What is the significance of the ring the French guy shows Victor Laszlo in the movie Casablanca?
The Cross of Lorraine is part of the heraldic arms of Lorraine in eastern France. It was originally held to be a symbol of Joan of Arc, renowned for her perseverance against foreign invaders of France (in her case, the English). Between 1871 and 1918 (and again between 1940-1944), the northern third of Lorraine was annexed to Germany, along with Alsace. During that period the cross served as a rallying point for French ambitions to recover its lost provinces. This historical significance lent it considerable weight as a symbol of French patriotism. The flag of Free France featured a red Cross of Lorraine on a standard Flag of France.During World War II, the cross was adopted as the official symbol of the Free French Forces (French: Forces Françaises Libres, or FFL) under Charles de Gaulle. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~… Showing Victor and Ilsa the ring with that symbol signalled them that he was with the Free French Forces.
