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):

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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:

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:

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 !

Alternative Method - large center

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):

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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,.

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 1

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 2

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 3

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 4

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 5

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 6

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 7

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 8

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 9

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 10

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 11

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 12

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth with grids - Part 13

11 Circuit Square Labyrinth - Part 14

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.

• 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:

11 circuit square labyrinth in 2 sections

11 circuit square labyrinth in 4 sections

11 circuit square labyrinth in 8 sections

• 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.

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:

• A Comparison of 5 different types of 11 Circuit Labyrinths - Compares classical, square, circular, hexagonal and octagonal labyrinths. Once you learn how to make a labyrinth this can help you make aesthetic design decisions.
  
  If you prefer making other labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions for over 20.

How to Draw a 9 Circuit Square Labyrinth

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

The 8 best books about mazes, labyrinths and their history

How to Draw a 3 Circuit Square Labyrinth

Drawing a classical 3 circuit square labyrinth is both easy and fun once you learn the starting pattern and the rules of building the pathways. Follow this simple 5 step process and draw your own 3 circuit classical square labyrinth.

Before we get into the step by step process let’s look at the 2 different square labyrinth versions you can learn in this post. The main difference between the 2 options are the size of the center goal. The walls, pathways and circuits are all basically the same. The small center version also is not a symmetrical square. The 2 labyrinths use different seed patterns. Personally I prefer the right, perfectly square version. We will learn how to make that first in Parts 1/2.

Here is the structure of blog post:

PART 1: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (LARGE CENTER VERSION)

PART 2: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (GRIDS SHOWN)

PART 3: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (SMALL CENTER VERSION)

PART 4: MAKING AN ALTERNATIVE SQUARE LABYRINTH (GRIDS SHOWN)

PART 5: REAL WORLD LABYRINTH EXAMPLES

PART 1: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (LARGE CENTER VERSION)

Step 1: Draw the starting seed pattern.

The starting seed pattern for this labyrinth is not the typical plus sign you may be used to. Instead it is 3 vertical lines, with 2 horizontal lines. The horizontal line on the left aligns with the bottom of the 3 vertical lines, while on the right side it aligns with the top of the vertical lines. Each line is the same length. See below:

3 Circuit Labyrinth Square starting seed pattern

Step 2: Draw the center goal

At the 2 rightmost vertical lines draw a line up one grid. This will become the opening to the center goal. Draw a square centered on top of this. Grid-wise this is a 3x3 square.

3 Circuit Square Labyrinth - Step 2 - Draw the Goal

Step 3: Draw the next level

Connect the top of the remaining left vertical line to the far corner of the right horizontal line. It is an upside-down squared U shape started with a small horizontal move on the left side. See below.

3 Circuit Labyrinth - Step 3 - Draw the next arch

Step 4: Draw the next level

Connect the left side of the horizontal line around the structure clockwise until it reaches the end of the rightmost vertical line. Again this creates an upside-down square U shape plus a horizontal connection in the last section. See below.

3 Circuit Square Labyrinth - Step 4 - Draw the next arch

Step 5: Connect the final arch from the left

Connect the ends of the bottoms of the final 2 vertical lines around the structure to complete the labyrinth.

3 Circuit Square Labyrinth - Step 5 - Draw the final arch

That does it. The final 3 circuit classical square labyrinth after 5 easy steps !!!

3 circuit classical square labyrinth

PART 2: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (GRIDS SHOWN)

And here is the same labyrinth shown being made with grids so you can understand the shape better. Use the controls to build the labyrinth step by step.

PART 3: MAKING A SQUARE LABYRINTH (SMALL CENTER VERSION)

Alternative construction option: You have the option to use the more traditional starting seed pattern to create a 3 circuit square labyrinth, but this is not the most common construction. This version does not have a large square center and ends up not even being a perfect square. Here is the 5 step process to create it.

PRO TIP: this is the same construction and instructions as a 3 circuit classical shaped labyrinth but instead of curving the corners you draw the lines and corners at 90 degree angles !

Step 1: Draw the starting seed pattern.

The starting seed pattern is a plus sign with four dots in each of the four corners in the space apart from the lines to form pattern below.

Step 2: Connect the first “arch”

Draw an upside -down U shaped line from the top of the plus sign to the dot in the top right corner of the starting pattern. The top of the arch should peak halfway between those two points. This line will form what will become the goal of the labyrinth.

Step 3: Connect the next “arch” from the left

Draw an upside down U shaped line from the left corner dot to the end point on the right side of the plus sign. Space the line an equal distance from the wall to the inside. Notice that you have moved one point to the left and connected that to the next point on the right.

Step 4: Connect the next “arch” from the left

Draw another clockwise line from the end point of the left side of the plus sign around to the dot on the bottom right side of the pattern (Again, the next on the left to the next on the right). Space the line an equal distance from the wall to the inside as you draw the line. Again this looks like an upside-down U plus the connections to the appropriate ends.

Step 5: Connect the next “arch” from the left

Same process as before but this time you connect the bottom left dot from the seed to the bottom of the plus sign.

That completes the process for this alternative version.

PART 4: MAKING AN ALTERNATIVE SQUARE LABYRINTH (GRIDS SHOWN)

And here is the same labyrinth shown being made with grids so you can understand the shape better. Use the controls to build the labyrinth step by step.

PART 5: REAL WORLD LABYRINTH EXAMPLES

Here are some examples of some 3 circuit square labyrinths you can find in the US:

• The North Parish Unitarian Universalist Church Labyrinth is located in North Andover, MA and is a contemporary labyrinth version. This labyrinth is made with pavers and looks great.

• The Kapp and Kappy B&B – Violet’s Venom Brewery Labyrinth is located in Kissimmee, FL and uses the large center version you learned to make in parts 1/2 of this post. This one is also made of brick pavers.

If you are interested in more real world labyrinths, I did a large research project about labyrinths in the USA. If you are interested in knowing things like what the largest labyrinth is in the US, where the Northernmost, Southernmost labyrinths are in the US, and similar questions (about 30), it is worth a read: Questions about US Labyrinths Answered.

Other posts you may like:

The 8 best books about mazes, labyrinths and their history

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

The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Maze