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Re: VMs: A Possible Interpretation of the Four Figures, one with an Egg



Hi Eric,

At 16:10 11/09/2004 -0700, Eric wrote:
If it is (B), then, it leaves out Steganography, which
by nature would go for (A) but then trick you. You are
sure you know what it is and you have no suspicions
otherwise, but... you're wrong :).

But... it basically looks like a herbal written in a simple substitution cipher, right? So the answer's actually (A), right?


However... not completely... maybe, in using the
zodiacs for cover, there was no way the author could
completely conceal their real message so that the
reader wouldn't think to themselves, "It's a zodiac...
but kind of a strange one. Hmmm." It was just the best
they could do.

The zodiac diagrams (end Quire 10 to end Quire 12) are quite different from the cosmological / astronomical circular diagrams (Quire 9 to mid-end Quire 10), which are quite different again from the later "magic-circle-like" diagrams we're particularly discussing.


BTW, one fascinating aspect of the zodiac diagrams (Pisces - Sag) is that, like the main Roman agricultural calendar, it starts in February and has ten months followed by winter (of an unspecified duration). Or the last two signs were removed by Baresch for Kircher. Who knows? :-p

They used Steganography, but they were no Trithemius.

Right - it's much cleverer than Trithemius' codes, isn't it? :-)


Which then leaves the writing itself. Writing like
that screams out that it is encrypted or a secret
language. The exact opposite of Steganography. Unless,
that's what the author wanted you to think ;-)

No, I think you're missing the point there: Voynichese was designed to look like a simple substitution cipher, while actually being something far more industrial strength, which is why many people think at first they should be able to crack it with ease - suckers! :-o


Now *that's* what I call misdirection. :-)

Cheers, .....Nick Pelling.....


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