Codes and Ciphers

Pirates and treasure go together like candle and flame. A lot of pirate life is devoted to acquiring treasure, but once one has one's treasure, what do you do with it? There's only so much you can store in your ship's hold, and carting it around makes one vulnerable to thieves (because there is no law against stealing stolen treasure). 

What's a pirate to do?

Many choose to bury their treasure, but that creates the added difficulty of remembering where you put it or marking the location in a way that you can find it again but no one else can. Sure, "X marks the spot" is classic, but do you really want to hide your treasure behind a system the average four-year-old can interpret?

Because of this, many pirates are experts at codes and ciphers. Do you think you'd make a good pirate? Why not try a hand at some of these puzzles and codes? (hint, all the answers are Mythologie candles, but if you want to check your answers, scroll to the very bottom of this post)

Shift Code:

The most basic of codes, a shift code involves "shifting" the alphabet one or more letters over so that a becomes b, b becomes c, and so on. Once you've figured out the "shift" the codes are super easy to break. Why don't you try your hand with this high-seas-themed Mythologie Candle?

O D E L S N A Y G A Z

Rail Fence Cypher:

Was that too easy for you? Let's mix it up! A Rail Fence Cipher (aka Zigzag Cipher) divides the letters up onto three or more "rails" then writes them in a zigzag. You then read the letters horizontally. Here's "this is how it looks" broken down as a Rail Code.

Pretty sneaky, huh?
So which of our taboo candles is encoded here:
F I N G O B D E J N L R D U E

Pigpen Cipher:

Want to look like you're writing in ancient runes or some sort of cryptic alien language in a few easy steps? Learn the Pigpen Cipher!
This code puts the letters of the alphabet into grids then uses their location on the grid to form a symbol. Here's a handy key.

Using that, can you figure out which bedeviled candle has been encoded below?

So what did you think of those codes? Too easy? Well, you might just be a natural treasure hunter!
Want some Tropical Treasure without all that digging? Check out our pirate-themed candles. Maybe buy some for your friends but don't let them have them until they can solve your secret messages! 

ANSWERS:

Shift Code: SHIPWRECKED

Rail Fence Cipher: FORBIDDEN JUNGLE

Pigpen Cipher: CURSED ISLAND