The Labyrinth Society: The Labyrinth Society: Types of Labyrinths

Top › Resources › About Labyrinths › Labyrinth Types

Types of Labyrinths

Below is a list of types of labyrinths. By clicking on any of the links below, you will be taken to specific definitions and examples.

Classical Family
Definition: 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, these labyrinths are easily constructed using a seed pattern.
- Classical
  - Classical 11 Circuit
  - Classical 15 Circuit
    Example: Roerslev (Denmark)
  - Classical 3 Circuit
    Examples: Cretan coins of circa 300 to 70 BCE
  - Classical 7 Circuit
    Examples: Dalby, Rocky Valley, England
- Concentric
  - Concentric Labyrinth
    Example: Otfrid's Labyrinth
- Other Classical Seed Patterns
  Three Pointed Seed Patterns There are two subtypes: 1. The Chakra-Vyuha Labyrinth 2. The Baltic Labyrinth
  - Proposed Nasca Labyrinth Seed Pattern
  - Seed Pattern to Labyrinth to Path Alone
    Examples: Oak Dragon Fire Labyrinth
  - The Baltic Labyrinth (Goddess Labyrinth)
  - The Chakra-Vyuha Labyrinth (Hecate Labyrinth)
    Example: Halebid Labyrinth, Mysore, India
  - The Penti Seed Pattern
- Roman
  - Roman Labyrinth
    The majority of Roman labyrinths are developed from the simple classical labyrinths. Often square or circular and occasionally polygonal, these labyrinths are found as mosaics on the floors of Roman buildings.
Mazes
A maze can have more than one entrance and numerous choices along the way. The walls are usually high so as to block one from seeing the way out. It is constructed to be a left-brain puzzle.
Medieval Group
These labyrinths usually divide up into four quadrants. Sacred geometry is deemed essential in the construction of some of these labyrinths. Older examples of these labyrinths are usually found on the floors of European churches and cathedrals. They are also found as turf labyrinths in England.
- Chartres
  - Chartres Labyrinth
- Contemporary Medieval
  Modern labyrinth layouts that emulate the feel of the medieval designs.
  - Chalice Labyrinth
  - Contemporary Medieval
  - Santa Rosa
    One of the new labyrinths that falls in to this same category is the Santa Rosa Labyrinth (copyright 1999). Designed by Lea Goode-Harris in 1997, this seven-circuit labyrinth is divided into four quadrants and includes a unique space on the fourth circuit inline with the labyrinth's mouth. Called the "heart space" this area is not walked but serves as a sacred vessel for holding symbols of one's issues, needs or celebrations. Looking at the path, you will realize that this "heart space" is approached from all four directions, allowing the walker to view his/her symbols from various points of view. Examples: Several of the numerous permanent and temporary installations include: The Sebastopol Teen Center, Sebastopol, California by Lea Goode-Harris; Centenary United Methodist Church, St. Louis, Missouri., by Robert Ferre and Judy Hopen; St. Lukes, Shrevesport, Louisiana by Marty Kermeen and St. Timothy's, Signal Mountain, Tenessee.
- Medieval
  - Medieval 10 Circuit
  - Medieval 11 Circuit
    Also known as the Chartres labyrinth Examples: Chartres, Amiens, St. Quentin, France
  - Medieval 17 Circuit
  - Medieval 7 Circuit
  - Medieval 9 Circuit
  - St. Omar Type
    These square or rectangular labyrinths have a meandering pathway that is actually derived from the Medieval eleven-circuit design.
Other Labyrinths
- Contemporary
  These contemporary designs are not similar to any of the above labyrinth types. The unicursal labyrinthine pathways or multiple paths of these designs are not designed to confuse, but to enhance spiritual perception.
  - Composite Designs
    A composite design contains two or conceivably more natural geometric motifs.
  - Miscellaneous Designs
    These labyrinths do not fall under any other typology.
  - Vesica Pisces Motif
    Based on the vesica pisces.
- Meander
  - Meander
  - Meander Pattern Based Design
    The "Circular labyrinth" is a unicursal circular design, with a short path to get on the circle. Technically, it is not a labyrinth by the present definition.
- Miscellaneous Labyrinth Types
  - Miscellaneous Labyrinth Types
    These designs are not similar to any of the above labyrinth types. However, they do have unicursal labyrinthine pathways.
- Three Dimensional
  - Three Dimensional Labyrinth
    While the design of most three-dimensional labyrinths is invariably Classical, the paths of these labyrinths envelop a mound or hill, and are thus three rather than two dimensional. (Sometimes the boundaries between these labyrinths and earthworks become blurred.)