Maze or Labyrinth?

The growth of interest in classical labyrinths in the 1990’s has produced a great deal of writing about the history of labyrinths and mazes in world culture. For anyone deeply interested in the subject, there can be found fascinating material from many sources but be warned that the research process can be, well, a-maz-ing. What a lot of interpretations to consider.

Most sources describe a separation in the definition of the two in medieval times, with mazes emerging as puzzles, games, tests of confusion for entertainment. They are multicursal, having many choices of path, dead ends, alleys intending to frustrate and bewilder. They evolve from the concept of a labyrinth as a trap for or protection from dragons, dangers, monsters or the darkside, either caught at the center or to be confronted at the center. Hedge mazes became extraordinarily popular in the nineteenth century and the trickery grew more and more ingenious. Examples of threat or protection abound in myths and legends worldwide. Tokyo’s center was long ago designed on a related principle; the Emperor’s palace is in the center with clusters of confusing winding streets designed in “petal” shapes around it so enemies could not easily find their way in. Feudal Japanese castle floorplans closely resemble drawings of mazes and when built, the castles themselves became three dimensional mazes to confound the enemy.

A labyrinth is described as unicursal, a single winding path leading to the center and then back out again. Walking a labyrinth frees one of fear or decision making and enables the walker to approach his own center or spirit. The journey to the center may be long, convoluted and troublesome, but the intent is that it be profoundly rewarding. During the crusades, people remaining at home in Great Britain would walk labyrinths to emulate the experiences of the knights traveling to other lands. Climbing a mountain to its peak is a cherished way of pilgrimage in Japan. Climbing a sacred mountain offers a profound experience of inner peace to the seeker. Long and winding mountain path or long and winding labyrinth path, these are quests, for adventure, for spirit or both. In plan, a spiral greatly resembles some labyrinth drawings; the spiral also represents the path to the spirit, from trails around mountains to the great spiral coils of incense in Asian temples.

The elements of circuitousness, safe disorientation and planned chaos seem to continue to intrigue us. Whichever form one enjoys most, both forms share many elements. Most have existed first as “drawings” used for teaching or storytelling. Some were and still are a tool for those who are physically unable to undertake a walking pilgrimage. Danger at the center or peace at the center can both be found on paper!