Overview: This lays out step by step how K1-K2 and the Cyrillic Projector were solved with Quagmire III not Double Vigenère. This is an incredibly common point of misinformation and it is very important to recognize the differences. You can find more information about the corrected Kryptos solutions here.
Why is Kryptos K1-K2 Actually Quagmire III (and not Double Vigenère)?
1. Understanding the difference clearly:
- Double Vigenère uses two keys in a straightforward, sequential manner. You decrypt the ciphertext with one key first, and then decrypt that result again using a second key. Each stage is independent, simple, and linear.
- Quagmire III uses two keys differently:
- One key (Alphabet Key) rearranges your entire alphabet.
- The other key (Running Key) is used repeatedly to select different “rows” of the rearranged alphabet for every single letter. It makes the cipher dynamic—each letter can have a unique shifting logic.
2. Why the confusion?
The confusion comes from the fact that both ciphers use two keys. The initial documents and commonly cited solutions mistakenly described the Kryptos solution as “Double Vigenère” because it seemed logical (two keys, two decryptions). But here’s the key detail they missed:
- Double Vigenère would produce nonsense from the Kryptos K1 and K2 ciphertext.
- Quagmire III, with its dynamic row selection and keyed alphabet, correctly produces the known, meaningful plaintext solution.
3. Mathematical and Historical Context:
- The creator of Kryptos (Jim Sanborn) and cryptographer Ed Scheidt explicitly designed complexity into Kryptos by using uncommon cipher techniques. Quagmire III, being less common than Vigenère, adds precisely the complexity and nuance they intended.
- Mathematically, the shifting logic in Quagmire III provides exactly the dynamic, varying encryption intended by the puzzle designers—making it significantly more secure and interesting than simple double Vigenère.
4. Outputs Using Double Vigenère [Pure garbage]
- K1: FVLIKEPXIOWEZUWXTROEWAPHRZARDYIUUUPRLVJPNDDVLHABHBPLYPTFIDBVERA
- K2: QHJAZXDPXJLCWNHKUKLYZTSSUFOHQAKPL… (random, nonsensical text)
In short:
- Double Vigenère simply doesn’t yield meaningful results.
- Quagmire III matches perfectly the officially confirmed plaintext solution and aligns with historical intent and complexity of the Kryptos sculpture.
Thus, Kryptos K1-K2 is undeniably solved using Quagmire III, not Double Vigenère.
Important Note:
In theory it is possible for a Quagmire III and Double Vigenère to produce the same output. The specific here is the words ‘in theory’ I have not found a proper example of this being done yet.