Labyrinth
The myth of the Labyrinth centers on King Minos of Crete and his palace at Knossos. Daedalus, a legendary artificer, designed this elaborate structure to hold the Minotaur. The monster was eventually killed by the hero Theseus. Daedalus built the maze so cunningly that he could barely escape it himself after its completion. Archaeologist Arthur Evans excavated the Bronze Age site at Knossos in the early 20th century. He found bull motifs and images of men leaping over bull horns within the ruins. Evans suggested the palace architecture itself inspired the story of the labyrinth. A passage in Homer's Iliad describes a dancing ground made for Ariadne by Daedalus. This text mentions youths and maidens dancing with hands on wrists while a bard plays a lyre. Modern geographer Nicholas Howarth has treated Evans's hypothesis with skepticism since the 2000s. His team searched an underground complex known as the Skotino cave but concluded it formed naturally. Another contender exists in a series of tunnels at Gortyn. These caverns have smooth walls and columns and appear partially man-made. German soldiers used these sites to store ammunition during the Second World War.
The word labyrinth derives from pre-Greek origins with uncertain meaning. Maximillian Mayer proposed in 1892 that labyrinthos might come from labrys, a Lydian word for double-bladed axe. Plutarch wrote Greek Questions noting this potential connection. Arthur Evans asserted that the double axe motif appearing in palace ruins supported his theory. The symbol also appeared in other palaces across Crete including Phaistos. Martin Nilsson observed that in Crete the double axe always accompanied goddesses or women rather than male gods. Linear B decipherment in the 1950s cast doubt on the labrys association. An apparent Mycenaean Greek rendering of the word appeared as da-pu2-re. Stephanie Lynn Buden noted this may relate to the Minoan word du-pu₂-re found on libation tablets. Caverns near Gortyna were called labyrinthos in the 1st century AD. Pliny's Natural History lists four ancient examples: the Cretan labyrinth, an Egyptian labyrinth, a Lemnian labyrinth, and an Italian labyrinth. Herodotus described an Egyptian building complex near the City of Crocodiles surpassing the pyramids. Flinders Petrie discovered remains at Hawara in the Faiyum Oasis during the nineteenth century. This structure dates to the reign of pharaoh Amenemhat III between 1860 BC and 1814 BC. Pliny attributed the Lemnian labyrinth to Smilis and architects Rhoikos and Theodoros from the mid-sixth century BC. Andrew Stewart regarded this attribution as a misunderstanding of the Samian temple location. Pliny also claimed the Tomb of Lars Porsena contained an underground maze though he had not observed it himself.
Early Cretan coins occasionally exhibited branching multicursal patterns around 430 BC. A single-path seven-course Classical design without branching became associated with the Labyrinth on these coins. Similar non-branching patterns appeared widely as visual representations despite literary descriptions suggesting complexity. Roman mosaics typically united four copies of the classical pattern interlinked around the center. An image of the Minotaur or allusion to the legend often appeared at the center of these mosaic labyrinths. Branching mazes were reintroduced only when hedge mazes gained popularity during the Renaissance. Unicursal labyrinths appeared as designs on pottery, basketry, and etchings on cave walls. Many floor labyrinths are large enough for people to walk along their paths. The 7-course Classical pattern known from Cretan coins dates roughly between 400 BC and 200 BC. Some examples may date back to the late Stone Age or early Bronze Age. Medieval four-axis patterns developed from the Roman model but varied in how quadrants traced out. The Chartres pattern named for its appearance in Chartres Cathedral appears in manuscripts as early as the 9th century. In English usage maze generally refers to complex branching puzzles while labyrinth implies a single path to the center. This distinction was mentioned by Matthews in 1922 though he did not find it useful.
The full flowering of medieval labyrinths occurred from the twelfth through fourteenth centuries. Grand pavement labyrinths appeared in Gothic cathedrals notably Chartres, Reims, and Amiens in northern France. Descriptions survive of French clerics performing ritual Easter dances along the path on Easter Sunday. Some modern writers theorized prayers accompanied perambulation of these intricate paths. The earliest attested use of phrase chemin de Jerusalem dates to the late 18th century describing mazes at Reims and Saint-Omer. A ritual depicted in Romantic illustrations involved pilgrims following the maze on their knees while praying. This practice may have been performed at Chartres during the 17th century. The cathedral labyrinths inspired many turf mazes surviving in the UK including Wing, Hilton, Alkborough, and Saffron Walden. Over the same period approximately 500 or more non-ecclesiastical labyrinths were constructed in Scandinavia. These coastal stone labyrinths often bear names translating as Troy Town. Fishing communities likely built them trapping malevolent trolls or winds within coils to ensure safe expeditions. Stone labyrinths also exist on the Isles of Scilly though none date before the nineteenth century. Labyrinths began appearing on church walls and floors around 1000 AD. The most famous medieval example created great influence on later practice was installed in Chartres Cathedral.
A design essentially identical to the 7-course Classical pattern appeared in Native American culture among the Tohono O'odham people. Their labyrinth features I'itoi known as the Man in the Maze. The Tonoho O'odham pattern differs radially with entrance positioned at the top rather than bottom. Earliest appearances cannot be dated securely though oldest commonly dates to the 17th century. Unsubstantiated claims suggest early appearance of figures in India such as a prehistoric petroglyph on a riverbank in Goa circa 2500 BC. Other examples found among cave art in northern India and on dolmen shrines in Nilgiri Mountains remain difficult to date accurately. Securely datable examples begin appearing only around 250 BC. Early Indian labyrinths typically follow the Classical pattern or local variants described as plans of forts or cities. By the White Sea notably on Solovetsky Islands more than 30 stone labyrinths have been preserved. Most remarkable monument is Stone labyrinths of Bolshoi Zayatsky Island containing some 13 labyrinths on 0.4 km² area. Local archaeologists speculate these may be 2,000 to 3,000 years old though most researchers remain dubious. Labyrinths appear in Indian manuscripts and Tantric texts from 17th century onward called Chakravyuha referencing battle formation in Mahabharata epic. Lanka capital city of mythic Ravana described as labyrinth in 1910 translation of Al-Beruni's India written circa 1030 AD.
Starting in late 20th century resurgence of interest in labyrinths sparked revival in building both unicursal and multicursal patterns. Approximately 6,000 labyrinths registered with Worldwide Labyrinth Locator located globally in private properties libraries schools gardens recreational areas temples and cathedrals. Labyrinth walking serves form of active meditation navigating path for meditative or therapeutic purposes. Modern labyrinths built in rehabilitation places such as prisons and hospitals used this way. Activity often connected with religious practice introduced into medical settings for spiritual and secular usage alike. Some faith-based researchers claimed labyrinth walking helps calm mind guide people through internal growth. Secular studies regarding effectiveness reducing stress remain ongoing. Many churches Europe and North America constructed permanent typically unicursal labyrinths or employed temporary ones painted on canvas outlined candles. A labyrinth set up floor St Paul's Cathedral for week March 2000 Ian Tarrant and Sally Dakin documented. Conservative Christians disapprove considering them pagan practices New Age fads. Mark Wallinger created set 270 enamel plaques unicursal labyrinth designs one tube station London Underground marking 150th anniversary Underground. Plaques installed over 16-month period 2013 and 2014 numbered according position route taken contestants 2009 Guinness World Record Tube Challenge.
Labyrinths embraced video game industry countless games include maze-like passages player must navigate. Example includes 1994 video game Marathon featuring many passages requiring navigation. Avant-garde multi-screen film In the Labyrinth presents search meaning symbolic modern labyrinth. Well-received 2006 film Pan's Labyrinth draws heavily upon labyrinth legend symbolism. Magical labyrinth appears third episode And The Horns of Dilemma Librarians series. Cult classic film Jim Henson Labyrinth released 1986 features enormous otherworldly maze young woman traverse save younger brother. Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges entranced idea labyrinth used extensively short stories House of Asterion Aleph. His use inspired authors Umberto Eco Name of Rose Mark Z Danielewski House Leaves. Roger Zelazny fantasy series Chronicles Amber features Pattern granting power move parallel worlds. Rick Riordan Percy Jackson & Olympians fourth novel Battle Labyrinth predominantly takes place within labyrinth Daedalus following heart West settle beneath United States. Ursula K Le Guin Earthsea second book Tombs Atuan uses underground labyrinth hero Ged captured protagonist Tenar trip Kargish Empire spiritual power Nameless Ones vested labyrinth. Australian author Sara Douglass Troy Game incorporates labyrinthine ideas Crete ancient world cities source magical power. Lawrence Durrell Dark Labyrinth depicts travelers trapped underground Crete Octavio Paz titled book Mexican identity Labyrinth Solitude describing condition orphaned lost.
Common questions
Who designed the Labyrinth in Greek mythology?
Daedalus, a legendary artificer, designed the elaborate structure to hold the Minotaur. King Minos of Crete commissioned this palace at Knossos for the monster.
When was the Bronze Age site at Knossos excavated by archaeologists?
Archaeologist Arthur Evans excavated the Bronze Age site at Knossos in the early 20th century. He found bull motifs and images of men leaping over bull horns within the ruins.
What is the origin of the word labyrinth according to Maximillian Mayer?
Maximillian Mayer proposed in 1892 that labyrinthos might come from labrys, a Lydian word for double-bladed axe. Plutarch wrote Greek Questions noting this potential connection while Arthur Evans asserted the double axe motif supported his theory.
Which cathedral features the most famous medieval labyrinth pattern installed around 1000 AD?
The Chartres Cathedral pattern named for its appearance in Chartres Cathedral appears in manuscripts as early as the 9th century. The most famous medieval example created great influence on later practice was installed in Chartres Cathedral during the twelfth through fourteenth centuries.
How many stone labyrinths are preserved on Bolshoi Zayatsky Island near the White Sea?
Stone labyrinths of Bolshoi Zayatsky Island contain some 13 labyrinths on 0.4 km² area. Local archaeologists speculate these may be 2,000 to 3,000 years old though most researchers remain dubious.