Easy Masonic Ciphers to Figure Out
The Freemasons have long used ciphers to encrypt their ceremonies and messages. Both the ciphers on this page use the classic Masonic Cipher, which is also known as the Pigpen Cipher, as the alphabet is written into a series of grids, with some passing resemblance to pigpens.
Despite appearances, these ciphers are all simple substitution cryptograms, so the frequency of each symbol will give you clues as to which letters are E, T and A. Other solving tricks for cryptograms will work equally well here.
See the Cracking Codes & Cryptograms For Dummies Cheat Sheet for more hints!
Easy Masonic Cipher 1. This is a quote from Albert Pike:
Easy Masonic Cipher 1 Hint
Easy Masonic Cipher 1 Answer
Easy Masonic Cipher 2. It won’t take you long to crack this cryptogram!
Easy Masonic Cipher 2 Hint
Easy Masonic Cipher 2 Answer
Easy Masonic Cipher 1 Hint
The first word ends with Y.
Easy Masonic Cipher 2 Hint
The second word starts with M.
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.
