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LABYRINTHS
Different Types of Labyrinth
As already stated, there
are a number of different types of labyrinth. The
Labyrinth Society, an international focus for all matters
labyrinthine, has evolved a classification system to simplify
the discussion of labyrinths. The main categories are: Classical,
Mediaeval (which includes the Chartres style) and Other.
The earliest datable example
of a Classical labyrinth, one of the earliest known labyrinth
patterns, goes back to 1200 BCE on a clay tablet from Pylos
in Greece. Another example was discovered on a coin found
at Knossos, on Crete, and was dated at circa 300 BCE. In
style, the Classical labyrinth looks somewhat like a cross-section
of the human brain, weaving back and forth from left to
right. The most common form has seven circuits, though three,
eleven or even fifteen have been used at one era or another.
This design is also one of the easiest to draw, beginning
with a very simple seed pattern. (If you would like to try
doing this, and I would highly recommend it, please visit
Sig Lonegren’s Labyrinth Section on his website www.geomancy.org
. Sig is one of the fathers of the labyrinth in our times,
and I owe my own first experience of labyrinth-creation
to him, one of many reasons that I am blessed to have him
in my life. Sig’s book, now in its second (revised)
edition, Labyrinths: Ancient Myths and Modern Uses.
(Pub Sterling Publishing Co. ISBN 0-8069-7407-9) is still
recognised as one of the best introductory books on the
market and is well worth a read.) Although generally acorn-shaped,
the Classical style labyrinth may also be square in form.
The strongly classical nature of their origin is reflected
in the tradition of calling them names akin to “Troy”,
such as “Troytown” or “Walls of Troy”.
Derivations of the Classical
style labyrinth include the “Hecate” (or chakra-vyuha)and
the “Nordic” forms. The first known representations
of the “Hecate” date from 16th Century in India,
but its existence seems to have been referenced much earlier
in the India epic, The Maharabatha, where it was
considered to be a magical defensive dance for some of the
great armies. The “Nordic”, as suggested by
its name seemed to evolve in Scandinavia and Germany, and
features an elongated central region, often Goddess-like
in form, and frequently allowing a tree to be planted in
the goal.
The Chartres style labyrinth
takes its name from the great Gothic Cathedral of Chartres
in France, where the master masons installed a black and
white tiled labyrinth during a re-construction process that
ran from 1194 to 1260, following a disastrous fire that
destroyed the previous building. There was a great flowering
of interest in the labyrinth during the Gothic period, at
a time when those in Western Europe were turning their attention
to the riches (on many levels) of the Middle East, and specifically
the sacred lands around Jerusalem, in other words, the Crusades.
Much more complex in design, in their use of sacred geometry,
and in their ritual usage, these labyrinths were often used
as an analogy for pilgrimage, serving as a substitute for
the many who could not make the full journey to the Holy
Land. In fact, some of the labyrinths became known by the
name “Jerusalem”. Some of the more devout penitents
are even known to have followed this pilgrim’s path
on their knees.
The Chartres labyrinth has
been given a new lease of life over the past twenty years
or so, largely due to its re-discovery by Dr Lauren Artress,
Deacon of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Lauren, who
is also a qualified psychotherapist, quickly perceived the
advantages of the labyrinth and endeavoured to bring it
into use in her ministry at Grace, eventually creating the
Veriditas labyrinth programme. There are now two Chartres
style labyrinths at Grace, one being a large rug in the
nave of the Cathedral, the other being a paved version outside
the Cathedral and thus available for use twenty-four hours
a day. (The latter was apparently sited by geomancer Feather
Anderson to maximise the benefit of the on-site earth energies.)
In form, the Chartres style
labyrinth normally has eleven circuits, broken down into
four different quadrants, with a flower-shaped goal. The
original also has 112 “lunations”, or semi-circular
embellishments around the edges. These represent four lunar
months of 28 days, and are believed to have had significance
in establishing the floating Easter date of the Christian
calendar.
Other Labyrinth Designs
A number of other variations on the labyrinth design are
to be found, even in the wild, so to speak, Many of these
are to be found at a unique site in the Pampas; this is
known as Nazca in honour of the previous inhabitants of
this now-abandoned landscape. It seems that the Nazca people
were very sophisticated in terms of their weaving and pottery
designs, but the most remarkable legacy that we have of
their culture is the great number of large-scale line drawings
of animal forms and other designs whose origin or meaning
we can only guess. Amongst these are some designs that are
strongly reminiscent of the Classical style labyrinth. Some
of the most famous of all are a huge long-tailed monkey
and a giant spider. not only are these line drawings, created
with one simple line that does not cross itself at all,
they also represent, but they also represent very distinct
species that were not found in the immediate area.
The patterns are believed to have been ceremonial walkways,
possibly allowing the participants to connect to the spirit
of the power animal or totem represented on the plain. One
of the most amazing facts about these designs is that they
are so large they cannot be seen properly from the ground;
they were only re-discovered in all their glory with the
advent of aerial photography. So, how did the Nazca people
manage to put them there.
New Modern Designs
The current wave of labyrinth creators have also made innovations
in terms of design, as well as usage of the labyrinth patterns.
Some of these, such as the “Santa Rosa” are
derivations of existing patterns; others such as some of
those created by Alex Campion are completely new.
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