Georgia Guidestones

The Georgina Guidestones – Huge Granite Monument

The Georgina Guidestones is a huge granite monument in Elbert County, Georgia in United States and engraved on the four giant stone supporting the common capstone is a message clearly conveying a set of ten guidelines inscribed on the structure in eight modern languages, one language on each side of the four large upright stones with a shorter message inscribed towards the top of the structure in four ancient language script namely Babylonian, Classical Greek, and Sanskrit and Egyptian hieroglyphs. Moving clockwise round the structure from due north, the languages used are, English, Spanish, Swahili, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.

This monument has been referred to as the Georgia Guidestones or the American Stonehenge. Though it is not known to many, it is an important link to Occult Hierarchy dominating the world in which we live. The monument is around 19 feet 3 inches in height and is made from six granite slabs weighing a total of 237,746 pounds. While one slab stands in the centre, there are four arranged round it and a capstone is placed on top of the five slabs that are astronomically aligned. Besides the stone tablet, set in the ground, some distance to the west of the structure one will find some notes on the purpose and the history of the Guidestones.

Origin – A Mystery

Origin of the strange monument is a mystery since no one is aware of the true identity of the person or persons who were responsible for its construction. All that is known is that in June 1979, a well-dressed stranger had visited the office of the Elberton Granite Finishing Company and had informed that he wanted to build an edifice to transmit a message to mankind. He was identified as R.C. Christian though it soon became known that it was not his real name.

He had informed that he represented a group of men who were keen in offering direction to humanity but till date and two decades thereafter, no one is aware of who R.C. Christian really was or the names of those representing his group. The message inscribed on the Georgia Guidestones deal with four important fields: Governance and the establishment of a world government, population and reproduction control, the environment and man’s relationship to nature and spirituality

Message Inscribed 

The messages of the Georgia Guidestones are: 

Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance and nature. 

Guide reproduction wisely, improving fitness and diversity

Unite humanity with a living new language

Rule passion – faith, tradition and all things with tempered reason

Protect people and nations with fair law and just courts

Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court

Avoid petty laws and useless officials

Balance personal rights with social duties

Prize truth, beauty, love, seeking harmony with the infinite

Be not a cancer on the earth. Leave room for nature, Leave room nature. 

The Guidestones has become a subject of speculation for conspiracy theorist with many debating on the purpose of its presence. The monument was unveiled in March 1980 in the presence of 100 people while another account state, March 22, 1980 in the presence of around 400 people.

Loch Ness Monster

Loss Ness Monster – Cryptid Inhabiting Loss Ness 

Loss Ness Monster is considered to be cryptid inhabiting Loch Ness in the Scottish Highland and is similar to other lake monsters in Scotland and other places. Although its description differs from one account to another, many have described it as being very huge. The interest and belief in the existence of the animals differs since it was first brought into focus in 1933 and the evidence of its existence is anecdotal with less and much disputed photographic matter as well as sonar readings.

The Loch Ness Monster also known as Nessie is one of the most well-known urban legends of present times and also the greatest point of interest for crypto zoologist scientists studying animals which have not been proven of its existence. The first sightings of Nessie was documented in 565 when Saint Columba had saved a swimmer from being its dinner and for almost 1500 years thereafter, the Loch Ness Monster seemed to appear in stories though it is unknown whether there were eyewitness accounts or if they were invented for the purpose of entertainment. The legend of the monster continued to be passed on from one generation to the next where its popularity became the focus of attention in 1933.

Popular Theory of Ness Loch Monster ….

A new road was constructed that year near the loch and travellers reported more sights of the creatures than before. The infamous Surgeon’s Photo was published later that year, portraying what appeared to be a head with a long neck that stretched out of the loch water. Towards 1994, an individual who had shot the Surgeon’s Photo made a confession on his deathbed that the said photo was only a hoax.

This dashed the hopes of some people and though what was thought to be the best evidence was considered false, the other parts of evidence of the monster, seemed to be alive in the minds of many people with several stories of similar lake monsters in Lake Michigan, Iceland, Lake Champlain and various other places. Popular theory of Ness Loch monster is that it is a plesiosaur which is an aquatic dinosaur species, said to have died during the early Jurassic era while other presume it could be a giant sea serpent while still others deny its existence.

Photos/Videos – Not Adequately Convincing 

Though crude photos and videos of the Loch Ness Monster are found on television specials as well as YouTube, none of them are adequately convincing enough to consider the existence of the creature. Inspire of it, there has been several breakthroughs in the field of crypto-zoology which shows some possibility of the same.The first possibility in 1901 was the discovery of the okapi, a mammal with a giraffe like head with zebra striped legs where the animal has been portrayed in ancient Egyptian drawings which was very popular by certain tribes in Africa though it has never been seen or documented by any western explorers. The okapi is said to have occupied only a small portion in central Africa and it took a long time to locate them and the same possibility could be applicable to Nessie.

VanHeusen’s MyFit – Personalized Fit

R.R.Ashwinkumaar

VanHeusen’s MyFit – Personalized Fit – Shirts/Trousers/Suits

VanHeusen’s introduction to MyFit is one of the most appropriate options to choose from when it comes to personalizing your fit on shirts, trousers or suits. In this fast track world of today where time seems to be the main criteria amidst one’s busy schedule, individuals may not have the time to indulge in a shopping expedition. It could also be a disappointment if an outfit is needed for an important occasion with no time for the purchase of the same.

In moments like these, the option of online shopping comes to the rescue of individuals in need of apparel who may have no time to purchase one from a local store. The chances of getting one from the tailor at short notice could also be a doubtful option since it would involve a physical presence which would not be possible due to the constraint of time.

Fastest & Largest Company on Branded Apparels

Well-designed shirts, trousers andsuits are made readily available at online portals for the conveniences of the consumers. Shopping online is an amazing experience and hats off these providers who have brought about this change making the process of online shopping an enjoyable experience minus the stress of venturing out.

The service provider being one of India’s fastest and the largest company on branded apparels, a lifestyle partner in the retail sector, has the potential of providing consumers with the most prestigious global fashion wear together with accessories. On acquiring leadership with its own brands, it has now extended towards premier international labels forming a niche in the international market.

Affordable/High End Style

Consumers have the liberty to a range of brand products which vary from affordable and mass market to sophisticated, high end style, that are available for every age group which includes children youth, men as well as women. Their collections of fits include Winter Wardrobe, Classic White, Linen Story, Monochrome, Special occasion shirts, Men in prints, Denim on denim, Air and Van Heusen Men Lifestyle Clothing.

Consumers could check for details with regards to their choice, size, colour and budget prior to their indulgences on purchase. Another added advantage is by way of opting for the sale products displayed which are real money savers on branded products available at one’s fingertips. Availability on varieties of options awaits the customers intending to indulge in some of their favourite brands on apparels.

The Collective – Blend of Global Fashions 

Besides Van Heusen, their brands comprise of Allen Solly, Peter England, Louis Philippe, Pantaloons, to mention a few. Being a part of Aditya Birla Group comprising of over 60,000 team supporters on board, this company has reached out to over 100 million customers. `The Collective’, which is the company’s lifestyle store, caters to a blend of global fashions together with international trends mingled with innovative customer service in the cities of Bangalore, Delhi Mumbai and Pune.

Great choices, amazing options, various brands, awesome collections, tempting offers, perfect fit and the latest trend, are made available for the benefit of their valuable customers with ease and support. Consumers could make their choice and enjoy the comfort of these fit which are tailor made with the customer in mind for comfortable attire for any given occasion.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Great Zimbabwe Ruins – Largest Collections of Ruins in Africa

The Great Zimbabwe ruins are the largest collection of ruins in Africa towards the south of the Sahara. Situated in the heart of southern Africa between Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers these amazing ruinsare testament to a culture of excellent wealth and great architectural skill. During the country’s late Iron Age, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe.

The construction on the monument began during the 11th century by ancestors of the Shona people which continued till the 15th century covering an area of 722 hectares which could have housed around 18,000 people. It is now recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. As per UNESCO, the method of construction used in Great Zimbabwe was unique in the continent’s architecture and though there are cases of identical work elsewhere, none seem to be exceptions and imposing as these ruins.

Attention is drawn at first sight at the high level of craftsmanship which was used in the construction of the site where skilful stonemasons had built massive dry stone wall and incorporated large natural boulders in some of the structures. Walls were extended between the rocky outcrops as well as massive rocks formed a maze of narrow passageways and enclosures.

Three Architectural Zones – Hill Complex/Valley Ruins/Great Enclosure

The site is divided into three main architectural zones and the Hill Complex is considered as a royal site while the Valley Ruins are series of living space. The Great Enclosure is the most impressive and a spectacular circular monument which has been made of cut granite blocks that was built entirely in curves.

 The outer wall extends to some 250 meters having a maximum height of 11 meters making it the largest single pre-colonial structure in Africa, south of Sahara. Great Zimbabwe served as a royal palace and would have been considered as the seat of political power for the Zimbabwe monarch. Its most appealing features were the walls, some of which were over five metres high and were constructed without the use of mortar. The city was eventually abandoned and fell into ruins.

Important Artefacts Recovered

Great Zimbabwe was home to cattle herding locals who were also well skilled in metal work. The ruins are the largest of its kind on Zimbabwe Plateau.Other miniature site had been ruined by European treasure hunters during the 19th century and these smaller ruins are known as zimbabwes which are found as far as Mozambique while the largest of them all are the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. Religious life was rich in Great Zimbabwe and trade kept the community prosperous.

Important artifacts recovered from the monument are 8 Zimbabwe birds which have been carved from a micaceous schist or soapstone on the tops of monoliths, the height of a person. In the Eastern Enclosure of the Hill Complex are slots in a platform which appear to be designed to hold the monoliths with the Zimbabwe birds and though they were not traced, it is not clear about the monolith and birds. Besides these, other artifacts include soapstone figurine, pottery, iron gongs, elaborately worked ivory, iron and copper wire, iron hoes, copper ingots and crucibles, bronze spearheads, gold beads, bracelets, pendants and sheaths.

Micronations: Grand Duchy of Westarctica

Micronation - The Grand Duchy of Westarctica

The Grand Duchy of Westarctica is a micronation which has been created by American Travis McHenry that claims Marie Byrd Land. It was created on 2, November 2001 when McHenry had announced his intention in taking personal possession of the section of the Antarctic continent of Marie Byrd Land, by writing to the governments of various countries like Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, Norway, Russia, New Zealand, United State and the United Kingdom.

Westarctica is a section of desolate land in western Antarctica which lay unclaimed till an American declared the same as his own micronation, a declaration of status which was not recognized in 2001 by established countries. It was founded on supposed loopholes in the Antarctic Treaty and the claim of micronation status was used as a basis to mint as well as sell coins to collectors and inspite of several attempts, Westarctica is not recognized by the government of any country.

Initially, McHenry named his micronation, the Achaean Territory of Antarctica before adopting the Westarctican grand duchy configuration in June 10 2004. He also extended its territorial pretensions to cover the sub-Antarctic Baleny Island groups that same year together with Peter I Island.

Major Part of Westartican Territory – Marie Byrd Land 

The major part of Westarctican territory comprised of Marie Byrd Land which was the original territory claimed and was defined as all land south of 60 degree south and between 90 degree west and 150 degree west.

This is in the centre of the claim of Chile as well as the claim of New Zealand and the original capital was known as Achilles. Later, the Baleny Islands claimed by New Zealand and Peter I Island claimed by Norway were annexed whereby Peter I Island was declared the new capital of Westarctica.

The executives of Westarctica entered into negotiations with members of the Antarctic Micronational Union in June 2010 with regards to claims to Antarctica and as of June 7, these negotiations remained cordial with all parties being optimistic concerning peaceful and mutually beneficial result. Besides, instituting a constitution in establishing the Grand Duchy as a `Protestant Christian nation’ announced on Westarctica’s website that a `relocation project’, regarding the construction of new cities, started in 2003 with selling of several Westartican peerages on eBay, not much substance followed.

Coins – Wooden Nickel/Metal & Stamps

McHenry terminated his association with Westarctica on 10 June 2006 and named Philip Karns as his successor, though several months later; Karns too abandoned the micronation, disappearing without naming a successor, taking the Westarctica website with him.

It was on 30 June 2008, that a member of Westarctica, Jon Lawrence Langer, who resided in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, announced the micronation’s revival with the establishment of a new website together with his assumption of the position of Grand Duke Langer’s website updated in 2009. Travis McHenry once again proclaimed himself to be the paramount leader of Westarctica on June 3, 2010 which was reinvented as Protectorate of Westarctica, complete with new flag and Antarctic territorial pretensions with more limited extent.

Westerartica produced many coins in the form of wooden nickel as well as metal and have also made stamps. Westarctica has been featured in Micrnations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home Made Nation in 2006.

Solway Spaceman

The Solway Firth Spacemen – Relates to Figure seen in Photograph (1964) 

The Solway Firth Spaceman also known as the Solway Spaceman or the Cumberland Spaceman is related to a figure which is seen in a photograph taken in the year 1964 by photographer, fireman and local historian – Jim Templeton -13 February 1920 to 27 November 2011.

This photo was taken on Burgh Marsh located near Burgh by Sands which overlooked the Solway Firth in Cumbria, England and was claimed by Templeton that the photograph showed a figure in the background wearing a space suit, insisting that he did not see anyone at the time the photograph was taken. The photo was reproduced in all contemporary newspaper drawing the attention of several ufologist and a contemporary analysis indicated that the figure could probably be the photographer’s wife who was seen standing with her back to the camera where her attire seems to appear white due to the over-exposure. Templeton being a keen amateur photographer had carried his Kodak SLR and had taken three photos along with others of his daughter in quick succession of her sitting on the ground.

He had taken the film to his local chemist for the purpose of development and on returning a few days thereafter to collect it, the remark of the chemist stating that it was a shame regarding the figure wearing what seems to be a spacesuit spoiling a good photo, made him aware of the image in the background.

Strange Space Suited Image 

The photo portrayed a strange space suited image instead of a UFO and seems to be one of the most puzzling image ever shot and though the photo is often claimed to be a hoax, the circumstance which surround it are frequently used to justify the presence of the shadowy, MIB like government agents.

The photograph was soon seen on the front page of the local newspaper and soon Templeton and his daughter became the focus of attention and media celebrities as the images became popular all around the world though the price of this involuntary fame and attention was very high.

His daughter was bullied and taunted and he had to take her out of school for some time since she was suffering from nerves. Later in summer after the photograph had been published, it was said that Templeton was visited at the Fire Station by two men who claimed to be from the government and who refused to show their identity.

Men in Black – Identified by Numbers 

The men were dressed in complete black and drove a brand new black Jaguar car, an unusual one and transport of the time and asked to be taken to the site where the photograph had been taken. Templeton on asking for their identity was showed a card bearing an official crest with the word `security’ and were told that they were from the Ministry and that there was no need to know who they were. He was informed that they were only identified by number.

He noticed that the pair referred to each other as `nine’ and `eleven’. On taking these men to the site where the photograph was taken, Templeton states that when he explained that he had not seen the figure at that time, the men seemed to be angry and drove away leaving him to walk home alone. Templeton dismissed the presence of these men as frauds in September 1964.

Taman Shud

Tamun Shud – Unsolved Case

The Taman Shud is the Mystery of the Somerton Man which remains an unsolved case of an unidentified man who was found dead at 6.30 am on December 1, 1948, on Somerton beach in Adelaide, South Australia. A scrap of the final page of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was found in the hidden pocket of the dead man’s trousers and was named after a phrase, taman shud which means `ending or finished in Persian.

This case has been the subject of great speculation for several years with regards to the identity of the person, the events which led to the cause of his death. He seemed to be wearing a sweater and coat inspite of the hot weather with no identification to prove his identity. There were no clues to his identity and dental records and his fingerprints did not match with any living person.

An autopsy indicated bizarre congestion blood in the stomach with enlarged organs though no foreign substances were found. A suitcase which was found at the railway station could have belonged to the man, which had a pair of trousers with a secret hidden pocket that had a piece of paper torn from a book with the print `Taman Shud’ that matched to a rare copy of Omar Khayyam’s book `The Rybaiyat found in the backseat of an unlocked vehicle. On the back of the book were five lines of capital letters which seem to be a code while the front had a phone number and the entire case, till date, remains to be one of Australia most amazing mysteries.

Intriguing Mystery 

The phone number had belonged to a former nurse who had been married and had a toddler, who requested that she be spared of any embarrassment of being connected with the murder and of any disclosure of her name to which the police agreed.

She revealed that four years earlier, she had given the book to a man by the name Albert Boxall and the police were of the belief that the man could be Boxall but later found out the real Mr, Boxall was alive and well but also provided them with a copy of the book given to him by the nurse.

The body when found had been lying on the sand with its head resting on the seawall, his feet crossed and pointing directly to the sea. The police noticed no disturbance to the body and also noted that the man’s left arm was in a straight position while the right arm was bent double. An unlit cigarette was found behind his ear with a half smoked cigarette on the right collar of his coat which was held in position with his cheek.

Identity a Mystery 

His pocket had an unused second class rail ticket from the city to Henley Beach, a used bus ticket from the city, a narrow aluminium American comb, a half empty packet of Juicy Fruit chewing gum, a quarter full box of Bryant & May matches and an Army Club cigarette packet with Kensitas cigarettes.

The bus stop from where the ticket was used was about 1,100 meters north of the location of the body and the man seemed to have no money in his pockets. Till date, the identity of the mysterious man remains unknown as well as the meaning of the cipher found on the back of the book. His death is also not known and researchers are still speculating on the case with many attempts made to solve it.

Mothman

Mothman – Strangest Creature in Pleasant Area of West Virginia 

Mothman is said to be a strange creature probably the strangest creatures ever to grace the annals of weirdness in America. It is considered to be a moth like creature seen in the Point Pleasant area of West Virginia and the weird event began from November 15, 1966 to December 15, 1967 and its first report was published in the Point Pleasant Register on November 16, 1966, titled `Couples See Man-Sized Bird Creature – Something’.

The event occurred on November 12, 1966, when five men in the local cemetery were preparing a grave for the burial when some creature resembling a brown human being lifted off from some nearby trees and flew overhead. The men witnessing the scene were surprised and though it did not seemed to be a bird; it appeared like a man with wings.

Shortly thereafter two young couples from Point Pleasant, by the name Roger and Linda Scarberry and Steve and Mary Mallette informed the police that they had seen a large white creature with glowing red eyes when the car headlights picked it up. The description given by them was `it was a large flying man with ten foot wings’ which followed their car while they were travelling in an area outside the town known as `TNT area’, the site of the former World War II munitions plant.

Large Bird with Red Eyes 

Few days after that, several other also reported regarding the same sights where two firemen volunteer reported stating that it was a `large bird with red eyes. According to one Mason County Sheriff George Johnson, was of the belief that the sighting was mainly due to an unusually large heron called `shitepoke’. Johnson was informed by Contractor Newell Partridge that when a flashlight was aimed at a creature in a nearby field, its eyes glowed like bicycle reflectors and blamed the noises coming from his television that led to the disappearance of his German Shepherd dog on the creature.

Wildlife biologist Dr Robert L. Smith at West Virginia University informed reporters that the sightings as well as the descriptions fitted the sandhill crane, which is a large American crane that is almost as high as a man with seven foot wingspan featuring circles of reddish colouring surrounding the eyes and that the bird could have wandered out of its migration space.

Mothman – An Alien 

Jerome Clark, ufologist reports that several years after the initial events, members of the Ohio UFO Investigators League interviewed the people once again who claimed to have seen Mothman and insisted their stories to be true.

Linda Scarberry claimed that she together with her husband had seen Mothman hundreds of times and sometimes at close range stating that `it seems like it does not want to hurt anyone but wants to communicate to you’. Some Ufologist, paranormal authors together with crypto zoologist are of the belief that Mothman seemed to be an alien, a kind of a supernatural manifestation or an unknown cryptid.

Author John Keel in his 1975 book – The Mothman Prophecies, narrates that the Point Pleasant locals experienced precognition which included premonitions of the collapse of the Silver Bridge, unidentified flying object sightings, visits from inhuman or threatening men in black with other bizarre phenomena. Mothman was seen a month prior to the destruction of the Twin Towers and 6 hours before the 1-35W bridge had collapsed. Keel, however is criticized for distorting established data and for cheating.

Linear A

Linear A – Un-deciphered Writing System

Linear A is what archaeologist has called the un-deciphered writing systems or script used in ancient Greece. It is one of the two scripts used at the time of the Proto-palatial period and Linear A was used in the central southern region – Mesara of Crete, while Cretan hieroglyphic was used on the northern and north-eastern region of Crete. Some consider these as simultaneous scripts while others see Cretan hieroglyphics as being developed earlier.

Linear A was the primary script which was used in palace and religious writing of the Minoan civilization.It was discovered by Sir Arthur Evans, an archaeologist, which is an origin script of the Linear B script and later used by the Mycenaean civilization. Linear B was deciphered in 1960 and was found to encode an early form of Greek and though the two systems have several similar symbols, it did not lead to any subsequent decipherment of Linear A. With the values connected with Linear B in Linear A, it produced unintelligent words and if the same or similar syllabic value as Linear B is used then its underlying languages seemed unrelated to any language known which has been dubbed the Minoan language.

Europe’s First Known Syllabary 

Linear A, invented in around 1800 BC, is Europe’s first known syllabary, a writing system which used different symbols, representing syllables instead of pictograms to convey complete ideas. It comprised of around 100 various symbols and was probably used for administrative functions besides religion. The scripts were found on a broad range of items which included inscriptions on metal, stone, ceramic vessels, stamp seals and roundels which were used by Cretan administrative people and as part of inscriptions, were painted and carved on tombs and altars.

A study in the possible signs in Linear A which could represent the spice saffron was reported in 2011 in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology, where archaeologist Jo Day indicates that though Linear A is yet to be deciphered, there seems to be recognized ideograms in Linear A which are similar to the Linear B ideograms specially for agricultural commodities like figs, olives, wine, humans and certain livestock. Linear B form for saffron is known as CROC, the Latin name for saffron is Crocus sativus.

Disappearance – Outcome of Invading Mycenaean

At the time of cracking the Linear A code, Evans thought he saw some similarities to CROC though did not report any specifics and none are listed in any of the other previous attempts made by Olivier and Godart or Palmer, to decipher Linear A. Jo Day is of the opinion that a plausible candidate for Linear A version of CROC could be a sign with four variants namely A508, A509, A510 and A511, found primarily at Ayia Triadha, some examples of Khania and the Villa at Knossos and others, which are dated to the late Minoan IB era.

Towards 1450 BC, Linear A disappeared and was replaced by language, Linear B which has been deciphered and found to be a form of archaic Greek. Scholars are debating about the origins, possible language and disappearance of Linear A. Some state that the disappearance was the outcome of invading Mycenaean who were responsible in destroying the Cretan culture while others like John Bennett consider the Linear A script was retooled to include more signs to record a new language.

Chinese Gold Bar Cipher

Chinese Gold Bar Cipher – Mysteries Unsolved

Codes and ciphers have been used by the people of ancient times and the Chinese Gold Bar Cipher is one of those mysteries which still remain unsolved. The operation of a cipher is based on a piece of information known as a key or a crypto-variable wherein the encrypting process varies depending on the key that could change the detailed operation of the algorithm.

The key should be selected with the help of a cipher to encrypt a certain message without which it could be a difficult or even an impossible task to decrypt the result of the cipher-text into readable plaintext. In cryptography, a cipher is an algorithm in the performance of encryption or decryption which is a series of well-defined steps followed as a procedure.

In 1933, General Wang of Shanghai, China had received seven gold bars wherein the designs resembled metal certificates which related to bank deposit with a U.S. Bank. The gold bars seems to have pictures, Chinese writing, some of which had a form of script writing as well as cryptogram in Latin letters and the difference was the mysterious pictures and writings that were found on the bars which were engraved on them.

Portrays a Transaction 

With a total of 1.8 kilograms, the Chinese writing is presumed to portray a transaction of over $300,000,000 which is not yet solved till date. The reason for presenting General Wang with such a type of an elaborate gift from a secret admirer would have been a lot easier to determine if the script on the gold bar was solved.

There seems to be a dispute with regards to the validity of the claim for the deposit and the same could be resolved if someone could decipher the cryptograms on the gold bars. Large images of the said bars could be viewed at IACR.org.

The encryptions seem to incorporate multiple languages, probably Chinese and English and in this particular case, one needs to be a part historian and part computer scientist. Chinese seems to love numerologyand it is a fact that there are 7 bars weighing 1.8 kg that were delivered to Wang in 1933.

Chinese Numerology 

The number `7’ symbolizes – togetherness and is a lucky number for relationships. Moreover it is also recognized to be the lucky number in the West and is also one of the rare numbers which is great in Western as well as Chinese cultures. It seems to be a lucky number since it sounds like the Chinese character `Pinvin: q’ which means arise. According to Chinese tradition, taking the number 18 into consideration, the number 18 is - `shi ba’, though it can be read as `yao ba’ which sounds ` yao fa’, which means that one is on the way to prosper and building floors of number `18’, are very expensive in China. The Chines Gold Bar cipher is yet to be unravelled and probably with more research and studies,perhaps we could get to know on the scripts and images portrayed on the gold bars.

Chaocipher

The Chaocipher – A Devious Cipher System

The Chaocipher is a devious cipher system which was invented by John F. Byrne in 1918. Byrne was born in Ireland and was a close friend of the famed authorJames Joyce and an unlikely candidate for devising a strong cryptosystem. The Chaocipher is a machine cipher which was not defeated for ninety years till the family of the inventor made the author’s paper known, describing the algorithm for his simple two disk machine.

It was alleged to be so complex that no one could understand his challenged cipher text yet was so simple that its mechanism claimed to comprise of only two rotating disks which were small enough to be accommodated in a cigar box. This could be operated by a ten year old, probably a diligent, determined and a well-practised one to encipher and decipher texts. `Chaocipher’, is the name which was given by Byrne to a cipher system invented by him and from its inventions to his death, he persistently tried to draw the interest of governments as well as organization to use his system. More can be available from National cryptologic museum .

Failed to be Taken Seriously

His system, unfortunately failed to be taken seriously by those whom he approached which was due to Byrne’s refusal in providing William F. Friedman with the standard number and type of challenge messages that were requested from each cipher inventor that approached the US military organizations. Byrne published his autobiographical `Silent Years’, in 1953 wherein the book contained much on his memories of James Joyce, though the purpose of writing the book was to publicize Chaocipher to the world. The twenty first chapters in `Silent Year’s comprises of plenty of plain texts with corresponding cipher-text, more than normally expected. Besides this, there are a few enciphered lines with no plain-text provided and Byrne has challenged the world at large to decipher these lines.

Interesting for Several Reasons 

The cipher was interesting for several reasons, the first being that Byrne published four texts with their cipher equivalents, which amounted to a total over 10,000 letters challenging the world to evaluate the workings of his machine with no success and the amateur cryptanalysts got nowhere to any solution. Secondly, the algorithm had been made public and the keys for only two of the four texts have been recovered. The keys that were used for the other two remains a challenge yet to be solved.

The third point of interest is that Byrne in 1920 had worked with a profession draughtsman, producing a design for a fully mechanised enciphering machine with a keyboard which was never built due to its high cost though the original drawings are available and not the description of the machine. The working of the machine still remains a mystery.

The last interesting fact is that the professional cryptanalysts rejected Chaocipher as of no importance and did not express their reasons in public. One such notable critic was William F. Friedman, the leading US cryptanalyst of the 30s and 40s though some current opinion consider the algorithm of Chaocipher as a clever idea to provide strong, reliable and unbreakable cipher when implemented on a computer. The same has not been solved till date and continues to be one of the premier unsolved ciphers providing a challenge to the present generation.