The Long & Winding Road: Backyard Labyrinths

During a stroll along Cambridge's scenic Memorial Drive last Sunday, we stumbled upon an interesting and unexpected design feature in the newly constructed Riverside Park: a labyrinth.

The labyrinth is an ancient symbol found in nearly every cultural tradition. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth consists of a single, non-branching path, which leads to the center. Traditionally used for meditation or prayer, they can add fun and reflective design element to the backyard — not to mention a great conversation piece for your next barbecue.

The typical backyard labyrinth requires about a 10x10 foot area and can be constructed using virtually any outdoor material. Don't have that much space? Try a classical finger labyrinth like this one from Gold Light Ceramics.

Images: Ronee Saroff, Ms. Newburn's Math & Science Blog, Craig Goodwin, Catherine Anderson, Golden Light Ceramics

Comments (6)

I saw an interesting labyrinth at The Garden in the Woods in Framingham. They had constructed it from a felled tree, and the smaller of the branches had been cut into 4 or 5 inch lengths. The effect was very cool. And a nice way to reuse yard/landscaping waste!

I have one in my backyard outlined in beach stones. It's small at about 15'x15'. It really makes me smile to see it through the kitchen window every morning, even if I don't get out to walk it very often.

Several years ago the Washington Post Weekender section had an article about labyrinths and I loved it so much I ripped it out and saved it - it was my first "inspiration" article for "someday". I love the idea of a labyrinth in my backyard, and now your post has me re-evaluating my space to see if I can fit one in!

OOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I've been dreaming for years of building a labyrinth in my backyard. I've been obsessed with them since college- even now (as a clergyperson), I love them. I just did a labyrinth workshop and compiled pictures of labyrinths (personal and public) from all over the world. There's a couple with an awesome stone one in Santa Fe.

Several of these are modified Chartres designs, but the mushroom-shaped ones are Cretan designs. (Different functions for each shape). Love them all!

Of course, what I need first is a backyard, which could be a problem as I love apartment living and rather loathe mowing. I should probably reconcile these competing desires first.

Thank you for posting this, I've been eyeing a patio in my rear garden with a desire to change it to a labyrinth (I think it's a 2011 project), as often as possible I walk the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco:

http://www.gracecathedral.org/community/labyrinths/

Grace has several finger labyrinths as well:

http://theshop.gracecathedral.org/Finger_Meditation_Tools_s/26.htm