Templars Cipher

The Templar cipher is a monoalphabetic substitution cipher often, and probably incorrectly, associated with the Knights Templar (no reliable medieval source proves that the Templar Order used this system).

It is a variant of the Pigpen cipher, widely used from the 18th century onward, particularly in Masonic circles.

The system is based on 25 geometric symbols constructed from a grid and crosses, sometimes interpreted as fragments of a cross pattée (often interpreted as the Maltese Cross).

Encoding with the Templar cipher involves replacing each letter of the message with the corresponding geometric symbol in the Templar alphabet:

A		B		C		D		E
F		G		H		I		K
L		M		N		O		P
Q		R		S		T		U
V		W		X		Y		Z
dCode.fr

The letter J is omitted. By convention, replace J with I.

Some sources describe the alphabet with the letters L and K reversed or sometimes E and H swapped (see below). dCode displays the original alphabet (1) and the alternative alphabet (2).

The numbers 0–9 are generally not encoded.

The deciphering consists of replacing each symbol of the Templar alphabet with the corresponding letter.

A Templar message is composed of geometric symbols made of straight lines forming angles or triangles, sometimes accompanied by a dot.

The message contains a maximum of 25 distinct symbols.

The alphabets of the Pigpen cipher or the Rosicrucian cipher are very similar.

Any reference to the Knights Templar chivalry, to the crusades or Solomon's Militia (with their reputation for assassination) are clues.

In the medieval Latin alphabet, the letter J was not considered distinct from I. The J gradually appeared during the Renaissance as a graphic variant of the consonantal I. This distinction became widespread from the 16th century onwards.

Several writings refer to the Templar alphabet, the main one is The Knights Templars by A. Bothwell-Gosse. Pages 89 and 90 the letter K points to the left and the letter L upwards. The letter E points to the right, and H points downwards.

Another source is Histoire des Sectes Religieuses by H. Grégoire (1828). Volume II, page 428, the letter K points to the left and the letter L to the top. The letter E points to the right, and H points downwards.

However, no authenticated medieval manuscript exists that confirms a canonical version. The observed inversions are probably due to recopying, typographical errors, or later reconstructions.

The alternative alphabet (2) is often used by some websites but also by scouts because it is easier to memorize (the order of the letters corresponds to the clockwise direction around the cross).

No medieval source allows us to attribute this cipher to the Knights Templar.

The form known today most likely corresponds to a variant of the Pigpen cipher, attested in the 18th century.

The name Templar cipher therefore stems from a late tradition and an esoteric imagination.

Documented evidence of the Pigpen cipher appears in the 18th century. The association with the Templars is a later development.