Challenging Masonic Ciphers to Solve
There are many distinctive ciphers used by the Freemasons in times past. The Cypher of the Rose Croix (used in Tricky Masonic Cipher 1) is one of these old sets of symbols.
Sometimes Masonic ciphers have keywords. A keyword is written into the top of the ‘pigpen’ grid, with two letters per box. The remaining letters are then written into the rest of the boxes in pairs. The second letter in each pair is encrypted with a dot. In the example below, LODGE is the keyword.
Tricky Masonic Cipher 1. This cryptogram has been written in the Cypher of the Rose Croix, an old Masonic cipher.
Tricky Masonic Cipher 1 Hint
Tricky Masonic Cipher 1 Answer
Tricky Masonic Cipher 2. This quote from antiquity still applies today!
Tricky Masonic Cipher 2 Hint
Tricky Masonic Cipher 2 Answer
Tricky Masonic Cipher 3. This cipher has a keyword — can you discover it?
Tricky Masonic Cipher 3 Hint
Tricky Masonic Cipher 3 Answer
Tricky Masonic Cipher 4. This Masonic cipher also has a keyword.
Tricky Masonic Cipher 4 Hint
Tricky Masonic Cipher 4 Answer
Tricky Masonic Cipher 1 Hint
The fourth word starts with D.
Tricky Masonic Cipher 2 Hint
The last letter is I.
Tricky Masonic Cipher 3 Hint
The first letter is K.
Tricky Masonic Cipher 4 Hint
The first words starts with S.
Cracking Codes & Cryptograms Glossary
cipher
An encryption where each letter of the alphabet is replaced by a different letter, number, or symbol. As opposed to a code, where whole words are replaced by letters, numbers, or symbols.
Cracking Codes & Cryptograms Glossary
ciphertext
The encrypted message.
Cracking Codes & Cryptograms Glossary
keyword
A word which is used as a key to a cipher. The word is often written at the start of the ciphertext alphabet or into the top positions of a Masonic/Pigpen Cipher. The remaining letters of the alphabet make the remainder of the ciphertext alphabet.
Cracking Codes & Cryptograms Glossary
pattern word
A word which has repeating letters in it. This pattern of repeating letters is very helpful when cracking a cryptogram. The most widely seen pattern word is THAT - the letter T appears twice. When you see an encrypted word in the pattern 1- -1 (where the number 1 represents the enciphered letters), it’s most likely to be THAT. Another common pattern word is PEOPLE — if you see an encrypted word in the pattern 12-1-2, PEOPLE is a good guess.
Cracking Codes & Cryptograms Glossary
plaintext
The original message, in plain English.
