SECRET SIGNS
FRIEND FROM FOE
IN a condition of affairs where every man’s hand was against his
neighbor’s, the necessity of being able to tell friend from foe was more
urgent than in these peaceable times.
When plotting was rife upon every hand, and one man possibly held the
lives of many confederates in his power, knowing that an incautious word
of his might doom them all to punishment and probably death, it became
of paramount importance to have some means of discerning allies from
enemies.
Obviously the means of finding out such important information must be
such as to awaken no suspicion in the event of a mistake, whilst on the
other hand there should be no possibility of a stranger inadvertently
obtaining possession of the secret.
From earliest times the formation of Secret Societies has necessitated
the invention of Secret Signs, and in nine cases out of ten, it may be
said, the extinction of the societies from one cause or another has
resulted in the loss of their secret signs of recognition.
There are, however, even now, several Societies or Fraternities whose
members are possessed of certain signs whereby they can know each other,
and in several cases they claim lineal descent from some of the old
fraternities whose origins are lost in antiquity.
However, now that universal liberty, especially in this country, has
abolished the necessity for concealment, secret political societies have
disappeared, and with them their complicated systems of signs, tokens,
and pass-words.
In certain colleges and schools societies still exist, and as a secret
bond is held by many to be a very effective link in the dearest of
friendships, below are given a few suggestions to enable you to invent
some secret signs which shall be a tie between yourself and such friends
as you may consider worthy of initiation into their meanings.
Like verbs, secret signs may be roughly classed into active and passive.
Active signs are those which are given by movements of the limbs or
contortions of the face, whilst passive signs are connected entirely
with the disposal of parts of the clothing or the wearing of various
objects attached to the person.
Amongst active signs, the readiest in execution are those performed by
the hands in view of the person, whose attention it is desired to
attract, _e.g._, the signs can be given at the moment of shaking hands,
where such a ceremony is observed.
“SHAKES” AND “PASSES”
In this latter case a very good “shake” can be obtained by pressing the
thumb firmly against the back of the hand, as shown in Fig. 1. This will
arouse no suspicion in anybody ignorant of the meaning, though, if
reciprocated, it forms an excellent sign of recognition.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.--A handshake sign.]
[Illustration: FIG. 2.--An eyebrow sign.]
The variety of passes that can be executed with different meanings is
astonishing. Yet it should be remembered that, although outsiders may
not know what you are saying, it will always be apparent that “something
is up,” and a very undesirable curiosity will be awakened.
On the other hand, there are many little actions, unnoticeable in
themselves, which may have a great meaning to those “in the know.”
A simple stroking of the eyebrows (Fig. 2) is to all appearances a
harmless movement, but in the secret signs of a well-known society it
meant that treachery was in the air, and every person in the room would
have to be watched.
In a certain Italian Society, clasping the forehead with the left hand
as though in extreme weariness (Fig. 3) implied: “Be cautious, you are
being watched.” A similar action with the right hand meant: “We are
known, make your escape as best you can; leave me alone.”
In the same society, when a member found himself in a mixed assembly,
and desired to ascertain who amongst the guests belonged to his
fraternity, he would stroke his left cheek thoughtfully with extended
first and second fingers, as in Fig. 4.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.--The sign of an Italian secret society.]
[Illustration: FIG. 4.--The “cheek” sign of an Italian secret society.]
The brethren of a very respectable society, which still flourishes, are
generally credited with knowing each other by a peculiar flourish of the
hand when removing the hat, in a somewhat similar manner to that shown
in Fig. 5. Others make the ceremony of blowing the nose of like
importance.
[Illustration: FIG. 5.--The hat flourish.]
There used to be a famous Italian Secret Society divided into several
classes or degrees, each of which had its own especial sign. For the
first three degrees these signs were as follows:--
1st. The right hand is raised to the shoulder, and then passed slowly
down across the body to the left knee.
2nd. The right hand is placed upon the left shoulder, then drawn slowly
down the left arm until it reaches the hand. Thus clasped they are
raised to the breast.
3rd. The right hand is clasped, the thumb and little finger extended.
The former is placed against the lips, whilst the latter touches the
breast.
Those who desire to invent secret signs should avoid all those dependent
upon an unnecessary action, like the hat-flourish. It is more
satisfactory to apply the secret to some everyday action which, from its
very unobtrusiveness, will attract the attention of no stranger.
Members of certain religious secret societies to this day distinguish
one another by a peculiar style of cross, worn as a pendant from the
watch-chain, whilst a pass-word is current amongst them to enable them
to test those whom they meet wearing the symbol.
The use of flowers in the button-hole is a very common method of
attracting recognition, whilst a development of the same idea is seen in
the wearing of different colored neckties or ribbons, which in a crowd
will pass unnoticed save by those whose attention is desired. Yet to
both of these systems a certain danger is attached, for there is always
the chance of some unsuspecting person quite inadvertently wearing the
same flowers or colors.
Every one has heard of the language of flowers, but it is surprising to
what an extent this can be carried by enterprising young ladies with a
good collection in the garden or green house.
It has been frequently proved that some safeguard is a necessary
addition to the sign, and this safeguard usually takes the form of a
pass-word. Repeated after the sign has been given, this word serves to
show that the secret sign was neither given by accident nor picked up
through curiosity.
PASS-WORDS
Pass-words, and the methods of giving them, vary considerably. The word,
which must of course be known to all duly intrusted with the secret,
should be of two syllables.
One party called A says the first syllable, and the other person B
repeats the second, then saying the whole word. Supposing the pass-word
chosen be Oxford, A would make some remark introducing the word Ox,
whilst B, replying in a similar vein, would mention the last syllable
“ford” and conclude by repeating the whole word. With this system it is
almost impossible for an outsider to palm himself off as one of the
elect, even if he has become acquainted with all the signs of the
society.
It is a well-known fact that gypsies have a concerted plan of signals
which are employed to show members of the party the direction taken by
their leaders.
THE “PATTERAN”
The “patteran,” as it is called, is made in various ways. A piece of rag
fluttering from some bush near a cross-road, is a favorite signal,
whilst small twigs or leaves strewn in a particular direction, have a
somewhat similar meaning.
Tramps and vagrants of all kinds have a series of signs, which they
chalk upon the walls of the various houses at which they call, serving
to inform their brethren of the treatment received at the hands of the
occupiers.
By this method a rude cross will usually describe the rather chilling
welcome offered them by an irate householder, whilst a rough sketch of a
loaf of bread shows that the inmates are sufficiently sympathetic to
dispense with a portion of “the staff of life.” On the other hand, an
upraised leg with a boot upon its foot tells a tale which need not be
further enlarged upon.
As to the various modes of recognition that can be produced by whistles
and cries of all kinds, they are too familiar to require description in
these pages.