June 15, 2003

A Mazing Paths

Consider the power of a spiral carved on boulders and bracelets, or traced on fields and floors.

To many people for the past 3,000 years, it has been a path to inner peace, spiritual enlightenment, self-awareness or simply a soothing diversion.

Perhaps this is why the ancient symbol has persisted as an amulet and why it is undergoing a widespread revival.

In its simplest form (see illustration) the spiral is geometrical and easily traversed.

Convolute the spiral and those who gaze at it -- or walk on it - drift from distractions as they concentrate on staying in the well-marked pathway. Their minds become free for introspection.

Some physicians think the mild concentration facilitates recovery from illness - physical and mental. Many clerics of all faiths believe the pathway experience enhances spiritual closeness. Mystics feel a release of inner power.

Best of all, perhaps, is that kids like it because it is fun.  

It is difficult to fault such a simple but wonderful device - one size fits all.

In all cases, the pathway is felt to symbolize the journey through life - difficult but with redemption.

A popular interpretation of the simple spiral illustrated is that one starts on a dark path. It winds with many turns but ends in a black void. Then, one emerges from darkness into another path of light which - mercifully -- leads to the beginning. Birth, life journey, enlightenment and return to the place from whence we started.

The classical version involves only one path. It leads to a special center where there is a tree. In its shade walkers may rest and meditate before returning, refreshed, to the every-day world.

Thousands of churches, parks and institutions have built large versions of the design for pedestrian use. Catholic cathedrals in Europe. Methodist, Episcopalian and Congregational churches in the United States. Hospitals and children camps worldwide.

Walk-upon installations are often called mazes because of their similarity to the paths between tall hedgerows popular in English gardens.  

The latter are puzzles to be solved - requiring thought and decisions in isolation -- to avoid dead-ends. One is easily confused, often lost, thus making rescue necessary.

The walk-upon design is open to the real world but apart from it. One can simply walk away at any time. It is properly called a "labyrinth" or "Minotaur" recalling a well-known Greek myth.

The Cretan Myth

Theseus, a prince of Athens, Greece, is sent to Crete to be sacrificed to a half-human half-bull monster called the Minotaur. It is lives in a complex of tunnels called the Labyrinth under  the palace of Minos, king of Crete. He exacts human sacrifices from Athens.

Ariadne, daughter of King Minos, falls in love with Theseus. She gives him a sword with which to kill the Minotaur, and a spool of thread to unravel as he "threads his way" through the Labyrinth.

Theseus kills the Minotaur, escapes by following the thread, sets fire to the palace, and flees Crete with Ariadne. They didn't live happily ever after, but that's another story.

The Cretan myth appears to be a romantic explanation for the historical decline of Crete and ascendancy of Athens.

The myth was popularized by Grecian coins bearing the already ancient pathway circles carved on building stones for good luck and happiness.

It is interesting that pre-historical bronze-age labyrinth designs are found throughout the world - Crete, Greece, Italy, Spain, Egypt, India, Sumatra, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Iceland, Scandinavia and several sites in southwestern United States.

Among the Hopi native-Americans of New Mexico, the design is known as Tapuat (mother and child). The Pima tribes of Arizona weave baskets incorporating the design to represent the House of Iitoi, their ancestral founder.

During the fervent Crusades of Medieval Europe, the Pope ordered seven cathedrals then under construction to incorporate labyrinths on the floors. These were called "Paths To Jerusalem" incorporating crucifix in the designs. That at Chartres, France, is still embedded in the floor.

A labyrinth at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, is walked daily by visitors.

I became interested in the phenomena during a 1977 visit to Tintagel, Britain, legendary birthplace of King Arthur. A Cretan design known locally as the "Goddess Maze," is carved on a huge boulder (see illustration). Recently a labyrinth was laid out there for a tourist attraction.

A Renaissance of labyrinths began in the United States about 1990 and appears to be still growing. For a detailed history of labyrinths, the website labyrinths.net by Jeff Saward, editor of Caerdroia, is recommended.

Author: Lindsey Williams