The Cross of Lorraine is a vertical cross bearing two horizontal crossbars. It initially belongs to European heraldic and dynastic history, before becoming a regional emblem of Lorraine. In the 20th century, it took on new major significance when Free France adopted it as a counter-symbol to the Nazi swastika. This dual history—regional and national—explains its powerful political and commemorative significance in France.
| Form | Vertical cross with two crossbars |
|---|---|
| Ancient context | European heraldry |
| Regional association | Lorraine |
| 20th century | Emblem of Free France |
| Modern meaning | Resistance, freedom, national memory |
How can you recognize the Cross of Lorraine?
The cross has two horizontal bars attached to the same vertical shaft. The upper bar may be shorter than the lower one.
This form brings it close to certain patriarchal or archiepiscopal crosses, which explains the terminological confusion.
In modern French usage, the expression “Cross of Lorraine” mainly refers to the form associated with the region and later with Free France.
Where does the double crossbar come from?
The double cross existed in European heraldry and Christian iconography before its specific association with Lorraine.
Princely houses and religious institutions use it in several forms. Its history therefore did not begin with the Second World War.
The Metropolitan Museum preserves series of decorative motifs from the 16th century explicitly designed in the shape of the Cross of Lorraine, proving its use long before the contemporary era.
How did it become a regional emblem?
The cross is linked to the dukes of Lorraine and gradually became a regional marker.
Its use on monuments, coats of arms, and objects reinforced this identification with the region.
This historical foundation allowed the symbol to be revived in the 20th century as a French sign immediately distinct from the German swastika.
Why did de Gaulle adopt it?
In 1940, Free France chose the Cross of Lorraine as its rallying emblem. Admiral Émile Muselier played a central role in this decision.
The symbol functions as a visual response to the Nazi swastika and enables the Free French forces to assert their own identity.
A photograph by Brassaï held at the Met shows a Cross of Lorraine painted on a Paris wall and described as a counter-symbol to the Nazi emblem.
What does it represent today?
The Cross of Lorraine remains associated with the Resistance, Charles de Gaulle, and the memory of Free France.
It also retains its regional identity in Lorraine, where its history long predates the war.
These two layers coexist: an ancient heraldic symbol that became, in a specific historical context, an emblem of national resistance.
Historical sources and reference points
The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds a photograph by Brassaï showing the Cross of Lorraine as a symbol of Free France and a counter-symbol to the swastika. The museum also holds 16th-century ornaments in the shape of the Cross of Lorraine.
