Discovering the labyrinth-
Cultural and other "ways in"

The labyrinth is a universal symbol. As such, it isn't specifically "owned" by any one culture, religious tradition, or country. While discovery of labyrinths, and what has been researched and written about them, is stronger in some parts of the world, and among certain nations, than others, this doesn't mean that there may not be "reference points" that are meaningful for others-ways for connecting with the labyrinth that mean more to a particular people or culture.

In finding out about the labyrinth, and introducing the labyrinth to others, you may wish to start with a telling of its story that is most relevant for you and the people you may talk with. Much is written about the Greek and Christian origins of the labyrinth, but these are far from the only ways of coming to appreciate the labyrinth's role and power.

One of the exciting opportunities with this website is to share what we learn as we discover more, and so we welcome suggestions and input to add to the following initial labyrinth stories, or "ways in". Please do help us grow our knowledge base, and share with us your thoughts about how the labyrinth may best speak within your own culture or belief.

The following is our current list of "starting points" (click on those which you may have a particular interest in):

 The Greek Story-metaphors and meaning in the Classical Greek world
 The Native American Story
 Labyrinths, spirals, and mandalas-Islamic and Sufi stories
 The labyrinth in art
 The Christian Story
 Labyrinths in the Vedas-the symbolism of labyrinths in Hindu Scripture
 Labyrinths in Africa
 Aboriginal motifs and the labyrinth
 Labyrinths and The Journey
 Labyrinths and Fairy Stories
 Labyrinths and Jungian psychology
 Labyrinths and Norse Myths
 The labyrinth and The Tao
 The labyrinth as a metaphor in Buddhism and Jainism
 Labyrinths and The Tarot
 The labyrinth and The Great Mother
 The labyrinth and Gender
 Labyrinths in English Literature
 Labyrinths in the Secular world

The Greek Story

The story of Theseus and the Minotaur is one of the best known from Greek mythology.

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The Native American Story

Labyrinths, and their meaning for Native American nations.

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths, spirals, and mandalas-Islamic and Sufi stories

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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The labyrinth in art

The revelation of labyrinth motifs in art is a fascinating and emerging topic. Here, we are talking not only of paintings, mosaics, carvings, wall reliefs, and other forms of art that explicitly depict the labyrinth, but also those where it is to be found only by those look for it.

One of the foremost researchers in this area is Eloise Philpot, professor of art history at Radford University, Virginia, USA. She has extensively researched the simple symbolic form of the labyrinth as a visual art.

Her most recent study explores the remarkable placement of figures appearing in Raphael’s famous painting, "The School of Athens", with their siting and the direction of their pointing showing the way around the twists and turns of a seven ring classical labyrinth.

She has further related the journey through this labyrinth, taking meaning from the motif of architectural features that appear in the painting, to represent the descent through seven levels of torment, or passing through seven gates of Hell, as described in Dante’s “Divine Comedy”.

The perspective of this particular painting may be the clue to revealing the labyrinth that appears to place the characters where they are shown. Symbolism and hidden meaning of what the artist wanted to communicate are very prevalent in Renaissance art.

Another example may be "The Tower of Babel", by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. This famous picture shows a path that spirals around the tower seven times before coming to its peak. From the broad, multi-lingual and confused “world”, the path merges into “nothingness” at the tower’s peak. Bruegel the Elder is well known for including esoteric coding in his paintings, at a time when to explicitly express ideas that went against the established church was particularly dangerous.

We would love to receive further suggestions to enhance this section, including art from any era and culture. Links to Eloise's work will be included in due course, when these are published in the public domain.

Links

Profile, Eloise Philpot, https://www.radford.edu/content/cvpa/home/art/faculty-staff/eloise-philpot.html

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The Christian Story

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths in the Vedas

The symbolism and a very brief history of labyrinths in Hindu Scripture.

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths in Africa

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Aboriginal motifs and the labyrinth

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths and The Journey

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths and Fairy Stories

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths and Jungian psychology

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths and Norse Myths

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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The labyrinth and The Tao

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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The labyrinth as a metaphor in Buddhism and Jainism

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths and The Tarot

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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The labyrinth and The Great Mother

The Labyrinth and Gaia-Earth-based faiths and the labyrinth, including the labyrinth's role as a healing tool, and the labyrinth's significance in geomancy and the pre Classical Greek world.

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The labyrinth and Gender

Overview

Gender may be a largely created concept. Here, we use the term very broadly–flexing it to mean whatever is meaningful for you, for example, in your understanding of what is "masculine" and "feminine". Much of what is written here can also be applied to considering how the sexes may interact, complement, and be integrated with each other–although phisological sex is a different concept to gender.

The labyrinth may be used to explore questions about gender, about ourselves and others, and how we interact. It is powerful for use in a rite of passage ceremony for those who transition (change gender). It also offers a sacred space in which we come into contact with our higher self, which for many people, may be considered to be beyond gender.

Possible Applications

Become vulnerable, stripping away at our created identities and ego narratives, making ourselves ready to have contact with our true natures and be transformed

Transition (individuals who change gender)

Integration–considering the dance between the masculine and feminine, and how these complement each other, and can be integrated within ourselves. Resolving at the centre to bring the gifts of these into harmony, and celebrate what they both offer.

Cards, readings, or challenges might be used to encourage thoughts and reflections around concepts such as masculinity and femininity.

Points to consider

Many exercises using the labyrinth can be carried out alone

It is best to avoid using the labyrinth as a debating tool, or to enhance polarized perspectives.

Preparation by walkers before entering the labyrinth may be important–having a readiness to be open and accept what may come.

The labyrinth may be used in both group and individual contexts, and may be about exploring difference, and differences of perspective and experience.

Different labyrinth patterns may lend themselves more suitably for some exercises. For example, the Classical style of labyrinth doesn't have a very large centre. If using such a labyrinth, you may wish to encourage individuals to envisage a larger centre (if the way that the labyrinth is being used encourages them to gather together when they arrive at the centre).

This section is in development. Please help us add to the information to include here.

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Labyrinths in English Literature

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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Labyrinths in the Secular world

This section is not yet written. Please check back soon, or contact us with your suggestions about what to include here.

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