Shadoks Numbers
Convert between decimal and Shadoks base-4 numbering system (GA, BU, ZO, MEU).
Shadoks Digits
Reference Table (0-20)
How Shadoks Counting Works
- • It's base-4 (quaternary) with words instead of digits
- • GA=0, BU=1, ZO=2, MEU=3
- • After MEU (3), the next number is BU GA (4)
- • BU BU = 5, BU ZO = 6, BU MEU = 7, ZO GA = 8...
- • Example: ZO MEU BU = 2×16 + 3×4 + 1 = 45
About the Shadoks
The Shadoks are characters from a French animated series created in 1968. They're bird-like creatures famous for their absurd logic and their unique counting system with only four words: "GA BU ZO MEU". The show mocked bureaucracy and featured the Shadoks' endless, pointless labors.
Puzzle Tips
- • Common in French geocaching puzzles
- • Look for the four words or circular symbols
- • The symbols represent fill levels: empty→quarter→half→full
- • May be hidden as "instructions" or "nonsense words"
What are Shadoks Numbers?
Shadoks numbers are a base-4 (quaternary) counting system from the French animated series "Les Shadoks" (1968). The system uses four nonsense words: GA, BU, ZO, and MEU, representing 0, 1, 2, and 3.
The System
The Four Digits
- GA (○): Zero - empty circle
- BU (◐): One - quarter filled
- ZO (◑): Two - half filled
- MEU (●): Three - full circle
Counting Example
0=GA, 1=BU, 2=ZO, 3=MEU, 4=BU GA, 5=BU BU, 6=BU ZO, 7=BU MEU, 8=ZO GA, 9=ZO BU, 10=ZO ZO...
Conversion Method
Shadoks to Decimal
Treat each word as a base-4 digit and calculate positionally: ZO MEU BU = 2×4² + 3×4¹ + 1×4⁰ = 32 + 12 + 1 = 45
Decimal to Shadoks
Repeatedly divide by 4 and convert remainders: 45 ÷ 4 = 11 r1 (BU), 11 ÷ 4 = 2 r3 (MEU), 2 ÷ 4 = 0 r2 (ZO) Result: ZO MEU BU
The Shadoks TV Show
"Les Shadoks" was a groundbreaking French animated series featuring absurdist humor and social satire. The bird-like Shadoks were famous for:
- Their motto: "Why do it simply when you can do it complicated?"
- Endless, futile tasks like pumping the void
- Their rivalry with the Gibis
In Geocaching
Shadoks numbers appear in puzzles, especially in France:
- Word sequences: Look for GA, BU, ZO, MEU patterns
- Circle symbols: Fill levels indicate digits
- Absurdist themes: Puzzles with nonsense instructions
- French culture: Part of French pop culture heritage
Related Systems
- Base 4: Standard quaternary notation.
- Binary: Base-2 with just 0 and 1.
- Mayan Numbers: Another alternative numeral system.