WHAT IS A LABYRINTH?
The labyrinth combines the imagery of a circle and the spiral, creating a meandering, but purposeful single path. Labyrinths are part of the Christian tradition and became particularly important after they were built into the floors of the great Gothic pilgrimage cathedrals of France in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The most famous and heavily visited design is in the nave floor of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres, outside of Paris. Northaven’s labyrinth will be 30-feet in diameter, with eight circuits or paths, plus a perimeter walkway. It will be constructed with two-color paver stones to outline the paths and lines, and will be ADA compliant for wheelchair accessibility.
The labyrinth is an ancient geometric design found in many cultures around the world. Labyrinths were found on pottery, tablets and tiles that date back as far back as 5000 years ago. The patterns simulate spirals and circles mirrored in nature. In Native American tradition, the labyrinth is identified with the Medicine Wheel, with the most famous being a basket design named “the Man in the Maze.” The Celts described the labyrinth archetype as the Never Ending Circle. Mystical Judaism related this symbol to the Kabala. The labyrinth combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. One feature labyrinths have in common is that they have one path that winds in a circuitous way to the center. Labyrinths are currently being used world-wide as a way to calm the mind, recover balance in life, and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection, reduce stress, and to rediscover innovation and celebration. Labyrinth walks are open to all people as a non-d
