The acronym 2‑4‑14 is one of several numeric ciphers that members of the Black Disciples (also known as the Black Disciples Nation, or BDN) use to identify themselves discreetly. Because B, D, and N sit at positions 2, 4, and 14 in the English alphabet, writing “2‑4‑14” (or the shorter “2‑4”) is a coded way to spell “BDN.” The same logic drives the simpler “BD,” often rendered just as “2‑4.”
Mnemonic Breakdown
- B = 2 – second letter of the alphabet
- D = 4 – fourth letter
- N = 14 – fourteenth letter
By stringing those numeric placeholders together, members can reference the organization without writing its full name.
Other Numerical Signatures
While 2‑4‑14 is the best‑known cipher, the Black Disciples—and Chicago street gangs in general—have employed a variety of number codes:
- 214 – drops the hyphens for a more compact graffiti tag.
- 74 – shorthand for the allied Gangster Disciples (“G = 7, D = 4”); sometimes appears next to BD markings in pre‑split neighborhood murals dating to the old Black Gangster Disciple Nation era.
- 25‑4‑19 – occasionally used by younger members to spell B‑D‑S, referencing “Black Disciples Set.”
Historical Context and Usage
During the late 1960s and early 1970s—when police crackdowns on gang graffiti intensified—numeric symbolism became a practical tool for evading unwanted attention. Today, these numbers still surface:
- In graffiti and tattoos, often accompanied by pitchfork imagery (the BD “trident”) or a six‑pointed star inherited from the organization’s earlier alliance with the Folk Nation.
- In social‑media usernames and hashtags, where openly displaying gang letters might trigger automated moderation.
- On hand signs, where members flash two fingers, then four, then a closed fist mimicking 1‑4.
Why Numbers Persist
- Discretion – Numbers are less obvious to outsiders and law‑enforcement databases trained on alphabetic acronyms.
- Group Identity – Shared codes reinforce belonging, especially across generations and geographic splits.
- Cultural Continuity – Even after leadership changes and neighborhood migrations, numeric shorthand helps maintain a lineage back to the original Black Disciples of the South Side.
Understanding these ciphers offers insight into how Chicago street organizations preserve history, loyalty, and secrecy through a simple but enduring code.