Labyrinth or Maze. What's the difference between a labyrinth and a maze? And what does religion/spirituality
have to do with it?
The Labyrinth is a physical representation of a true pathway. The Maze is similar but has misleading and dead-end pathways. The difference between labyrinths and mazes can be a wonderful and instructional experience of life itself.
The terms are often used interchangeably but there is a major difference. In the English-speaking world it is often considered that to qualify as a maze a design must have choices in the pathway. This multi-cursal category includes many modern installations in parks and tourist attractions, which exist solely for the purpose of perplexing visitors. The maze is designed to confuse. Humans may choose not to nurture beliefs about confusion.
Labyrinths on the other hand, have only one pathway that leads from the entrance to the center. There are many complex and curving designs for labyrinths, but they have only one path. These uni-cursal designs have been known as labyrinths for thousands of years. A classical labyrinth pattern consists of a single “circular-shaped” pathway that loops back and forth to form seven or more circuits surrounding the central goal.
The Medieval Labyrinth pattern was first developed in Europe during the ninth century. This form has been widely used in manuscripts and in decorations on church walls and floors in Italy. By the early thirteenth century it had spread to France and soon became a principal form throughout southern and western Europe. The famous use of a labyrinth pattern at Chartres Cathedral in France has led many writers to term this design the “Chartres” labyrinth.
A maze commonly presents many opportunities to become miss-directed or lost however in a labyrinth there is only one way. Considering the meta-physical idea of a maze as compared with that of a labyrinth, one can see that they could represent different ways to live. A person is never lost in a labyrinth—they are just somewhere along their life path. Therefore, the labyrinth is a metaphor for life—all necessary guidance is provided and is available. The spiritual lesson is... (just as in real life), it is impossible to become lost.
The “Human in the Maize-Maze” (a labyrinthine pattern) is found in the artistry of the American Southwest, especially on the basketry, jewelry and other craftwork produced by various Native American tribes mainly in the states of Arizona and New Mexico. First developed around 1915, it remains popular and has become a symbol of tribal identity for several communities.
There is a large and beautiful Chartres-type labyrinth at Unity Village. It is primarily intended to be a walk-able prayer/meditation venue. There are several labyrinths in Charlotte. Visit labyrinthos.net for more information about many different, interesting labyrinth designs.
01/12/25