The labyrinth goes back 5,000 years or more. Beginning in the Middle Ages, Christianity adopted the labyrinth as a symbol, changing the design to imbue it with specifically Christian meaning. For almost a thousand years there has been an identifiable Christian labyrinth tradition. This movement reached its peak at Chartres Cathedral, in France, with the installation of an elegant labyrinth into the nave floor in 1201 during the construction of the magnificent new Gothic structure.

The labyrinth incorporates many levels of symbolism within its sacred geometry. Its circularity and concentric circles reflect the cosmos, atoms, and DNA. The geometry comprises the very principles of manifestation utilized by the Divine Hand in its creation of the physical universe.

In our modern world we have lost touch with our origins, our roots, even our true identity. The labyrinth is the bridge that connects us to these things, to a long-forgotten part of ourselves. That’s why it touches people very deeply, often in a way they can’t verbalize, as the context itself is ancient.

Updating Spirituality with the Labyrinth

Churches are constantly in a state of transition as they attempt to remain relevant to society. The Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress has stated, “The movement in the church to reclaim its lost spiritual tradition is enormously significant.”

The labyrinth is an ideal spiritual tool which can be used to reach people who don’t relate to the church as an institution. The labyrinth is personal, generic, and meaningful. It also helps to build community. While providing labyrinths is a wonderful public service to the community, we know of many instances in which people became involved in churches as members and participants after first coming to walk the labyrinth.

The labyrinth, then, can be used to draw new people to a church. Whether they like what they find, and whether they decide to become involved in the church, is beyond the capability of the labyrinth. That depends on the church and what it has to offer. The labyrinth enhances the image of being progressive, of incorporating new elements.

One of the ways this has been done in many places is to combine labyrinth walking with music from Taizé. Taizé is an ecumenical community in France which desires to unify the divisions and differences that separate the Christian family. As a result, they have no dogma to teach, since dogma divides rather than unifies. Their services are comprised almost entirely of repetitively singing beautiful chants, in Latin or a variety of languages. Labyrinths also have no dogma, “speak” many languages, and unify. Combining Taizé chanting and labyrinth walking creates a meaningful experience. – from Robert Ferré, Labyrinth Enterprises - 12 Reasons to Have a Church Labyrinth