Terracotta Angel, c.1896
Watts Chapel, England
Photo ©: Jeff Saward/Labyrinthos
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The Medieval Labyrinth
(also known as Chartres, cathedral or eleven-
First developed during the ninth and tenth centuries CE, the medieval labyrinth has
obvious four-
An ornate form of the medieval labyrinth,
inlaid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral,
France, c. 1220 CE
Various shape varieties
Labyrinth Typology
Pavement labyrinth,
Chartres Cathedral, France
Photo ©: Jeff Saward/Labyrinthos
By the eleventh and twelfth centuries this form became common in manuscripts and
in the decoration of church walls and floors in Italy. By the early thirteenth century
it had spread to France, and soon became the principle form throughout southern and
western Europe. The famous use of this labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral has led many
writers to term this design the "Chartres" labyrinth. For exact replicas of the labyrinth
at Chartres, this term is acceptable, although inappropriate otherwise, as this design
was in widespread circulation long before it was employed at Chartres. Likewise,
“cathedral” and “eleven path/circuit” are names that do not accurately reflect the
variety of designs and locations in which this design is encountered. Although others
have used the term "Medieval Christian," "Medieval" accurately portrays the context
of this labyrinth, and does not exclude those examples that appear in secular or
non-
Left and right-
Six-
