Which ‘Wunderkreise’ known so far can we still classify? For me, only the “repaired” Scandinavian labyrinths remain. First, there is the Borgo Labyrinth from this article. The “repaired” one is also shown in it. If I look closely, I can compare it as a type with the Wunderkreis of Kaufbeuren. It has exactly the same look of lines, although of course the size, construction and still other details look different. So it would be type 9 a-c. In the article “Reflections on the Wunderkreis, 3” it is all described in more detail.
The Dritvík Wunderkreis 1
Type 9 a-b
The path sequence (first to the left): 0-7-2-5-4-3-6-1-8-a1-b2-b1-a2-9-0. The path sequence (to the right): 0-9-a2-b1-b2-a1-8-1-6-3-4-5-2-7-0.
The Dritvík Wunderkreis 2
Type 7 a-d
The path sequence (first to the right): 0-5-2-3-4-1-6-a1-b2-c1-d2-d1-c2-b1-a2-7-0. The path sequence (to the left): 0-7-a2-b1-c2-d1-d2-c1-b2-a1-6-1-4-3-2-5-0.
I had the idea for such a bracelet for a long time. It came to me when I was working on the pattern for the labyrinth. The diagram representation (see related articles below) is ideally suited for this. I could well imagine stretching the ring-shaped arrangement and then placing the beginning and end of the ribbon together again. To do this, only the middle part had to be elongated. I then tried to make some paper models. I also thought about the closure. You can see this in the templates shown below. The beginning and the end of Ariadne’s thread should almost touch each other again.
In particular, self-dual labyrinths seem particularly well suited to this. Because it doesn’t matter on which side of the belt (whether above or below) you see the entrance to the labyrinth or the entrance to the center.
Then over the years I tried to bring these ideas to other labyrinth enthusiasts or to find a jeweler. But I wasn’t really successful.
That’s why I’m practically releasing this idea here. Hoping someone will find a workable implementation. The design could look very different. The principle should only be to regard the Ariadne thread itself as a form-giving element.
The 7 circuit Classical labyrinth
A Roman labyrinth
The 11 circuit Chartres labyrinth
Here are some templates. The correct length has to be determined for the respective arm. The material also plays a role, of course. Likewise, the question of how to design the closure.
The draft for a 7 circuit labyrinth
The draft for a sector labyrinth
The draft for a 11 circuit Chartres labyrinth
Of course, it would be most beautiful if the Ariadne thread could carry itself. But that depends a lot on the thickness of the wire. And also whether everything stays in place or needs a support or some kind of cross connection. Perhaps one should also apply the Ariadne thread to a base? Or maybe emboss or punch?
A 7 circuit labyrinth made of silver wire
I once had a jeweler make a copy out of silver wire for me. But I’m not at all satisfied with the result.
But maybe there are now creative minds who can do it better? I would be glad.
The double spiral looks different in the locality, of course, but in principle it corresponds to this type. The path sequence is 0-5-2-3-4-1-6-a1-b2-c1-c2-b1-a2-7-0. And vice versa: 0-7-a2-b1-c2-c1-b2-a1-6-1-4-3-2-5-0. That would be again the basic labyrinth and the transpose. In total we have 10 circuits: 7 “labyrinthine” and 3 for the double spiral. This replaces the center and the three following circuits of the classical labyrinth with its 11 circuits. That is why this Wunderkreis is so similar to the classical labyrinth. It has developed probably also from this.
The path sequence (first to the left): 0-7-2-5-4-3-6-1-8-a1-b2-c1-c2-b1-a2-9-0. The path sequence (to the right): 0-9-a2-b1-c2-c1-b2-a1-8-1-6-3-4-5-2-7-0. It has more circuits than the Babylons. In historical drawings there were even more. Thus it should be clear that it is a further development of the labyrinth created from the basic pattern.
A little more is known about the next labyrinth: The Zeiden Wunderkreis.
Type 7 a-f
The path sequence (first to the right): 0-5-2-3-4-1-6-a1-b2-c1-d2-e1-f2-f1-e2-d1-c2-b1-a2-7-0. The path sequence (to the left): 0-7-a2-b1-c2-d1-e2-f1-f2-e1-d2-c1-b2-a1-6-1-4-3-2-5-0.
The Transylvanian Saxons hold their traditions high and maintain them even nowadays. The neighborhood of Zeiden organizes its home meeting in Dinkelsbühl and every three years there is a march into the Wunderkreis to the sounds of the Kipfelmarsch. This year, after the Corona break, there was again a Wunderkreis on 2022, June 18. in Dinkelsbühl. Unfortunately I could not be there. Here a report with photos (in German) of the Zeiden neighbourhood themselves. Even more pictures here.
This Wunderkreis has no branching, but separate paths for input and output. Compared to the previous examples, this type is also mirror symmetrical. The Zeidner choose the right path (5) as entrance. So they also walk the labyrinthine, outer circuits first. At the temporary Wunderkreis in Dinkelsbühl also always the line is drawn on which one walks. Thus Ariadne’s thread.
Now we come to the Wunderkreis of Eberswalde. It is one of the historical German labyrinths. The first one was created in 1609 on the Hausberg, which unfortunately disappeared in the 19th century.
In 1855 there was the second Wunderkreis near the gymnasium on the square at Kniebusch, but it also disappeared in 1910.
For my schematic drawing, I used a 2009 mintage as a guide, which shows the first Wunderkreis. This is essentially true for the number of circuits.
Type 11 a-e
The sequence of operations (first to the left): 0-9-2-7-4-5-6-3-8-1-10-a1-b2-c1-d2-e1-e2-d1-c2-b1-a2-11-0. The walk sequence (to the right): 0-11-a2-b1-c2-d1-e2-e1-d2-c1-b2-a1-10-1-8-3-6-5-4-7-2-9-0.
Since 2012 there is again a Wunderkreis in Eberswalde. However, in a different place than the original and also in a simplified form with fewer circuits.
As we have seen (in part 1), the most different variants of the Wunderkreis can be created. Depending on which part is emphasized more or less, they then look like. When creating a new labyrinth, of course, it also depends on the size of the available space and the purpose the labyrinth is to serve.
Type 5 a-c
The path sequence, if we go first to the left: 0-3-2-1-4-a1-b2-c1-c2-b1-a2-5-0. To the right we have: 0-5-a2-b1-c2-c1-b2-a1-4-1-2-3-0. With the digits we have the sequence with odd and even numbers, as we know it from a classical labyrinth. With the letters, which designate the elements of the double spiral, we can also see a certain systematic: The letters come alternately one after the other. If two identical letters follow each other, we have reached the center of the spiral and the basic change of direction. The additions “1” designate the lower part and the addition “2” the upper part of a transition. If we take a closer look at the circuit sequences, we can see that the second one (to the right) is opposite to the first one. So we can say that here two different but related labyrinths of a group are united in one. Depending on which path we choose first.
How many circuits does this Wunderkreis actually have? That is a little difficult to count. To do this, we divide the figure into three parts, the lower left quarter, the upper half, and the lower right quarter. Let’s start at the bottom left: There are the 3 “labyrinthine” circuits and 3 of the double spiral. At the top we have 4 “labyrinthine” circuits and the 3 of the double spiral. Bottom right: 5 “labyrinthine” circuits and the 3 of the double spiral. So, depending on the angle of view, we have 6, 7 or 8 circuits. The type designation is the maximum number of “labyrinthine” turns plus the letter sequence for the turns of the double spiral. Adding both gives the number of total circuits. In this example “5 a-c” so 8 in total. In the file name for the drawings I have tried to express this as well, additionally provided with the indication of the entrance and the exit of the labyrinth.
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