Tattoo . The full performance order of the ceremony is very much the same as in the military version , but a Feu de joie and an entrance of colors would be added in some cases ( if these are present they are to be lowered when the National Anthem is played ) . The report to the reviewing officer would optionally also have musical accompaniment was well by the band and the Corps of Drums .