An Amazing Puzzle: The Enigma of Mazes and Labyrinths
The dream was so vivid that, on walking, the rector felt compelled to build a real-life version of the maze he had seen. The newly constructed maze was modeled on a set of religious carvings in the village church and the design was symbolic. The winding pathways represented the journey of life. The wrong turnings and culs-de-sac symbolized the sins that people commit before death, obstacles on the way to paradise and heaven.
An Amazing Puzzle: The Enigma of Mazes and Labyrinths
By Mr. Ghaz, September 18, 2009
An Amazing Puzzle: The Enigma of Mazes and Labyrinths
In 1950 Canon Harry Cheales, parish priest of Wyck Rissington, a small village in the south of England, had a curious dream. In it, he was looking out of window of the rectory while below him, in the garden, he could see people walking around a maze. A shadowy figure behind him was describing the scene.
The dream was so vivid that, on walking, the rector felt compelled to build a real-life version of the maze he had seen. The newly constructed maze was modeled on a set of religious carvings in the village church and the design was symbolic. The winding pathways represented the journey of life. The wrong turnings and culs-de-sac symbolized the sins that people commit before death, obstacles on the way to paradise and heaven.
Patterns and Puzzles
Throughout history mazes, or labyrinths, have been found all over the world, both as real constructions and as symbolic representations in art. There is even evidence that mazelike patterns were used by the ancients. They are found on Sumerian seals, Babylonian tablets, Etruscan wine jars, Roman mosaic pavements, on a pillar at Pompeii, even on the magnificent carved entrance stone to one of the oldest buildings in the world, the 5,00o-year-old Newgrange Tomb in Ireland.
But despite the frequency with which they have appeared, there is still remarkably little understanding of the real significance of mazes or why they were built. To some people they have always been places of amusement; to others, they are puzzles or mental teasers. And some people regard them as symbols with a hidden meaning.
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Brilliantly researched, well done!
Well researched and amazing piece. Thanks.
Perfectly written! I think they have hidden messages. The pictures are fantastic. Loved the article and pictures. Thanks for education us once again in a most enjoyable way.
Great article and well researched, MrGhaz!
Ages ago, people were much more spiritually aware than people are now. Most buildings with a lot of work put into them were for religious reasons. Makes sense that mazes were part of that.
Excellent article.
Well written & researched article on a fascinating theme!
Excellent as usual. Labyrinths and mazes are indeed highly symbolic. The labyrinth in Chartres cathedral is my favorite, several cathedrals in France have one.
Thank you and congratulations for this beautifully crafted article.
Best wishes,
François
wow!
Great research, and great article, MrGhaz!
Monica.
your pictures are amazing, wow, thanks for sharing.
Well-written and with great photos. I’ve always though of mazes as purely for entertainment until now.
great article and well researched great pictures also
A great article. Very informative and well illustrated. I have learnt such a lot of the history of mazes. Well done.
Christine
I am very much enjoying your articles Mr Ghaz! Always interesting and always something to learn.I did know of the greek, christian and british legends of the labyrinth but not the others! I once designed a labyrinth for a convent which was for contemplation while following and reflection upon reaching the center. Excellent work as always, a very enjoyable read!
very interesting! u’ve done great researches 
I enjoyed your articles and I thought the pictures that you used were an excellent touch. I have really learned something from your article.
Well-researched one. Your pictures simply describe your post to the fullest.
I love mazes! I must get myself to Hampton Court at some point! Great piece!
Great stuff!
Intriguing… I didn’t know there are lots of mazes and labyrinths, thanks for this info.
I love mazes. Farmers here, cut out mazes through their corn fields on Halloween. it’s a treat for the kids out tricking. yours are amazing.
Great article, with a nice photographic touch…very well compose and researched, thank you for sharing!
Interesting assortment.
as always, very informative
Very Nice calloction
Another great article. loved the pictures..fab.and well-presented as usual.really amaze me..Thanks for sharing this wonderful stuff!!
very beautiful. thanks for always posting interesting articles
Awesome..
Hi,
I am the photo owner’s below of “Minotaur and escaped the winding passageways”.
The link in photo is incorrect.
Can you change it? thanks
The article is very well.
Hi, Bizen, Thanks. Fixed.
good article, but i would have liked to have been contacted upon the use of my image! (the one with two people embracing).
best regards, Yulia
Hi Yulia, Thanks for reply. ..okay, that will do in future..fyi, I’ve linked the photographs (Image Credit below the picture) )to the original picture which gives the photographer credit. I do think this fulfills creative commons guidelines. http://www.flickr.com/guidelines.gne
oh yes yes it does. dont worry, but it’s nice to know just personally when the photos are used, after all, i would have had no knowledge of it being used had i not traced down, where some viewers come from to my flickr.
The only hedge maze I have ever been in was just south of Peebles, Scotland. It was fun.
Take Care, DreamSweet and Let Your Heart Shine
~ milton
