Parts Of The Labyrinth
The Path: The singular path of the 11th circuit Labyrinth has 11 concentric circles with the 12th being the center of the labyrinth. The path moves throughout the whole circle. There are 34 turns on the path going in toward the center, 6 of which are semi right-angle turns, and 28 are 180 degree u-turns. The number 12 is important in sacred geometry. “It is the multiple of 3, representing heaven, and 4, representing earth. The path overall represents creation,” according to Dr. Lauren Artress in her book Walking A Sacred Path: Rediscovering The Labyrinth As A Spiritual Tool (1995).
The Center: The center of the labyrinth is often called a rosette. It is made up of the six petals and is a rose shaped area, although normally a rose only has five petals. The rose is a symbol for Virgin Mary. It is also associated with the Holy Grail. The Lotus is its eastern equivalent. Both flowers appear in sacred art and imagery.
The Labyrs: There are 10 labyrs in the classical 11-circuit Labyrinth. The labyrs are are found between the turns in the Labyrinth, or might be seen as the black areas, that look like a double ax. When you look at them from above, they form a large cross, or cruciform, that is embedded in the Labyrinth design.
The Lunations: These are unique to the 11-circuit labyrinth in the Chartres Cathedral. They are partial circles, inside out, on the outer ring of the labyrinth. There are 28.5 two-thirds circles (foils) and 28 cusps (points) per quarter of the labyrinth. The four quadrants of the labyrinth mark each quarter of the year. There is a total of 113 cusps and 112 foils. Some believe that this was a calendar of some sort that helped the church know when it was time for particular events. One cusp and two foils are absent in the design at the entrance. Reproductions of the Chartres Labyrinth usually leave out these lunations. If these lunations are missing, it is not a true reproduction of the Chartres Labyrinth. Some believe that the power of the labyrinth is reduced when these are missing.
Walk through the pathway parts of a sacred Chartres labyrinth. The circular design takes you to a passageway of meditation. Walking the center circuit circle of the maze is a path to a spiritual space. The labyrinth is symbol similar to that of a rose.