Related Terms • labrys • pentagram • Snake Goddess • Man in the Maze Related Resources • Hellenismos • Gnosticism • Hermetic Tradition  Glossaries  • Symbol Glossary • Alternative Religions Glossary • Afro-Caribbean Religion glossary

The labyrinth is a winding, maze-like path, often resembling a spiral. Labrynths are found in many ancient cultures, and almost always have spiritual significance. Nearly identical labrynth patterns are found in neolithic art, on native American petroglyphs, and even in ancient Vedic sites. Ancient Minoan labrynths were associated with the cult of the mother Goddess, and were possibly used in intiatory rituals.

Labrynths carried into medieval times, where they were often laid on the floors of cathedrals. They were used as a sort of miniature pilgrimage- often, these 'pilgrims' traveled the path on their knees while praying continuously. Labrynths today have seen a kind of revival- they are common today both in churches and Neopagan sanctuaries. (It is estimated that there are now more than fifteen hundred labrynths in churches in the US alone.)

Greek Labyrinth

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Related Resources:

• Hellenismos/Greek Revival
  The Hellenistic revival...modern attempts to reconstruct the rich religious traditions of Ancient Greece.
• Religio Romana
  Religio Romana is the main name under which various Neopagan groups attempt to accurately reconstruct ancient Roman Pagan worship.
• Romuva/Lithuanian revival
  Romuva, or the revival of Eastern European Pagan traditions, is one of the oldest Neopagan traditions.