A wavelet domain watermark encoder and decoder embed and detect auxiliary signals in a media signal, such as a still image, video or audio signal. A watermark orientation signal is embedded in a wavelet decomposed signal to facilitate detection of the watermark in a geometrically distorted version of the embedded signal. In some configurations, the watermark signal forms a pattern in a transform domain used to perform synchronization of the watermark. The pattern has attributes used to determine orientation of the watermark in a geometrically distorted version of the media signal. The attributes carry two or more auxiliary message symbols in the watermark, and the attributes both carry the two or more auxiliary message symbols and form the pattern used to perform synchronization of the watermark.