I’ve shown you how to draw square labyrinths using the same seed pattern as the classical labyrinth. Today I will take you through the steps to draw a 9 Circuit Square Labyrinth that has a large square center. In practice this could become a place for meditation or ceremony if built in the real world. Follow this 7 step process and make your own ! You also have the option to make this without the large center square. To see how to do that you can read - How to Draw an 11 Circuit Square Labyrinth and adjust the # of circuits.
Here are the sections of this post:
PART 1: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (GRIDS SHOWN)
PART 2: ALTERNATIVE CONSTRUCTION
PART 3: REAL WORLD LABYRINTH EXAMPLES
PART 1: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (GRIDS SHOWN)
Step 1: Draw the center goal
Draw a box in the center of your paper with a one unit opening at the bottom. To help guide your future lines make a box to represent the outline of the labyrinth size you would like to make. Mine is green, but note that this will be deleted at the end, so color does not matter.
Note: IF you are using a grid, and I suggest you do, the walls of the green square should allow for 9 lines between the edge and the center goal. The total size of the grid network is 21 x 21 when you include the center goal.
Pro Tip: The math on the grid size being 21 x 21 is 9 circuits on one side + 3 grids for the goal + 9 circuits on the other side = 21 grids needed. If you are making a 15 circuit square square labyrinth you can use the same method shown here the guide grid would need to be 15 + 3 + 15 = a 33 x 33 grid. Follow all the steps below and you will create the same style labyrinth but larger !
Step 2: Draw the Outer Wall
Draw a the outer wall using the left path from the center, drawing to all way down to the edge and then moving around counterclockwise. Stop when you get one unit away from the edge line as you move around the entire box.
Step 3: Make the next internal line
Repeat the same step as above using the right side of the goal, leaving one unit of distance between this and the previous line to create a pathway. End the line one unit short of the previous line just above it.
Step 4: Make the next internal line
From here on out the process will repeat. Go back to the previous line you made and make a counterclockwise wall around the labyrinth, keeping one unit from the previous line. Notice this includes moving around the center goal.
Step 5: Make the next internal line
Same as above with the next line.
Step 6: Make the next internal line
Same as above with the next line.
Step 7: Make the next internal line
Same as above with the next line. If everything has been done correctly this is the final line.
Step 8: Clean it up
Delete the background guide and the grids and enjoy your new square labyrinth !
That completes the drawing of a 9 Circuit Square Labyrinth.
9 Circuit Square Labyrinth
PART 2: ALTERNATIVE CONSTRUCTION
The above version is one of many versions of the 9 circuit labyrinth you may find. You may also break the labyrinth into sections similar to concentric circle labyrinths. Here is a 4 sectioned square version as an example (it happens to be an 11 circuit, but the concept remains the same):
Although I did not construct them here as an example, with some work you could make many different number of sections. Here is an example using circular labyrinths that could be adapted to squares (although I would not suggest odd numbers because of the shape). We have already seen 1 and 4 sections (above) and could easily make 2 and 8 section versions.
I think most people would consider it a different category of labyrinth, but there is a square spiral labyrinth also (yes they are typically circular). Here is a 9 circuit square spiral labyrinth. It is easy to make. Start in the center and work your way out until you reach the desired size !
PART 3: REAL WORLD LABYRINTH EXAMPLES
Here is an example of a 9 circuit square labyrinth you can find in the US:
The Hunter Presbyterian Church Labyrinth in Lexington, KY is a 9 circuit square labyrinth in a Roman Style made from painted concrete.
These are all well made square labyrinths with less than 9 circuits:
The St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church Labyrinth in South San Francisco, CA is a 7 circuit Medieval square labyrinth made with brock pavers.
The New American Castle Labyrinth from Middlefield, MA is a wonderful 50 foot diameter 7 circuit labyrinth that features the small center variation. It is a classical labyrinth, also made with brick pavers.
The St. John’s Preparatory School Labyrinth in Danvers, MA features 6 circuits and has a larger center goal. It is 33 foot in diameter and made with pavers.
Additional blog posts you may like:
A Comparison of 3 different types of 11 Circuit Labyrinths
10 of the Most Frequently asked Questions about Labyrinths, with Answers