
Broken dish symbols which would be used as directional symbols along the escape route.Bow tie symbols meaning it would be necessary to change from slave clothing.Bears Paw symbols conveying a message to take a mountain route.Crossroads symbols that indicated Cleveland, Ohio.This does make some sense in relation to quilts being hung on clotheslines. The use of symbols on quilts were said to be an effective way for slaves to communicate nonverbally with each other and help each other to escape. Unsubstantiated t heories has been offered that quilts were made containing Underground Railway symbols. Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: Quilt Codes Certain items, such as a quilt, were hung on a clothesline.Knocks on doors used a coded series of taps as symbols of identity."All Clear" was conveyed in safe houses using a lighted lantern in a certain place as this symbol.Certain Songs were sung as symbols of Underground Railway members.The hoot of an owl was used to convey messages.Messages were sent by drumming stones together.Passwords were used to ensure the fugitives were genuine.The "Underground Railroad", operating under essential secrecy, adopted many symbols and signs that were made known to the fugitive slaves: Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: Symbols and Signs The word "underground" was added meaning a covert group organized to hide a secret operation. The reason the name was chosen was this date coincided with the time the first railroads began to run in America - refer to American Railroads. The term "Underground Railroad" was chosen in 1831 as a secret code name for the escape routes used by fugitive slaves. Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: The Name "Underground Railway" Although slaves had been trying to escape from slavery for many years the name "Underground Railroad" only started to be used in 1831 following the religious revival of the Second Great Awakening which resulted in the 1830 Abolitionist Movement which became active following Nat Turner's Rebellion leading to the establishment of the Underground Railroad.įor additional information also refer to Underground Railroad Maps There were harsh penalties for runaway slaves and their helpers - refer to the Fugitive Slave Act. Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: The Underground Railway History
