Exploring the Labyrinth
Historical and Current Uses of an Ancient Design
According to Jeff Seward in Labyrinths & Mazes (Gaia & Lark Books, 2003), a prehistoric petroglyph found on a riverbank in Goa showing a basic labyrinth design has been dated to around 2500 BC. This design, which shows one single path to its centre as opposed to the multifarious choices of a maze, has been found the world over - from Hopi Indian sacred places to rock carvings in Tintagel, UK.
Labyrinth as Trial
Francis Hitching, in The World Atlas of Mysteries (Pan Books, 1978), describes how the Christian church enthusiastically adopted the idea of the labyrinth. "When the Crusader period was drawing to a close and an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem became impractical, faithful Christians would tread a maze as penance for not making the journey." This led to a burst of labyrinth construction, resulting in the grand pavement labyrinths of the gothic cathedrals, most notably Chartres, Reims and Amiens in northern France and the Duomo di Siena in Tuscany.
Craig Wright, in his book The Maze and the Warrior (Cambridge: Harvard UP, 2001), identifies the labyrinth with the idea of trial: physical, psychological and spiritual. Indeed, as late as the 19th century, Edward Trollope, Archdeacon of Stow, reported in The Archaeological Journal (15, 1858, 216-35), that penitents were "ordered to follow out all the sinuous courses of these labyrinths upon their hands and knees, to repeat so many prayers at fixed stations, and others when they reached the central 'ciel', which in several cases took a whole hour to effect".
Modern Labyrinth
The following two centuries saw the labyrinth fall from grace as it became associated with the mystic and New Age. In recent years, however, a resurgence of interest in the labyrinth symbol has led to a voracious revival of labyrinth building and some, like Dr Lauren Artress, to speak of a "Worldwide Labyrinth Movement." Helen Post Curry, president of The Labyrinth Society, also sees a bright future for the labyrinth. "Because the image of going into the center and coming back out again is so simple and so universal, it works with any religious or spiritual tradition," she says.
There are No Rules
Indeed, the emptying churches around the world are increasingly becoming aware of the potential of the labyrinth in attracting new members into the fold. Recent labyrinth construction includes that by the First Congregational Church in Boston. "The whole point of the labyrinth is there are no rules," said the Rev. Donald Remick, the church's pastor, in The Boston Globe (December 28, 2008). "There are suggestions and traditions, but there is no rigid approach."
The lack of rigidity inherent in the labyrinth seems to be having some effects. While the aforementioned church stages a pagan-sounding "firewalk" around its night-time labyrinth, a recent service to celebrate the opening of a new labyrinth in the grounds of St John's Chapel in Springfield, Missouri was advertised in the News Leader (2nd September 2008) as follows: "The 10:30 a.m. worship service will conclude at the labyrinth. At about 11:25, liturgical dancer Jeri Johnston will lead the way to labyrinth, where she will dance the labyrinth to the music of harpist Darice Auguston."
Whether the labyrinth will remain accepted by popular culture remains to be seen. Its proponents are determined that they will. The previously mentioned Dr. Artress intends to see their introduction "in cathedrals, retreat centers, hospitals, prisons, parks, airports, and in community spaces around the world for community use."
Semi-precious Stone Labyrinth
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Sinners Would Walk this as Penance
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