Map Cipher
Maps have been used by people for centuries to aid in navigation. However, if you
look closely at some maps you may be able to identify a pattern. Map ciphers are
maps that look normal but have a secret cipher hidden within.
To create your own map cipher you need to create a set of symbols that stand for each
letter in the alphabet. The example below uses tree branches and a matrix to create
an alphabet of trees. The position of each letter in the matrix determines the number of branches on the left or right side of the tree. Look at letter "C", located
in the matrix position of (1, 3). Place on branch on the left, 3 on the right.
Using the matrix above, can you figure out what the secret message is below?
You may want to use mountains, tributaries to streams, or other objects that don't
give your secret message away. The key to any good cipher is to make it look normal.
If the enemy doesn't suspect anything your message will likely remain a secret.
Another thing you might want to do is randomly place letters into the matrix so that
your cipher doesn't have such an easy pattern to decipher. Perhaps put letter "A"
in (1, 4) and put letter "B" in (3, 2), etc. Maybe you'll use extra matrix locations
to put in punctuation marks or distraction letters?
To make the process of creating a map cipher faster you may want to make use of the
HyperCard stack "Map Cipher 1.0b."