ZODIAC CIPHERS
RICHARD GRINELL, COVENTRY, ENGLAND
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STAIRWAY TO HELL

7/10/2017

 
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It is not exceptional for hatred and murder to be driven by religion, but could the Zodiac Killer have been driven by such a force, bearing in mind his yearning for paradise and the promise of an afterlife. Many things point in this direction, however, on this occasion we will concentrate primarily on the 13 Symbol cipher to hopefully garner the evidence we require. Below is the 13 Symbol Cipher highlighting the features to be examined.

#1. 'The Celtic cross is a form of Christian cross featuring a nimbus or ring that emerged in Ireland and Britain in the Early Middle Ages. A type of ringed cross, it became widespread through its use in the stone high crosses erected across the islands, especially in regions evangelized by Irish missionaries, from the 9th through the 12th centuries.' Taken from Wikipedia.

​#2. 
The number 8 in Christianity represents rebirth, a new beginning, when man is ultimately resurrected from death into eternal life. A fascination Zodiac appeared to harbor with his desire for the afterlife.

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#3. The number 8, by design, represents infinity, the everlasting.

​#4. It has been speculated that the three eights may possibly be three Taurus symbols, in view of what vaguely looks like an upside down Aries symbol to their right - but this may be misleading, in view of the general consensus they are in fact three eights.

#5. The crude looking symbol may actually be an anchor. 'Christians adopted the anchor as a symbol of hope in future existence because the anchor was regarded in ancient times as a symbol of safety. For Christians, Christ is the unfailing hope of all who believe in him.' Taken from Wikipedia.  Again, referencing a future existence or afterlife.  
PictureA version of the Anglican coat of arms
#6. In Zodiac's following 32 Symbol Cipher he uses the 'anchor' sign again, and introduces the omega sign. 'Alpha (Α) and omega (Ω) are the first and last letters, respectively, of the classical (Ionic) Greek alphabet. Thus, twice when the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" appears it is further clarified with the additional phrase, "the beginning and the end" (Revelation 21:6, 22:13). The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet were used because the book of Revelation is in the New Testament, which was originally written in Greek. This phrase is interpreted by many Christians to mean that Jesus has existed for all eternity or that God is eternal'. Taken from Wikipedia.

#7. The number 888 represents Jesus or Christ the Redeemer in Christian numerology. See here. 

#8 And finally number eight, which has been covered before. The Zodiac was the ultimate egotist, but did he sign off the 340 Cipher by introducing Jesus Christ once more, generated directly from his own pseudonym, before transferring it from the 340 Cipher to 13 Symbol Cipher. It is quite remarkable that the 340 Cipher has withstood almost 50 years of the best modern technology we can throw at it, unless it is simply undecipherable. Here we shall focus on just eight characters, all present on the last line, as a form of signature. These eight characters at the foot of the 340 Cipher are in essence all transferred to his next cipher, as though he was linking the two ciphers together. 


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The Zodiac Killer was driven by self publicity and a huge ego, so what better way to drop us a hint by placing his pseudonym, and signing off on the final line of the 340 Cipher. You will notice he places the Zodiac crosshair symbol, followed by what could be interpreted as Zodiac and then the 'anchor' symbol, with a line on the top and a dot to the left. What we shall do is place the correct spelling of Zodiac alongside this version he placed on the 20th line of the 340 Cipher and calculate the alphabetical difference numerically between the columns.

ZOD produces three zero's, the IAC produces 888. These two incorporated together gives us the three circled 8's found on his next cipher - as though he was carrying them forward. It is also apparent on the 13 Symbol Cipher, that either side of the three circled 8's are the Zodiac crosshair and 'anchor' symbol, both of which can be seen on the final line of the 340 Cipher effectively in the same position. So the author, in essence, carried eight characters from one cipher to another. Finally, the 408 Cipher was separated into three communications of eight lines, with the letters K and M featuring exclusively at the end of each communication. The exact letters encircled by the three eights on the 13 Symbol Cipher.  

All of the above is subjective and does not necessarily indicate the Zodiac Killer was inspired by a warped religious calling. It is simply a matter of faith.


Hoth
7/12/2017 06:57:54 pm

Interesting stuff. Wonder what you think of this. I have been looking at the 340 cipher for a while. I used the FBI method of Line 1 + Line 11 and then Line 2 + Line 12 because the math seems to support that. And my earliest attempts at a "total" deciphering always seemed to show that same pattern. So here is what I found for the first 3 lines:

HE ENSLAVED BY THE SE/A TEMPLE BIDRS OH MY B/EST BE RDN BE IN DECAY SO/ SCALEY BAPHOMET PRA/RE I AM TAKEN DOTN WHY/ WHOS ENTEB PARADICE

I have found some slight variations to this text at times that might make a little more sense, but the misspellings or miscodings make nailing the exact right words difficult. He also often in the other parts uses combined words or phrases which taken together makes deciphering by computer impossible.

Would love to hear what you think. I think he was obsessed with occult and afterlife.

Richard
7/12/2017 11:35:25 pm

Without looking at the exact technique you used it is difficult to make an assessment, but keep at it. The idea that this 340 cipher follows conventional techniques is highly unlikely. To me, the Zodiac knowing nobody had solved the cipher in the first year, may very well have dropped clues in his later correspondence. Some think the Halloween Card may be one of them. I certainly think, but cannot prove he had a religious influence in his life, borne out in his communications. Whether this partially drove him to kill, only he knows, but I have always thought that it did. I have never been convinced by the occult angle, particularly regarding Darlene Ferrin, although clearly it couldn't be ruled out. Trying to psychoanalyze serial killers is an almost impossible task- look at Dennis Rader and Gary Ridgeway.

Rubislaw 32 link
8/25/2017 11:04:29 pm

Hi Richard

Like many,I have my own theory on the ''My name is -------'' cipher solution,but a fascinating and inspiring article from you.

It had always struck me that the sometimes referred ''8 Ball'' symbol,isn't really,as named [?].Perhaps pedantic,but Zodiac appears to allow the figure of eight to touch the circle,in which it is contained.Different from our accepted perception [?].

About two years ago,I came across the ''Colorado Brand Book 1962'',which can be viewed online.....a rare copy of rancher's licensed livestock brands,borrowed from the documents wing of Berkeley University.

On page 269,Brand No.10 has been issued to a Ms.Helen Roper Brown,Hasty,Bent County,Colorado.This,I believe is the precise symbol that Zodiac employed for the ''My name is -------'' cipher.

Indeed,the copy that we see onscreen may well be the very copy,that Zodiac leafed through,when finding the ''eight'' symbol.

Apart from the book's rarity,another interesting ''item'' emerges.On page 454,Brand license No.17,has been issued to a certain Fred Harman III,of Paragosa Springs,Archuleta County,Colorado.Indeed,the very symbol that many believe that Zodiac ''varied'',and employed on the Halloween Card,and its envelope.

Kind regards

Rubislaw 32

Richard
8/26/2017 02:36:24 am

That looks identical Rubislaw. Has this ever been proposed on any Zodiac forums, because this provides a very interesting connection bearing in mind the 'cattle branding" image linked to the Halloween Card. Both images trace back to branding in Colorado too. That is also interesting because in the original police report from Lake Berryessa Bryan Hartnell mentioned the suspect saying he came from Colorado. Could the killer be drawing inspiration from the cattle branding. As you know Tahoe from zodiackillersite forum discovered the Fred Harman "by gun, by knife, by fire, by rope" connection in comic book. That would be a further interesting feature.
Why don't you post this on the forum and see if anything is unearthed from it. It is certainly a noteworthy finding Rubislaw. The whole Colorado, cattle branding and this should be placed in article form. Here are the direct links to your pages. Thanks.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b309119;view=1up;seq=279

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b309119;view=1up;seq=464

Rubislaw 32 link
8/26/2017 04:00:31 am

Thanks for your positive response,Richard.

I am content to post on a ''quiet little backwater'',but earnest site.But,please feel free to ''re-introduce'' anything I happen to offer up [?].

Yes,I see now your referral to Bryan Hartnell's report that Zodiac had claimed that he was from Colorado.My personal inclination is that Zodiac was bluffing on that particular claim.

But yes,it is entirely feasible that Zodiac had visited Berkeley University [?].

My feelings are that Zodiac ''pilfered'' symbols,from such places as libraries,as was his want to hang out,at such places [?].Something,perhaps,to add a little extra interest to a newly constructed cryptogram.....and,in addition to the standard alphabet,etc.[?].

Speaking of which....the ''anchor'' symbol,and its mirror image,to which you refer to,as making an appearance in the ''340''.....may be,as with the Harman symbol,a ''Zodiac variant'' [?].

If the ''anchor'' symbol is flipped on its head,it is very similar to the ''Reprise Records'' symbol.This record label was started in the sixties,when Frank Sinatra decided to leave ''Capitol Records'',for more artistic license.The company became a big success,signing such artists as Trini Lopez,Cher,and the new solo performer,Neil Young.

I can just see Zodiac planning a cipher,and using a ''Reprise'' LP cover,as a writing surface......and,''Bingo'' [!].

Rubislaw 32


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    The Zodiac Killer may have given us the answer almost word-for-word when he wrote PS. The Mt. Diablo Code concerns Radians & # inches along the radians. The code solution identified was Estimate: Four Radians and Five Inches To read more, click the image.
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