Americana Mazes - Mazes that celebrate the USA

May 28, 2023

Usually I create my maze collections with a theme in mind. I make a group of animal mazes or number mazes or name mazes. But now, since I have done my daily mazes for a few years I have the ability to be able to gather groups of mazes that fit into a theme. Today I am going to do just that by gathering together some of my Americana Mazes. A little bit of history, a little bit of holidays and a little bit of things I associate with the USA, all in maze form. I hope you enjoy !

My Top 10 Americana Mazes

The best place to start is with the flag. I have made a few different versions of the United States Flag Maze. This version is an on-line version, so you solve it by traveling on the line rather than between them like normal !

And of course, one of my most popular mazes and one that I use a lot, the Bald Eagle Maze. It is very difficult to solve. I used a vertical maze construction for the head and a horizontal for the beak. I hope you enjoy it !

Two of my most favorite mazes to make (and I like how they look) were these US coin mazes. Here are my Penny Maze featuring Mr. Lincoln and the US Quarter Maze with George Washington. Both are medium difficulty.

US Penny Maze — Penny Maze

download penny maze

US Quarter maze — US Quarter Maze

download quarter maze

Then we have our American sports. Definitely the leader here is football, and for some of you ‘American Football’. Hope you like this Football Maze. But the game it surpassed has been played for a long time and still has many fans so I made a Baseball Maze, or a softball maze depending on your perspective.

And how about a bit of history with this Alamo Maze. Now I have replaced this with a much more detailed maze art version that I prefer, but this one below is for kids.

The Alamo Maze for kids — The Alamo kids Maze

download alamo maze

And of course a Lady Liberty Maze belongs in this collection. Or maybe more accurately, a maze of her wrist and torch. Very easy to solve.

Statue of Liberty Torch Maze

download liberty torch

You thought we were done with money ? Nope. George Washington returns for this US Dollar Bill Maze. Medium-easy difficulty but fun to solve !

And let’s end where we began, with another version of the US Flag Maze. This in a more traditional maze format.

download us flag maze

I specialize in making maze art, mostly of buildings and signs. If you love mazes, check out my home page where I feature a new maze each week !

More posts you may like:

The 10 Most Famous Labyrinths from Around the World

Discovering 7 of the World's Most Interesting Mazes

What I learned using AI to make maze art

6 Creative Ways to Use Mazes: It's Not Just Solving !

May 27, 2023

When you think about mazes what comes to mind ? For most people I think it is a black and white maze on a piece of paper in front of them to solve with a writing utensil. For a few people they might think of physical mazes like a hedge maze or a corn maze that can make for a fun outing. I think about mazes a lot and have come up with a few new ideas for types of mazes and even wrote an 11 part series (post #1) showing my experiments. You can see all 11 in this post: EXPERIMENTAL MAZES REVIEW. Today I want to consider other creative ways to use mazes.

6 Creative ways to use mazes

1. Use the solving of a maze as a team-building exercise, where participants must work together to find their way out. For a workplace this would mean using a large maze that would take one person a long time to solve on their own that could be solved much faster wit some teamwork.. A good team would have one person solving from each direction, both from the start and goal, while other people could be marking dead end pathways so they are never taken in the middle portion of the maze.

2. Use a maze as a fun and challenging activity for kids by having maze races. I have mentioned this before and in the right situation this could be fun for a classroom (let’s be honest - it could also be a disaster). HOW TO RACE MAZES - RULES, AND IDEAS FOR MAZE COMPETITIONS. If the kids have some friends over, if it is an inside day (rain?) instead of sitting them in front of the television/videogames opt for a boardgame or some maze races !

3. Use a framed maze as decoration instead of a painting. There are 2 ways to do this. One is the standard black and white maze which would give you a modern look, while the second is using some of my maze art for a more standard look. I used Starryai to create what a maze museum would look like (gallery below) and I added a few of my favorite maze art I think would look good framed on a wall. A subset of this, slightly different, but not enough for it’s own line, use a maze as décor in a photoshoot.

4. Add a maze to your garden landscaping. When you think of outdoor mazes you probably think of very large hedge mazes in public places that take years to grow and a lot of gardeners to maintain. But, you can also scale this down to a personal garden. You can use flowers, edible plants, and local grasses to create a maze. If you want to get really fancy and ambitious add a knot garden. They do not need to be as fancy as this one at the Hatfield House. Another variation of this is by adding a labyrinth to your property with a company that specializes in it.

The Knot Garden at Hatfield House — flickr - **Jayembee69**

5. Use a maze as a clue/quest in a real world game. This could be any number of types of games. A scavenger hunt that includes a maze (physical) with clues along the way or at the exit. A scavenger hunt with a paper maze with multiple exits with different clues, but only a solved maze leads to the correct clue. An escape room as many clues that need to be solved to exit. Incorporate a maze as one of them. Honestly combining an escape room with a hedge maze would be cool but that wouldn’t be a room would it ? A corn maze with clues and obstacles might be a better version of the idea. The Evionnaz Adventure Labyrinth in Switzerland contains obstacles in the maze. You can get a sense of them here:

6. Use a maze for protection. Well there had to be one wild suggestion. Remember when castles were surrounded by moats to help prevent attacks from invading armies ? Couldn’t you do the same thing with a maze built of a solid material ? If the army could climb the walls they become easy targets. If the maze is boobytrapped Indiana Jones style the same for troops in the maze. I could even see it being flooded to repel attacks or lit on fire. This could be a movie…?

Mazes aren’t just for solving sitting at a desk ! What are some other ways mazes could be used ?

From Crete to Hogwarts: 7 Famous Mazes in Literature

May 25, 2023

Today we explore the fascinating world of mazes in literature. From the ancient labyrinth of Crete to the magical maze of Hogwarts, mazes have captured the imagination of readers for centuries. In this post, we'll take a closer look at seven famous mazes in literature and the stories behind them. Let's explore the twists and turns of these literary labyrinths.

7 Famous Mazes in Literature:

1. Greek Mythology (AMZN): All discussions of mazes in literature must start in Greece. The ancient Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur took place in a labyrinth. King Minos was upset because his son, Androgeus, did so well at the Pan-Athenian games, he was assassinated. He sent his fleet to Athens, and demanded the assassins be turned over, but nobody knew who did it. Theseus volunteered to go to Crete as one of the sacrifices to the Minotaur. The king's daughter (Ariadne) fell in love with Theseus and gave him a clue to the labyrinth so that he would succeed, which of course he did. In addition to books the story has been made into movies and graphic novels.

Theseus and the minotaur comic book cover

2. The Maze Runner (AMZN): The Maze Runner series by James Dashner starts with an elevator bringing a teenage boy to the middle of plain surrounded by a very high walls. We soon learn that the walls actually house a massive maze, which a group of trapped teenage boys must escape. The maze is filled with dangerous creatures and constantly changing walls and serves as the central plot device in the story first part of the series. The movies have some of the best maze themed movie posters.

3. The Shining (AMZN): I consider this the best maze movie of all time, directed by the great Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson. The book was released in 1977 it was written by the great Stephen King, giving him his first major bestseller. The story features a hedge maze at the end that serves to increase the panic of the characters and the suspense for the audience.

4. Jorge Luis Borges' works (AMZN): Jorge Luis Borges, a blind Argentinian librarian, is known for his mind-bending micro-fictions that play with the concept of mazes and he probably deserves his own blog post on the topic. He chose Labyrinths as the descriptive title for this English-language selection of his best stories and essays, where he imagines tortuous labyrinths, metafictional labyrinths, and a vast labyrinth without walls; ‘The Library of Babel’ presents a maze-like universe, and ‘The Garden of Forking Paths’ imagines infinitely dividing parallel universes. I also like the use a mirror maze on his Labyrinth book cover:

5. The Palace of Laughter (AMZN): I knew I just had to include a book for children. Written by Jon Berkeley, The Palace of Laughter is a children's book about a boy named Miles Wednesday who enters a magical world called Eldritch City. In Eldritch City, there is a maze that is said to lead to a palace of laughter. Miles and his friends must navigate the maze to find the palace and save the city from an evil ruler. Good news - if you enjoy the book it i spart 1 in a series of 3 !

6. House of Leaves (AMZN): Written by Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves is a horror novel that tells the story of a family who moves into a house that is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. The house contains a maze-like structure that is constantly changing and growing, and the characters must navigate it to uncover the secrets of the house. I like that the book cover is a mix of maze imagery with the spiral shell.

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (AMZN). By J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series. The novel begins with Harry having a dream about the murder of a Muggle by Voldemort. Harry, Ron, and Hermione then return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their fourth year. Harry's name is mysteriously entered into the Triwizard Tournament, a dangerous competition between three wizarding schools. And one of those challenges is the Triwizard maze. As Harry competes in the tournament, he discovers a plot to bring Voldemort back to power. The book is filled with action, adventure, and mystery as Harry and his friends try to uncover the truth and stop Voldemort's return.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book cover

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie poster

The books above were written over many centuries and many have been adapted into successful movies. Whether you're a fan of ancient mythology or modern literature, there's no denying the allure of a good maze. So the next time you find yourself lost in a book, remember the twists and turns of these literary labyrinths and enjoy the journey.

You may also like:

THE BEST BOOKS ABOUT MAZES AND LABYRINTHS (THAT AREN'T ACTUALLY MAZE BOOKS)

5 BOOKS ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF LABYRINTHS

Maze Construction - 5 Maze Design Decisions Make All the Difference

May 24, 2023

I’ve taken the time to look at 40 different maze constructions, giving you step by step Instructions on how to make each type. I had a fun time with the project but wanted to expand on the subject with a more detailed look at what the key differences are between each type. Also, in my old job I spent like 90% of my time making spreadsheets and this is a perfect time to break one out ! No V or XLOOKUPS though.

First let’s define a few common maze terms:

Start - Where you begin a maze from.
Goal - Where you need to arrive at to properly solve the maze.
Wall - The portion of the maze that creates uncross-able boundaries
Pathway / Paths - What you travel along in the maze to solve it, typically the place between walls
Outline - The outer wall of the maze or border. Can be a simple shape or something more complex like a picture.

So what are the key items that set the Maze constructions apart from one another ? I believe there are 5.

5 Maze Design Decisions that Differentiate Maze Constructions:

Where the maze starts
What type of pathways/walls the maze uses
Does the maze have an outline
Are there any conditions you need to follow to solve it
What is the purpose/goal of the maze

While there are other things that differentiate between mazes, these are the core 5 items. Let’s take a look at each one with some examples.

Where the Maze Starts
I believe there are 5 categories of how you might start a maze:

Border Start
Internal Start
Undefined location
Multiple locations
Specialty options

I would say that most mazes start at the border of the maze on the outside of the main maze structure. Essentially at the border you find an Arrow directing you into the structure or the word Start. But, there are more options. The internal start is the next most common. Escape mazes, by definition start inside the maze, but Arrow Mazes and Slide Arrow Mazes also start internally within the maze border. Block Arrow Mazes. Number Mazes, and Letter Mazes can also start internally depending on how you structure your maze. The third main start is the undefined start, usually with an undefined goal, meaning the start is either not known to you or it is selectable. A good example is the Dual Entrance/Exit Maze where you select the direction you wish to solve the maze in. While a Start/Goal type Arrow Maze gives you 2 options and you need to discover which is the start and which is the goal ! Finally we have 2 special cases, the Line Leads Maze where the start is a variety of multiple options, and the Pipe Maze construction where the start is the faucet handle (not really internal or border, but kind of both). Read about 9 common Options for Starting and Ending a Maze.

Here are examples of each type:

Ohio state maze — Start at the **border** of the maze

dual emtrance maze — **Undefined Start** - You choose the start and the goal

arrow maze — **Undefined Start** - Start / Goal Arrow Maze - You determine which is which !!

Ohio state shaped pipe maze — **Specialty Start -** Faucet Start

Line leads spider maze — **Multiple starting options** - Line Leads Maze

What type of Paths/Walls it Uses

I believe there are 5 categories of how you might construct pathways and walls:

Walled Pathway
Gridded Specialty
Grid Walls
On line Pathway
Specialty pathways

The paths are integral in the construction of any maze. The thing about paths is they are created usually by drawing walls. They really don’t exist without the other. The maze you are picturing in your head is probably the most popular pathway, the walled path, typically a line. Those lines create walls that you travel between. The next most popular pathway is the gridded specialty structure. It encompasses all of the maze types that use box grids to house the maze. Think of Arrow, Slide Arrow, Number, Letter and Puzzle Mazes. Each uses a grid pattern to house specialty symbols/items that dictate how you may move. Finally, the standard grid wall structure. A regular grid wall structure allows movement in a more typical way, through cuts in the walls to create a pathway. The last common pathway is the on line pathway. In this type you travel on the line, so that there are no walls. This exists for On-Line, Line Leads, Conditional Path, and Directional Mazes. The last group are a variety of specialty paths each unique to 1 or 2 maze types. 2 specialty paths share the common design of weaving, the Pipe maze and the Weaving maze., each which allow the solver to move over and under the other pathways! Additional specialty mazes include Pattern Mazes which will vary in their pathways based on the pattern you are mazing. Object Mazes use objects for walls, creating unique pathways. Draw and Cut mazes are similar in that the pathways reflect whatever is is you have drawn. For additional reading, I did a blog post about the 12 most common pathway types: Maze Pathway options.

Let’s look at some examples for each:

Pipes Ohio maze — **Specialty Path -** Weaving

Smile maze — **Specialty Path -** Weaving

Ohio names maze — **Specialty Pathway** - Objects (words in this case)

Square cut maze — **Specialty Pathway** - Draw and Cut

Does the Maze Have an Outline

As far as constructions go this is pretty simple because it is a Yes/No answer. Bordered mazes are the standard with defined outer edges common to determine the shape and size of the solvable maze. However, some mazes have less structure. Think about a Weaving Maze and a Pipe Maze. Neither has a defined border as you travel in pathways which create the structure of the maze. Non-bordered mazes are also easy to see with Line Leads Mazes, where the squiggly lines make the structure chaotic. Some Mazes have defined structures, but no real border like a Math maze. You could make a math maze in a defined bordered structure, but it is not pertinent to solving.

Are there any Conditions you need to follow to solve it

Most mazes are rather straightforward in how they are solved, but there can be a LOT of variety in the conditions. So the answer is either Yes or No, but the Yes has a huge amount of different conditions ! Let’s start with a standard maze which has No conditions to solving. The solver enters the maze, travels in it, then exits at the goal. That is the normal flow of most mazes. But sometimes there are conditions. A common clue is that if the maze comes with directions it is most likely conditional. Let’s look at a few: Solve the Puzzle to Move can describe many conditional mazes generally like a Block Move Maze. A Block Move Maze requires you to find a path between the start and goal by finding and moving the appropriate blocks to create a path. There are rules on how those blocks may move. A Puzzle Maze requires you to solve the puzzle to move correctly. A Number Maze requires you to choose the correct given numbers to move correctly. Same for a Letter Maze. A Conditional Path maze is by definition part of this as the puzzle you need to solve determines your movement. Likewise a Directional Maze (like a left turn only maze). Next is the Non Repeating Path condition. This is commonly used in a Find Items Maze and a Go & Return Maze. Each or these maze constructions require you to visit places in the maze before exiting, but the path you take may not backtrack from the way you came. Finally there is the Allowable Movement maze types. For me this includes Arrow Mazes and Slide Arrow mazes where movement thru the maze includes options on WHERE to go, but not HOW you may move. For more examples check out my blog on the 11 most common conditions: Conditional Pathway options

Let’s look at some examples:

Go and Return Ohio maze — **Non-repeating Path**

What is the purpose/goal of the maze

I believe there are 5 categories for the purpose of a maze

Reach the Goal
Escape the Maze
Solve a Puzzle
Specialty purposes
Unsolvable mazes

This answers the question - What are you trying to do in order to solve the maze ? The most basic purpose of a maze is also the most common, to reach the goal. While you may think this is the case for all mazes, here are a few other options: Escape the maze - this is of course used for the Escape Maze, where you start inside the maze and your goal is to escape the outer border. There are also instances where the purpose of the maze is to Solve a Puzzle. This includes a Hidden Trail Message Maze where the act of solving the maze creates a message for the solver. It also includes the Find Items Maze type where reaching the goal is only half of correctly solving the maze, you must also find certain items along the way ! Finally there are some Specialty purposes that only apply to 1 or 2 maze types per instance. Like the Math Maze whose purpose isn’t really to reach the goal or solve the puzzle, but you do each in order to learn mathematics ! And there is the specialty maze that should be used only for April Fool’s Day, the Unsolvable Maze. Or you made a mistake when you designed it, oops.

Hidden Trail Maze — **Solve a Puzzle** - Hidden Message Trail Maze

Hidden message maze — **Specialty** - Hidden Message Maze

So these are my 5 Maze Design Decisions that Differentiate Maze Constructions with examples. I have taken the time to summarize each of the 40 maze constructions based on these 5 criteria. Check out the chart below. Yellow highlights are on things that are not typical for a particular category.

Of the 40 mazes construction types, if we select the most common type for each of the 5 most common characteristics how many maze types are included ? So this would mean a maze that:

Starts at the border
Has walled pathways
Has an outline
Is NOT conditional to solve
And whose purpose is simply to reach the goal

That leaves us with 12 closely related mazes out of 40. And, if we wanted to add a 6th differentiator, the differences between these 12 mazes are generally HOW the walls/pathways are drawn. Happy maze designing !