Labyrinth: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:47, 26 November 2004

Revision as of 08:21, 27 November 2004

Line 3:

-----

In [[Greek mythology]], the '''Labyrinth''' was an elaborate [[maze]] constructed for King [[Minos]] of [[Crete]] and designed by the legendary artificer [[Daedalus]] to hold the [[Minotaur]], a creature that was half [[human]] and half [[bull]], eventually killed by [[Theseus]]. The [[Minoan]] dynasty of King Minos was called "the house of the [[double axe]]"; ''labyrinth'' is a word of pre-greek ("[[Pelasgian]]") origin absorbed by classical Greek'', and is notprobably related to [[labrys]]'', a word for "double axe". Though no site in [[Crete]] has been positively identified as the Minotaur's Labyrinth, we do find [[3rd century BC]] coins, from [[Knossos]] in [[Crete]], imprinted with the labyrinth symbol. The predominant labyrinth form during this period is the simple 7-circuit style known as the ''classical''. the way through the labyrinth is called Thread of Ariadne - which was a godness later only the doughter of Minos and Pasiphae - a princess.

[[image:labyrinth.png|right|Classical labyrinth]]

Line 19:

There are remarkable examples of the labyrinth shape from a whole range of ancient and disparate cultures. The symbol has appeared in all forms and media ([[petroglyph]]s, classic-form, medieval-form, pavement, turf and basketry) at some time, throughout most parts of the world, from [[Java (island)|Java]], Native [[North America|North]] and [[South America]], [[Australia]], [[India]] and [[Nepal]].

The best book about Labyrinths: hermann Kern: Labyrinths, Prestel 2000

== Modern Labyrinth Building ==