 | An image should appear at this position in the text. To use the entire page scan as a placeholder, edit this page and replace "{{missing image}}" with "{{raw image|Cyclopedia of Puzzles by Samuel Loyd.pdf/48}}". Otherwise, if you are able to provide the image then please do so. For guidance, see Wikisource:Image guidelines and Help:Adding images. |  |
Proposition: Divide the Greek Cross into three pieces which will fit together and form a rectangular oblong.
To illustrate the principle of work- ing a puzzle backward, according to the axiom that a good rule should work both ways, we introduce a sea- sonable problem wherein the object is to discover how to divide a cross into three pieces which can be fitted together so as to form a rectangle which is twice as long as it is wide. This, of course, is merely reversing the proposition of converting a rec= tangle or square into the form of a Greek cross, but, in that it presents the angles which must be fitted to- gether, is not so difficult as the other proposition.
The Swastica Sign
| An image should appear at this position in the text. To use the entire page scan as a placeholder, edit this page and replace "{{missing image}}" with "{{raw image|Cyclopedia of Puzzles by Samuel Loyd.pdf/48}}". Otherwise, if you are able to provide the image then please do so. For guidance, see Wikisource:Image guidelines and Help:Adding images. | |
Cut into five pieces which will form a square.
Here we have the ancient Swastica symbol, which, as set forth by Prof. Wilson of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, in a great work with some five hundred illustrations from the Aztec mounds of Mexico, the pyramids of Egypt, the ruins of Troy and of Chinese and Indian lore, was one of the oldest signs of the human race to be traced through prehistoric ages.
It is the sign of "luck to you," after the manner of the modern horseshoe, and is found on ancient temples, ruins and monuments in a way that leaves no room for doubt as to its correct interpretation, al- though the same can be traced for three thousand years as the Hammer of Thor, known in Masonry as the Master's mallet, emblematical of power and decision. Again we find it described in musty old manuscripts as the fylfot, or four-footed, where it is shown as four legs branching out from the center. It is only a varia- tion of the Monad sign, and in this form is known in China as "wan." meaning many long years to you. Prof. Max Miller says the sign is found in ancient ruins and in exca- vations in every part of the globe, Cut into five pieces which will and must have been universally rec- form a square. ognized. Is it a mere coincidence, or is it the discovery of a mystic secro, that we find when we take the emblem of the aquare and mark the sign of the Swastica in the center, that the four parts will form a per- fect Greek cross, and if we mark it with the domble Swastica, which was another ancient symbol, the four quarters will form two crossed Theologians might involve a startling interpretation from these mysterious transpositions.
| An image should appear at this position in the text. To use the entire page scan as a placeholder, edit this page and replace "{{missing image}}" with "{{raw image|Cyclopedia of Puzzles by Samuel Loyd.pdf/48}}". Otherwise, if you are able to provide the image then please do so. For guidance, see Wikisource:Image guidelines and Help:Adding images. | |
"I say, Allee, I just thought of an original conundrum," said Charley, who thought he was getting on to a solid footing with Miss Lofty. "Why is the moon like a suit of clothes?" "Mr. Lightop." replied the offend- ed maiden. "I presume you claim that there is a man in both, but opinions might differ on that sub- ject." And Charley felt the sand slipping away from under his fect
46
