How to Draw a Large 19 Circuit Square Labyrinth

Previously I’ve shown you how to draw an 11 circuit square labyrinth, a 7 circuit square labyrinth and a 3 circuit square labyrinth. Today we review making any large square labyrinth with the only limit to size the one you choose. Below is a 19 circuit square labyrinth, but you can make one larger if you choose. Here are the sections of the post after this introduction:

PART 1: STEP BY STEP LABYRINTH DRAWING INSTRUCTIONS

PART 2: ADDITIONAL SIZES DISCUSSION

PART 1: STEP BY STEP LABYRINTH DRAWING INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: The starting seed pattern

The starting seed pattern to the right is based on an imaginary 6x6 box grid. This seed can become an 11 circuit labyrinth by following the typical construction steps (and it could be both a classic or a square labyrinth). The simple way to make a larger version is to extend the lines additional blocks in all directions to create a larger seed. See below (with 2 new levels making it a 10x10 grid):

11 circuit labyrinth seed pattern -how to draw an 11 circuit labyrinth part 1
19 circuit labyrinth seed pattern

Large seed pattern

Step 2: Connect the firstline to create the goal

Draw a boxed line from the top of the plus sign to the L directly to the right using that extends 1 grid high. This line will form what will become the goal of the labyrinth.

How to Draw an 11 Circuit Labyrinth, step 2

Step 3: Connect the next endpoint to the left to the next endpoint on the right

Every step from now on will be basically the same. Move one point to your left (moving counterclockwise) and connect that to the next point on the right (moving clockwise). In this case the large backwards L on the top left of the seed pattern to the small L on the top right of the seed.

How to Draw an 11 Circuit Labyrinth - Part 3

Steps 4-21: Connect the next endpoint to the left to the next endpoint on the right

I assume you have the pattern down to complete with only pictures with nice red lines. Follow the graphics to complete steps 4-20. Here is the Summary of the connections you will make starting from the seed:

11 Circuit labyrinth
how to make a 19 Circuit Square labyrinth steps 6-21

Steps 6 - 21

That completes the drawing of a massive 19 Circuit Square Labyrinth. And now you can go even bigger !

19 Circuit Square Labyrinth

19 Circuit Square Labyrinth

PART 2: ADDITIONAL SIZES DISCUSSION

Making a square labyrinth once you know the seed pattern and how to connect the ends is relatively easy. Here are the first 6 seed patterns and what size labyrinth they make. Each time you add a new layer to the seed you are adding 4 circuits. This is because a layer includes a back and forth on both sides of the structure.

Labyrinth Seed connection comparisons.

If you prefer more flexibility with the number of circuits, I suggest you use the large center alternative which allows you to make any number of circuits. Here is the same center, but made into 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 circuit labyrinth versions:

Square labyrinth 2-6 circuits

Normally this is where I add real world examples of labyrinths so you can see what you just learned done in practice in the real world. However, in my research, of the over 4K labyrinths in the US, the largest in terms of circuits is 15, and there are only 3 of them. Really any circuits over 11 are rare to find in the real world, but you can still draw them ! Here is a chart showing my research:

Labyrinths in the US by # of circuits
 

Additional blog posts you might enjoy:

10 of the Most Frequently asked Questions about Labyrinths, with Answers

The 8 best books about mazes, labyrinths and their history

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions for over 20 different versions.

How to Draw an 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth

Drawing an 11 circuit square labyrinth is fun once you learn the starting seed pattern and the rules of building the pathways. Follow this 13 step process and draw your own 11 circuit square labyrinth. You’ll notice that the square version is extremely similar to the regular (classical) version of the labyrinth in terms of making it.

I also want to show you an alternative 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth I made using a different construction method. This version has a large center goal (shown on the left below). If you prefer this version of the 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth these step by step directions can be adapted to make any size circuit. Simply read through step 2 and adjust based on your desired size ! Today I will be showing you how to make the version on the right !

11 Circuit Square labyrinth variant center.

Alternative Method - large center

11 circuit square labyrinth

Small goal - learn how to make here !

Here is what you will find in this post:

PART 1: STEP BY STEP LABYRINTH DRAWING INSTRUCTIONS

PART 2: THE LABYRINTH BEING MADE WITH GRIDS SHOWN

PART 3: MORE ALTERNATIVE LABYRINTH CONSTRUCTIONS

PART 4: REAL WORLD LABYRINTH EXAMPLES


PART 1: STEP BY STEP LABYRINTH DRAWING INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Draw the starting seed pattern

The starting seed pattern based on an imaginary 6x6 box grid. Start with a centered is a plus sign. Add L shapes one grid away from the plus sign in all 4 quadrants. Now add another L shape in all four quadrants one grid away from the previous L’s. Finally add a dot to each of the four corners. Basically, copy the seed the pattern you see here (notice this is the same as the regular version):

11 circuit square labyrinth seed pattern

Step 2: Connect the first connection to create the goal

Draw a boxed line from the top of the plus sign to the L directly to the right using that extends 1 grid high. This line will form what will become the goal of the labyrinth.

How to Draw an 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth, step 2

Step 3: Connect the next endpoint to the left to the next endpoint on the right

Every step from now on will be basically the same. Move one point to your left (moving counterclockwise) and connect that to the next point on the right (moving clockwise). In this case the large backwards L on the top left of the seed pattern to the small L on the top right of the seed.

How to Draw an 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth - Part 3

Step 4: Connect the next endpoint to the left to the next endpoint on the right

The small backwards L in the top left to the dot in the top right corner.

How to Draw an 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth - Part 4

Step 5: Connect the next endpoint to the left to the next endpoint on the right

The dot in the top right corner to the end of the small L in the top right corner.

How to Draw an 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth - Part 5

Steps 6 - 13: Connect the next endpoint to the left to the next endpoint on the right

I assume you have the pattern down to complete with only pictures with nice red lines. Follow the graphics to complete connections 5-12. Here is the Summary of the connections you will make starting from the seed:

Making an 11 Circuit Square labyrinth steps 6-13

Connections 5-12, Steps 6-13

That completes the drawing of an 11 circuit square labyrinth. If you are interested in a comparison of Classical, Square and Circular Labyrinths check this blog post out.

11 circuit square labyrinth
 

PART 2: THE LABYRINTH BEING MADE WITH GRIDS SHOWN

Nothing special here, just everything you just learned but shown with grids. Use the controls to build the labyrinth step by step. Notice that the labyrinth seed is placed low on the page but the labyrinth still ends up centered on the page,.


PART 3: MORE ALTERNATIVE LABYRINTH CONSTRUCTIONS

  • Right handed version: You just learned how to make a left handed square labyrinth. You can tell it is left handed because when you enter the first direction you move in is the left. To make a right handed version you flip the seed pattern and draw from right to left. Think of it as happening in a mirror.

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth right handed

  • Assorted section options: The labyrinth you just learned to draw has 1 section. You can also choose to draw the labyrinth in 2, 4 or 8 sections. I am sure 3, 5 etc. sections are possible, but the geometry of the square makes even numbers a natural fit. Here are what the 2, 4 and 8 sectioned labyrinths look like:

  • The Spiral Labyrinth: No step by step process needed for this. Start in the center and stop when you prefer. To fit with this post I made mine 11 circuits. Yes, spirals are typically circular, but they do not have to be.

11 circuit square spiral labyrinth
 

PART 4: REAL WORLD LABYRINTH EXAMPLES

Here are some 11 circuit square labyrinths you can find the the US:

  • The St. Benedict Church Labyrinth located in Hollister, CA has 11 circuits and is a Medieval style with unique places to sit and a + shaped center ! It has a 60 foot diameter and is located in the courtyard of the church.

  • There are not many 11 circuits to choose from so I will instead show you the Hunter Presbyterian Church Labyrinth in Lexington, KY. It is only 9 circuits, but is Roman style, yet another new shape to consider !

I think if you made it this far in the post you will want to read this one too:

Weekly Hard Maze #20

Each Saturday I post a new hard maze with all of them sitting in the Hard Maze Archive. I will try to post a variety of maze types to keep things interesting.

Weekly Hard Maze #20 - Pipes Maze

This is a double pipe maze. It combines a heart and a fish in the plumbing ! Solution will be in the archive. Download is below.

Weekly Hard Maze #20 - Pipes Maze
download the pipe maze

If you solved that maze quickly and want to try some of my archival hard mazes, these posts should do the trick:

One Maze - Many designs - experiment #19

This is a continuation of my maze design experiments. Read about it in post #1, One Maze - Many designs, and so on with a new post every Friday.

The original maze:

Simple Maze

I used Inkscape and played with layers again this week, but added some colors. 2 of these I really like, let’s see if you agree.

  • The first maze I did a grey background while layering the maze from darker to lighter colors. I like this one!

  • The second maze is a similar concept but using blues to give it more color interest. I prefer the greys !

  • The third maze I made all of the walls white over a blurred black wall to give it a faint black glow. I think it looks cool.

  • The fourth maze takes the 3rd maze and gives it a blue ombre centered blue background.

  • The fifth maze takes the 3rd and gives it a yellow to dark yellow ombre background.

The third and first mazes are my favorites. The glow of black under white gives it a unique look.