What does the broken chain at the Statue of Liberty's feet symbolize?

The broken chain at the Statue of Liberty’s feet symbolizes the abolition of slavery. Liberty steps over a broken shackle and chain, linking the monument with emancipation and the end of slavery in the United States.

The image reflects the statue’s post–Civil War context. Édouard de Laboulaye, the French thinker associated with the project, was an abolitionist and supporter of the Union cause. He admired the United States’ experiment in democracy and regarded the Union victory and emancipation as important achievements.

The chain is partly hidden beneath the statue’s robes and is difficult to see from the ground. That placement has contributed to a common misconception: many visitors notice the tablet and torch but overlook the anti-slavery symbolism at Liberty’s feet.

The broken chain is not the same symbol as the tablet’s date, July 4, 1776, which points to American independence. Nor does it specifically represent immigration, although the statue later became a powerful welcome symbol for immigrants. The monument combines several ideas of liberty, including independence, democracy, emancipation, and human rights.