The Cross of Lorraine

May 16, 2006 6:34 PM

I'm planning on getting a tattoo incorporating the Cross of Lorraine, does it have negative connotations?

I am choosing the design for personal reasons, but before I get it I want to make sure it doesn't have any obscure, overtly negative connotations that I may not know about. Does it stand for anything unsavoury I might not be aware of? I don't want to be chased out of somewhere with pitchforks while on my travels in Europe.

posted by oxala to Human Relations (13 answers total)

Well, I was going to point out that it was the symbol of the genocidal Norsefire party in "V for Vendetta", but that's right there in the wikipedia link you provide so I assume you know that?

Besides that fictional use, I am only familiar with positive associations. It was a symbol of the Free French in the Second World War, and the name of an anti-Nazi POW movie. The primary association for me is the Anti-Nazi one.
posted by Justinian at 6:54 PM on May 16, 2006

Yes. I'd think of it as the Slovakian flag during the time in which they were allies with Nazi Germany.
posted by matkline at 6:58 PM on May 16, 2006

Yeah, if you're in the Eastern Europe, it might not go down too well with the elderly (I'm glad matkline beat me to it on this, as I wasn't certain - I was going by a garbled conversation I had in German with an old lady selling WWII memorabilia at a flea market in Croatia!)

Anywhere else I'd think anyone who even recognised it would associate the symbol with the Free French, or mistake it for an Orthodox cross.
posted by jack_mo at 7:13 PM on May 16, 2006

It's a common sight in Argentina.
posted by Wet Spot at 7:49 PM on May 16, 2006

I think it would be in your best interest not to go with a particular design of any kind if you have to ask what it means -- getting a tattoo of anything seems to imply to me that you are extremely well-versed in whatever it is (or were just drunk at the time, and that doesn't fare better) because both those unknowledged about it will ask, as well as those keenly aware of its meaning and assume things about you that are likely untrue.
posted by vanoakenfold at 7:49 PM on May 16, 2006

Might I suggest that you do some research on Boyd Rice before you get that tattoo as many people in esoteric music and occult circles will associate it with him. I will let you form your own opinions on him, suffice it to say that he is a very controversial person with controversial ideas, some with which you might not want yourself associated with (but your mileage may very).

See also:
http://www.thevesselofgod.com/home.html
posted by RoseovSharon at 9:45 PM on May 16, 2006

Well I say, if you like the symbol for whatever meaning you like it for, get it after the appropriate amount of forethought.

vanokenfold - Given that he linked to a wikipedia article can't we assume he already knows of the meanings listed there and has some reason for wanting a tattoo of it? He's not asking what it means, he's asking if any known meanings may be something socially unacceptable (secret nazi connections, serial killer's signature, whatever). And as far as people assuming things about you that are likely untrue...isn't that what they already do based on his physical features, manner of dress and speaking, etc? For someone considering a tattoo I'm sure he's quite aware people who see it may judge him.
posted by crypticgeek at 12:36 AM on May 17, 2006

This article gives a couple of other meanings associated with the cross: the only potentially negative one not mentioned in the wikipedia article being that “this cross sign was used as a symbol for the exiled Cubans and their (unsuccessful) attempt to invade Cuba and conquer Fidel Castro’s forces.”
posted by misteraitch at 1:06 AM on May 17, 2006

The Psychic TV association listed near the bottom of the article has also branched off into a religion/cult/belief system in it's own right: Thee Temple of Psychick Youth.
posted by Orb2069 at 4:02 AM on May 17, 2006

Gah, TOPY. Bunch of wankers, all of them.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:30 AM on May 17, 2006

In itself, the Swastika was a very old and pretty harmless symbol, even holy at that, until that Nazis took hold of it and changed its meaning forever.

Hopefully no one will do the same for the Croix de Lorraine in your lifetime...
posted by XiBe at 5:15 AM on May 17, 2006

Well, Marilyn Manson is using at as a symbol for his Celebritarian movement stuff. I can see that becoming the most well known use of the cross, which probably would not be that nice to you. And regarding the nazi connection, the current flag of slovakia also features the cross. It's basically a slovakian national symbol rather than a slovakian nazi symbol.
posted by insomnus at 5:43 AM on May 17, 2006

I think of it painted on the side of the French-piloted Spitfires during WWII - definitely positive for me.
posted by jalexei at 6:23 AM on May 17, 2006