Quilt Codes

Folklore has it that in the 1800s the Underground Railroad used cryptology — or secret writing — embedded in handmade slave quilts to communicate messages. When hung outside to air, each quilt illustrated a specific code or message that conveyed important information to those who were attempting to flee slavery and embark on the dangerous journey to freedom. Those outside the system would have never suspected that these colourful blankets of pieced cloth hid any special clues. They could never have imagined that these uneducated Blacks could devise such a unique system of communication!

This symbol was for a wagonwheel.

This meant a log cabin.

This symbol was the code for a crossroads.

Monkey Wrench: It is time to gather the tools required to make the journey.

Sail Boat: Boats are available for the crossing of crucial bodies of water.

Star: Points to the North Star.

Drunkard’s Path: In order to avoid detection, remember to stagger your run east to west, much like a drunken man staggers back and forth.

Bears Paw A reference to remind the slaves to follow bear trails being they are the best path and would lead to food or water.

Someone that would be at a meeting point to take the slaves to the next part of their journey.

Symbolized the fleeing slaves and depending on the time of year it also indicated direction.