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labyrinthsrel285-blog · 6 years ago

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More About Cretan Labyrinths

Cretan labyrinths are most well known from the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. They are “based on a pattern first documented on a clay tablet from Pylos, Greece (circa 1200 BCE) and also found on Cretan Coins of 400 to 500 BCE.” (Society) Cretan labyrinths often come in a seed pattern. They come in many different styles, or circuits, which alter the length of time to get to the center, and may also alter the difficulty of them.

The first and most common labyrinth is the seven circuit labyrinth. This is the most popular and widely known labyrinth style.

“The seven circuits of the Cretan labyrinth correspond with the seven spheres of the sacred planets, the seven principles of the human being and the cosmos, the seven days of the week [...] Passing to the center of the labyrinth and returning to its circumference represents the involution and evolution of the universe, the coming into birth and the passing out of earthly life of an individual, and--most important--a journey into the center of our own being, the achievement there of a quest for wholeness, and the subsequent return to our divine source.” (Binford)

This is a seven circuit labyrinth located on Gotland island in Sweden, and lies right outside of the old Fröjel church. There are many seven circuit labyrinths throughout the world, but this one is very popular as many believe Gotland island is magical or haunted. It is a very mysterious place and walking this labyrinth is thought to wipe your memory of walking it.

The next most popular cretan labyrinth style is the eleven circuit labyrinth.

This labyrinth has “eight turning points with stacked circuits. It is self-dual. That means that the way out has the same rhythm as the way in.” (Reißmann)

This 11 circuit labyrinth is located in Australia, and is native to the Campfire in the Heart association. This is a religious labyrinth, and the association’s goal is “to provide an opportunity for people to share their story around a campfire in the heart of Australia and through that sharing, to grow in the mystery and wonder of the heart of God.” (Springs) It was created with 11 circuits rather than 7 to provide for more time in healing and spiritual experiences.

Next, there is a fifteen circuit labyrinth.

This is the Roerslev labyrinth, the first ever 15-circuit labyrinth. It is drawn on the ceiling of a Danish church located in Denmark. To this day, there are only four 15 circuit labyrinths existing on land, three of which lie in Scandinavia and the fourth in England. Many people find these labyrinths to be much too large to walk or to build, so there is not an abundance of them like there are in 7 or 11 circuit labyrinths.

Finally, the oldest circuit is a three circuit labyrinth. These are from the style of the Cretan coins in 300-70 BCE.

“This is the smallest possible version of a Chartres labyrinth. And there are just two barriers possible for it. Otherwise it does not work.” (Reißmann) Since this is such a small labyrinth, they are more uncommon because of their seemingly wasteful space. Most labyrinths are spent walking to the center and back in about an hour; however, a three circuit labyrinth may take only about 20 minutes. This can feel like a waste of time to those using it in religious contexts, as they may feel this is not an ample amount of time for prayer.

Along with the different circuits shown above, there are many other forms of labyrinths. There are medieval labyrinths, concentric labyrinths, roman labyrinths, contemporary labyrinths, and so many more. Cretan labyrinths are most commonly associated with Europe and North American regions. In Middle Eastern regions, there will be different forms of the labyrinth, such as the Padmavyuha.

The Padmavyuha (above) is very similar but also very different from the Cretan labyrinths, being much more rounded and spiral looking. It is meant to symbolize a lotus, and is seen as a chakra used for meditation in India. This differs from the most common usage of the Cretan labyrinths, prayer.

It is important to understand when studying Cretan labyrinths and their meanings that they are not ubiquitous throughout the world, and that many other cultures/regions of the world will use different shapes and names, as well as various meanings and usages. It would take someone a very long time to identify all types of labyrinths existing throughout the world, as well as their meanings, which is why labyrinths and their geometry still remains such a mystery.

Sources

Articles

Binford, Harry, and John Algeo. “The Labyrinth: A Brief Introduction to Its History, Meaning and Use.” Home - Theosophical Society in America, www.theosophical.org/publications/1276.

Reißmann, Erwin, and Andreas Frei. “LabyrinthBlog.” Blogmymaze, blogmymaze.wordpress.com

Society, Labyrinth. The Labyrinth Society: The Labyrinth Society: Types of Labyrinths, labyrinthsociety.org/labyrinth-types.

Springs, Alice. “About.” Campfire In The Heart, campfireintheheart.com.au/about/.

Images

“Fröjel.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fröjel.

“Home.” Mid-Atlantic Geomancy, geomancy.org/index.php/labyrinths/old-labyrinths/15-circuit-labyrinths#!/ccomment.

“Labyrinth at Campfire in the Heart.” Radio National, 9 Aug. 2016, www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/labyrinth-at-campfire-in-the-heart/7704460.

“Padmavyuha.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Dec. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmavyuha.

Reißmann, Erwin, and Andreas Frei. “LabyrinthBlog.” Blogmymaze, blogmymaze.wordpress.com

#labyrinth #cretan labyrinths #padmavyuha #gotland #australia #denmark #sweden #scandinavia #india #fröjel #roerslev

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