10 Secrets about Mazes

10 Secrets About Mazes

Mazes have fascinated and challenged people for centuries. They are fun, challenging, and can be a great way to learn about problem-solving and navigation. But there's more to mazes than meets the eye. Here are 11 secrets about mazes that you may not know:

  1. Mazes were originally used for religious purposes. The earliest known mazes were found in Crete and date back to the Bronze Age. These mazes were thought to be sacred places where people could connect with the gods.

  2. Mazes were also used as initiation rituals. In many cultures, young people were required to complete a maze as part of their coming-of-age ceremony. This was seen as a test of courage, strength, and intelligence.

  3. Mazes were used as a defense against invaders. Some cities and castles were built with mazes in their walls. This made it difficult for enemies to find their way through and attack. The maze of Limanu in Romania is believed to have been ordered by a local Geto-Dacian authority as a defense measure against the Romans

  4. Mazes are still used today for entertainment and education. Mazes can be found in amusement parks, cornfields, and even museums. They are a fun and challenging way to spend an afternoon.

  5. Mazes can be used to teach problem-solving skills. Mazes can help people learn how to think critically and solve problems. They can also help people develop their spatial reasoning skills.

  6. Mazes can be used to improve navigation skills. Mazes can help people learn how to read maps and navigate their way around new environments.

  7. Mazes can be used to reduce stress. Studies have shown that spending time in a maze can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

  8. Mazes can be used to improve memory. Studies have shown that people who spend time in a maze are better able to remember information.

  9. Mazes can be used to improve creativity. Studies have shown that spending time in a maze can help to improve people's creativity.

  10. Mazes can be used to promote physical activity. Mazes can help people to get exercise and stay active. The largest hedge maze in the world, the Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze located in Yancheng, Jiangsu, China, has a pathway almost 6 miles long !

So, next time you find yourself in a maze, remember that you're not just having fun. You're also learning, improving your skills, and reducing your stress levels.

5 Tips for navigating mazes

Here are a few tips to help you navigate mazes more easily:

  • Start at the center of the maze. This will give you a better sense of the layout of the maze and make it easier to find your way out.

  • Keep track of your turns. As you walk through the maze, make a mental note of which direction you turn. This will help you avoid getting lost.

  • Look for landmarks. As you walk through the maze, pay attention to any landmarks that you can use to orient yourself. This could be anything from a tree to a statue.

  • Don't be afraid to backtrack. If you get lost, don't be afraid to backtrack to a point where you were sure of your direction.

  • Take your time. There's no need to rush through a maze. Take your time and enjoy the experience.

With these tips in mind, you'll be sure to find your way out of any maze in no time.

Maze of the Week #132 - Minotaur

Maze of the Week #132 features the face of a Minotaur. So it could also be a bull since you don’t see the body. It can be either - you decide. I made this to celebrate the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain which takes place on July 7-14.

Here was my preview image.

Minotaur line outline

Here is the first version of the maze. A brown minotaur with a purple glow.

Minotaur Maze

And the alternative version in red and the addition of a nose ring.

Red Minotaur Maze

Downloads are available in the comic book style maze section. Come back tomorrow to see what the comic book cover looks like !

Next weeks Maze Preview: Back to the water

Maze Preview

5 Labyrinths to Visit in Nebraska

Nebraska might not have as many labyrinths as other states, but they do have some nice ones! I have selected 5 of the best (there are about 20) that are accessible to the public from around the state, focusing on large population areas. If you want a full list of labyrinths in the state check out the Worldwide Labyrinth Finder.


Why visit a Labyrinth ?

Labyrinths are ancient and mysterious symbols that have been used for centuries for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual renewal. They are also a lot of fun to explore! If you're looking for a unique and challenging experience, walk a labyrinth with intention - it often leads to self-discovery. Personally, I like to walk labyrinths between dawn and sunrise or at sunset until dusk, but any time of day works. You may not realize it, but there is probably a labyrinth near where you live. Today we explore…


5 Labyrinths to Visit in nebraska


1. Sheridan Lutheran Church Labyrinth

This 7 circuit labyrinth is in the St Paul style. The church’s labyrinth webpage includes a labyrinth brochure, tips for walking with children and an over 7 minute audio introduction for the labyrinth. Great stuff !

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

Address:
6955 Old Cheney Road
Lincoln, Nebraska 68516
United States

2. First Central Congregational Church Labyrinth

This is a painted concrete full sized Chartres replica labyrinth. It is located on the church patio with lighting available after dark. The labyrinth is painted blue and you can read about the re-paint in this article which has a link to the church Facebook page that has a time lapse video of the labyrinth work.

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Address:

421 South 36th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68131-3899
United States



3. First Presbyterian Church Labyrinth

This contemporary concrete rectangular labyrinth is made from concrete and features a cross in the design. It is on the 8th street side of the church right off the sidewalk. It has 2 entrances/exits. You can see it on this street view.

Location: St. Paul, Nebraska

Address:

816 Indian Street
St. Paul, Nebraska 68873
United States


4. First United Methodist Church Labyrinth

 

A large 81 foot diameter Chartres replica 11 circuit labyrinth. On Google Maps it is called the Alpha Omega Labyrinth. It is made from crushed rocks with a brick outline.

Location: North Platte, Nebraska

Address:
651 S Sherman Ave
North Platte, Nebraska 69101
United States

5. Yanney Heritage Park Labyrinth

A Chartres replica labyrinth located in the city park. You can plan your trip on the park website, and from the drone footage above this seems like a great day !

Location: Kearney, Nebraska

Address:

West 11th Street
Kearney, Nebraska 68845
United States


5 TIPS FOR VISITING A LABYRINTH

  1. Set an intention for your walk so you can walk with purpose. It could be prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, or openness.

  2. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.

  3. Bring water with you, especially if you are visiting on a hot day.

  4. Take your time and enjoy the experience. There is no need to rush through a labyrinth.

  5. Be respectful of other visitors. This includes not making noise and being respectful if walking with other people.


5 BOOKS TO READ ABOUT LABYRINTH WALKING

I wrote a blog post reviewing the following 5 books, each that deals with walking labyrinths. You can check them out yourself at the Amazon links below or read this blog post: 5 Books about the Spiritual Aspect of Labyrinths to learn a little about what each book teaches.

  1. Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool by Dr. Lauren Artress 201 pages. AMZN

  2. Labyrinth : Your Path to Self-Discovery by Tony Christie 312 pages. AMZN

  3. Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide For Healing and Spiritual Growth by Melissa Gayle West 209 pages AMZN

  4. Walking the Labyrinth: A Place to Pray and Seek God by Travis Scholl 240 pages AMZN

  5. Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight by Rev Dr Donna Schaper and Rev Dr Carole Ann Camp 187 pages AMZN

If you are interested in more spiritual labyrinth aspects I suggest the following websites:

  1. Lauren Artress website - For coaching, workshops and classes.

  2. Veriditas - The nonprofit labyrinth group founded by Lauren Artress

  3. Worldwide Labyrinth Finder - Find a labyrinth to walk near you, or while on vacation


I am a maze artist but I have never made any mazes from Nebraska. If you have suggestions - drop me a note. Otherwise here are some mazes of famous buildings:

Taj Mahal Maze

The Louvre Maze

Templo de Sangre de Cristo Maze

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Maze