These cathedral labyrinths were laid out according to the same basic pattern: 11 concentric circles that contain a single meandering path which slowly leads one to the centre rosette. The path makes 28 loops, seven on the left side toward the centre, then seven on the right side toward the centre, followed by seven on the left side toward the outside, and finally seven on the right side toward the outside, terminating in a short straight path to the rosette.

Labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral

A labyrinth is different from a maze. A maze offers a choice of paths, dead ends and false leads, it is a puzzle the cognitive mind (left brain) loves to solve. It is possible to get lost in a maze. Walking the labyrinth involves the creative and intuitive mind, (right brain) and can be calming and unifying rather than teasing and frustrating. It is not possible to get lost in a labyrinth. The only decision needed is to enter and walk.

A labyrinth may be round, square or octagonal, laid out on a floor or outdoors. It has a single winding path the walker follows to the centre. The same path is used when returning. Some are painted on wooden floors while others are painted on canvas and laid out in temporary spaces.

Outdoor labyrinths may be made of brick, stone, turf, beach stones, gravel, wood chips or mown grass. The design can be drawn on a sand beach, painted on a parking lot, or may be a trodden path, outlined with stones in a field. Increasingly people are creating labyrinths for their homes.

The labyrinth walk is a symbolic journey to the centre of ourselves. It is a walk that can refresh the spirit and nourish an often forgotten part of ourselves. An ancient path dating from the middle ages, the labyrinth is winding its way into our modern society and is increasingly featured in churches, hospitals, parks, and schools.