Small Cross / Pigpen Cipher
The Small Cross Cipher (also known as the Pigpen Cipher or Masonic Cipher) is a simple substitution cipher that replaces letters with symbols based on a grid or "pigpen" pattern. Each letter is assigned a unique symbol derived from portions of grids or X-shaped patterns.
Pigpen cipher grid. Source: Skaut Lisak
Encoding
To encode a message using the Pigpen Cipher:
- Find each letter in the Pigpen grid or X-shaped symbol table.
- Replace the letter with the corresponding symbol.
- H →
- E →
- L →
- L →
- O →
Decoding
To decode a message:
- Split the message into individual Pigpen symbols.
- Identify each symbol in the grid table.
- Replace each symbol with its corresponding letter.
Repeat this process for the entire message.
Example
Input: HELLO WORLD
Encoded:
Decoded: HELLO WORLD