The Origin of the Meander

Here above all the connection and the relationship of meander and labyrinth interests. The labyrinth can be proved securely only since 1220 BC (the clay tablet from Pylos). Nevertheless, the meander is much older, as it appears already in the Paleolithic. With the proof of the connection of meander and labyrinth the origin of the labyrinth would be much older to date than it was up to now possible. Nevertheless, a historical proof might be difficult, because only with today’s examination into the structure of both objects a resemblance can be ascertained.

According to the Lithuanian-American archeologist Marija Gimbutas (1921-1994) the origin of the meander lies in the Upper Paleolithic (from 40,000 BC on). The meandering serpent and the meander border appear for the first time in the art of the Upper Paleolithic.

She is writing about that:

From the beginning the meander was not only an ornament; it was a symbol, a metaphor for water.

Upper Paleolithic armlet of ivory with rafters and meanders, Mezin (18,000 – 15,000 BC) / Source: Marija Gimbutas, Die Sprache der Göttin (German edition), 1995, pict. 38

Jodi Lorimer means in her book: “Dancing at the Edge of Death – The Origins of the Labyrinth in the Paleolithic” that the labyrinth has its origin in the cave paintings of this epoch. In the representations of creatures with human body and animal heads she sees the first hints to the Minotaur in Greek mythology.

However, only in Ancient Greece (from 800 BC on) indications are found for the relationship of meander and labyrinth.

Karl Kerényi, Hungarian scholar in classical philology (1897 – 1973) pointed out, that “the meander is the figure of a labyrinth in linear form”.

According to Hermann Kern (Labyrinthe, German edition 1982, p. 14) the meander could be a token for the labyrinth from the 5th century BC on.

Others speak of a sign or an ideogram for the labyrinth (Source: Eva Wilson, British Museum Pattern Books: Roman Designs, published in 1999, page 12).

The labyrinth is of pregreek origin, however, not so old as the meander. The geometrical labyrinth figure was presumably developed from the well-known basic pattern.
The connections between meander and labyrinth have been probably seen for the first time in ancient Greece.  They are related with each other by the common movement form.
The construction of the labyrinth from the meander happens by the takeover of the movement pattern. Both figures have a skilfully winding line with starting and end point.

Related Posts

• How to Turn the Classical Labyrinth into a Meander
• How to Turn a Meander into a Labyrinth
• The Classical 3 Circuit Labyrinth Type Knossos

Inauguration of the Magdeburg Domplatz-Labyrinth on May 5, 2012

On World Labyrinth Day 2012, a new labyrinth was inaugurated in front of the west portal of the Dom (Cathedral) of Magdeburg. The Magdeburg Cathedral is as old as the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres. So it was natural to focus on the famous Chartres labyrinth. Thus it happened that 800 years after its construction around 1200 a pavement labyrinth modeled on the original was created on this place.

The labyrinth in front of the west portal

The city of Magdeburg realised as the first building project for the reconfiguration of the complete Domplatz (cathedral place) the construction of the labyrinth. The Magdeburg Lord Mayor Dr. Lutz Trümper handed it over on the 5th of May, 2012. Cathedral preacher Giselher Quast blessed the labyrinth.
Gundula Thormaehlen (co-founder of the TLS) called over the heavenly forces from four directions with her mussel horn. The Martin Rühmann band contributed musically to the celebration. The banners pointed to the Kaiser-Otto-Year exclaimed for 2012 in Magdeburg.

Bird’s-eye view

The concept and the implementing of the labyrinth rested in the hands of the landscape architect Daniela Süssmann from Magdeburg with her engaged employees. For many years she had the idea for a labyrinth on the Domplatz. Now, finally, it came into being after many preliminary talks with the municipal authorities, the monument preservation, and the cathedral parish.

Layout drawing

Special recognition is due to the company Barleber Naturstein Bau- und Pflasterarbeiten whose site engineers, foremen, and paviours moved a total of 47000 tessellated paving stones carefully and exactly.
In the middle of the labyrinth under the paved surface a big amethyst, to which curative forces are attributed, was incorporated.
Everybody engaged in the construction has achieved a masterfully work. Never before a labyrinth type Chartres was put into practice so perfectly as pavement labyrinth.

The six-petaled center

The width of the walkable paths amounts to an average of 40 cm and is built of Bernburg shellbearing limestones, limited by a 10-cm-wide line from dark basalt stones. The way into the center from the entrance measures about 287 m. The middle has a diameter of 3 m, so that including the 113 lunations a whole diameter of about 14.45 m arises. The paving stones and the mortar between them are moved on a foundation of concrete and are integrated into the available, unbound granite pavement surface. Hence, it shows some expansion joints which will still “grow pale”, however. The whole surface in front of the west towers which are restored at the moment shows an inclination leading away from the cathedral, so that the labyrinth is well recognizable.

Solemnization on May 5, 2012 at 1 pm

Unfortunately, it rained at the time of the inauguration at 1 pm, what did no demolition, however, to the happy atmosphere of departure. Thus Magdeburg has joined solemnly on the worldwide labyrinth movement all around the globe, under the terms of the World Labyrinth Day: Walk as One at one. Likewise the citizens have done three years ago on the 1st World Labyrinth Day in 2009.

The day after the inauguration

After the end of the renovation works (probably in the end of 2012) on the west towers the west portal of the Dom will be visible again and the labyrinth can unfold his full effect as inviting symbol.

However, by now it is a sign for a new beginning, for return and coming home, which invites all people to walk it.

Magdeburg is worth a journey.

Related Post:

• Temporary Labyrinth on the Magdeburg Domplatz 2009

How to make a 7 Circuit Labyrinth from one Meander

We already had this topic. Only, the operative word is: from one meander.  Since the well-known 7 circuit classical labyrinth is composed of two meanders.

The particularly suited meander for this in schematic view looks as follows:

Meander with the line sequence 0-7-2-5-4-3-6-1-8

The deciphered meander delivers the path sequence for a labyrinth with its line sequence.

The labyrinth developed from it, in a round shape and a larger middle looks as follows:

A 7 circuit meander labyrinth

The walls are shown in black, the seed pattern contained in the lines is highlighted in colour.

It is a 7 circuit classical labyrinth with the path sequence 0-7-2-5-4-3-6-1-8. It is also remarkable that the walls do not cross. It has only two turning points and quite another alignment than the well-known classical labyrinth with four turning points and the path sequence 0-3-2-1-4-7-6-5-8.
This can be constructed, as everybody knows, from the seed pattern, but also from two joined together meanders of the simple type.
There are different methods or technologies to develop a labyrinth. I would like to call the procedure applied here the meander method.

This begs the question if there is a historical model. To my knowledge there has not been this type yet. (Objections welcome).

But where do we find such a meander? Unfortunately, in the antique collection of the Martin von Wagner Museum of the University of Würzburg I did not (as) yet find one.
In Hermann Kern’s book “Labyrinths” is the image of a Kylix from the British Museum of London (E 84), it shows the dead Minotaur dragged out of the labyrinth by Theseus .

Red-figured Attic kylix from 440-430 BC / Source: Hermann Kern, Labyrinthe, 1982, pict. 3, German edition

Hermann Kern describes the edge as a ribbon with angular shaped, contra-rotating connected spirals. The gate shows overlapping meanders.

The archeologists regard the angular shaped, open, interdependent spirals  either as preliminary stages of the meander or even as meanders. Since they also speak of hook meanders or broken meanders (Source: R.M. Cook, Clazomenian Sarcophagi, published by von Zabern in 1981).

However, I also can develop a labyrinth from this spiral. Since the line sequence is identical with the one in the meander. If I take the white line, I also have a meander.

Spiral with the line sequence 0-7-2-5-4-3-6-1-8

In the spiral I can very well reproduce the change of directions. I turn inwards on the lines 0-7-2-5-4, then I jump to line 3 and go on the lines 3-6-1-8 outwardly. In the labyrinth this is the movement from the outside into the center around the two turning points, so I have the same sequence of movements.

Back to the Attic kylix: On the edge are 9 checkered patterns with 5 squares  and in between are in one  field 4 double spirals and in eight fields three double spirals. All together we find 28 double spirals. In the vertical frieze on the kylix are two checkered patterns with 9 squares and three meander crosses.

Are these only ornaments and decorations? Or do they mean more? This can be subject of speculation. For me these ornaments contain enough allusions on the labyrinth and even the patterns of “real” labyrinths.

According to Hermann Kern the meander could be a token for the labyrinth from the 5th century BC on. Others speak of a sign or an ideogram for the labyrinth (Source: Eva Wilson, British Museum Pattern Books: Roman Designs, published in 1999, page 12).

Related Posts

• How to Turn the Classical Labyrinth into a Meander
• How to Turn a Meander into a Labyrinth
• The Classical 3 Circuit Labyrinth Type Knossos
• How to make a Classical 5 Circuit Labyrinth from a Meander

World Labyrinth Day 2012

Again the Labyrinth Society invitates to celebrate the World Labyrinth Day.

Calling up from the TLS

Most nicely it would be if everybody which is able would walk a labyrinth. But it is also possible, as a substitute to trace a finger labyrinth, to make a labyrinth meditation or to be active  labyrinthine in some way.

If you are looking for a labyrinth near you, maybe you will find one here:

• To find a labyrinth worldwide
• To find a labyrinth in Germany
• To find a labyrinth in Austria
• To find a labyrinth in Switzerland
• More information about the World Labyrinth Day from the TLS

The Faulty 5 Circuit Silver Coin from Knossos

The thing with the faultily drawn silver coin in the previous article has bothered me and I have more exactly looked at them once again:

Square labyrinth with five circuits and drawing mistakes 350-300 BC / Source: Hermann Kern, Labyrinthe, 1982, pict. 54 (rotated), German edition

It is remarkable that the four usual turning points for the 7 circuit classical labyrinth are to be seen. Also the central cross of the wellknown seed pattern is to be recognised. However, which lines are the walls, and which the way?
A little bit was also cheated with the line widths, because the both lower turning points do not lie on the same height.

However, the construction is not completely pointless, it shows even some  astonishing things. Here is a graphic illustration:

Square labyrinth structure

The walls are the black lines. The paths are the empty area in between.
The four turning points, the starting point and the final point are connected with each other, without crossing as it should be in a classical labyrinth. Hence, here we have three coherent lines instead of two. However, the paths are crossing, this can not be. Also there is no real center, but a bifurcation. However, it is possible, to walk through the labyrinth structure by using all paths.

Try it yourself:
Start in A, go to the right and from the crossroad point X on turn left, also while going out. Then one lands again in the starting point A and has crossed all ways.
Or one goes in A upwards and from X on always to the right. Then one reaches  again A after pacing all ways.

It is a “passageway labyrinth” with bifurcation. This is not allowed for a labyrinth in the strict sense, but in the Baltic wheel or in the Wunderkreis of Kaufbeuren we will find this centuries later. Or of course in the true mazes of the later centuries.

Either a joker or a trainee who has not paid attention so properly in the drawing lessons has stamped this coin?
Or here something is already to be found what appears in the labyrinth history  centuries later again.

How to make a Classical 5 Circuit Labyrinth from a Meander

I have found a meander suitable for it in the antique collection of the Martin von Wagner museum of the university of Würzburg on this Aeolian plate  from the time about 575 BC.

Aeolian plate from 575 BC

The meander in schematic form looks like this:

Meander with the line sequence 0-5-2-3-4-1-6

We read from the left to the right: 0 is outside, 6 stands for the middle, 1 to 5 for the circuits. We read the path sequence (line sequence, level sequence): 0-5-2-3-4-1-6. This is the order in which the paths are followed.
Notes to the path sequence:
Odd and even integers must alternate.
The first integer after 0 is always an odd number.

We use the path sequence directly to construct a circular labyrinth with a bigger middle:

Ariadne's thread with path sequence 0-5-2-3-4-1-6

The labyrinth has 5 circuits. The first step leads me directly quite near to the center, into the 5th circle. Then I turn outwardly to the 2nd circle, I approach the center by turning to the 3rd and 4th circle, from where I turn quite outwardly into the 1st circle, and from there, I finally enter the center.

All formative principles which Hermann Kern (Labyrinthe, 1982, p. 14, German edition) demands for a labyrinth are fulfilled.

Is there a historical labyrinth with this alignment?
So much I could investigate, this does not seem to be the case. (Objections are welcome).

Among the silver coins of Knossos  from the time about 500 BC till 100 BC, mentioned in one of the previous posts, there is a coin with the depiction of a 5 circuit labyrinth which is faulty, unfortunately.

Square labyrinth with five circuits and drawing mistakes 350-300 BC / Source: Hermann Kern, Labyrinthe, 1982, pict. 54 (rotated), German edition

In the following drawing you see a square classical 5 circuit labyrinth with the path sequence  0-5-2-3-4-1-6 . The walls are black, the path is the white empty place between them.

Square labyrinth with five circuits

Who wants, can compare the layouts and find out what the old Greeks have made wrong on their coin.
To be fair, I must say that there are still 7 more different versions for a 5 circuit labyrinth.

However, the middle can also become a little bigger. In the following drawing the seed pattern contained in the black walls, is marked in colour.

Square 5 circuit classical labyrinth

The seed pattern can be simplified very much to 2 dots and 5 lines.

The 5 circuit classical labyrinth with small center

To draw the labyrinth I join the free end of the innermost line in an arc with the free end of the line to the right. Then I go to the left line and join it with the free end of the right line parallel to the first arc. And so on with each line and dot.

Who rather wants the “accustomed” sight, here it is:

The 5 circuit classical labyrinth

The seed pattern looks familiar. If one copies it, turns it around 180 degrees,  and attach it, one receives the seed pattern for the 11 circuit classical labyrinth. Or in other words: Two meander of this type put together result in a 11 circuit classical labyrinth.

An other variation of this meander labyrinth arises if I want a bigger middle, but not the perfectly circular form:

The 5 circuit meander labyrinth

The two turning points on the right and left side form a triangle together with the very center of the center. So the relationship with the Baltic wheel and the Indian labyrinth appears. However, in those labyrinths one doesn’t reach the center directly from the outermost ring outside as some circuits are added around the center. Besides, the Baltic wheel has a second short entrance/exit, disqualifying it as a labyrinth in the strict sense.

Related Posts

• The Classical 3 Circuit Labyrinth Type Knossos
• How to Turn a Meander into a Labyrinth
• The Indian Labyrinth (Chakra Vyuha)
• How to build a Labyrinth Type Baltic Wheel

Happy Birthday to You, Jeff!

In the name of all the labyrinth enthusiasts worldwide I want to wish you a Happy Birthday today, Jeff.

Keep on doing the good work as editor, author, photographer, lecturer, director, and recently blogger, not to forget: husband and father.

Jeff last year at Mallum (Netherlands)