Definition of a Labyrinth
A Labyrinth is an ancient symbol which was born sometime in the Bronze Age (approximately 2300-700 BCE). Labyrinths could be a one dimensional object, (art or jewelry), or three dimensional architectural structures or plantings. It represents wholeness in that it is a journey to our center and back out again into the world. A Labyrinth should not be confused with a maze. A maze is like a puzzle to be solved. It has twists, turns, and blind alleys. A Labyrinth is a unicursal path, i.e. one way in and one way out, teaching centeredness.
Prehistoric Labyrinths are believed to have served either as traps for malevolent spirits or as defined paths for ritual dances. During Medieval times, the Labyrinth symbolized a hard path to God with a clearly defined center and one entrance. Labyrinths can be thought of as symbolic form of pilgrimage; people can walk the path, ascending towards salvation or enlightenment. Pilgrimage is both a communal event and a private act of transformation. Walking the Labyrinth with others reminds us that we are all on the path together, each in our own way. Medieval people simply could not afford to travel to holy sites and lands, so the use of Labyrinths and prayer substituted that need. Later, the religious significance of Labyrinths faded and they were used primarily for entertainment, although recently their spiritual aspect has seen a resurgence.
Today itÕs walked mainly for meditation, a sense of inner peace and as a tool for peace and guidance in this troubled world. By walking the Labyrinth, you can trace the path of your life on earth, beginning with birth at the entrance and ending with death at the center. The way out symbolizes rebirth. According to an American mythologist, the labyrinth resists our attempts at definition as do all great symbols and archetypes. The Labyrinth speaks to us not directly but via the language of poetry, through metaphor and multiple layers of truth.
Like life and destiny, a Labyrinth may be a long journey but it has a specific beginning and a specific end.
Labyrinth ni ishara ya kale ambayo ilitokea wakati fulani katika Enzi ya Shaba (karibu 2300-700 KK). Labyrinths inaweza kuwa kitu moja ya kipimo, (sanaa au vito), au tatu ya kipimo miundo ya usanifu au kupanda. "Hiyo inawakilisha ""Ukamilifu"" katika kwamba ni safari ya kwenda katikati yetu na kurudi tena nje tena katika ulimwengu." Labyrinth haipaswi kuchanganyikiwa na labyrinth. Mzunguko ni kama fumbo linalopaswa kutatuliwa. Ina mapito, mapito, na vijia visivyoweza kuonekana. Labyrinth ni njia unicursal, yaani. Njia moja ya kuingia na njia moja ya kutoka, kufundisha kuelekezwa. Inaaminika kwamba majumba ya maono ya kale yalitumiwa kama mitego ya roho mbaya au kama njia za dansi za kidesturi. Katika nyakati za Enzi za Kati, Labirinti iliwakilisha njia ngumu ya kumfikia Mungu yenye kituo kilichofafanuliwa wazi na mlango mmoja. Labyrinths inaweza kuwa na maana ya kuwakilisha njia ya kuabudu, ambayo ni njia ya kuongoza watu kuelekea wokovu au mwangaza. Safari ya kidini ni tukio la pamoja na tendo la kibinafsi la badiliko. Kutembea katika Labyrinth pamoja na wengine hutukumbusha kwamba sisi sote tuko kwenye njia pamoja, kila mmoja kwa njia yake mwenyewe. Watu wa enzi za kati hawakuweza kusafiri kwenda maeneo matakatifu na nchi, kwa hiyo matumizi ya Labyrinths na sala yalichukua mahali pa uhitaji huo. Baadaye, umuhimu wa kidini wa Labyrinths ulipungua na zilitumiwa hasa kwa ajili ya burudani, ingawa hivi karibuni sehemu yao ya kiroho imeonekana tena. Leo, hutumiwa hasa kwa ajili ya kutafakari, kuhisi amani ya ndani, na kama chombo cha amani na mwongozo katika ulimwengu huu wenye matatizo. Kwa kutembea katika Labyrinth, unaweza kufuatilia njia ya maisha yako duniani, kuanzia kuzaliwa kwenye mlango na kumalizika na kifo katikati. Njia ya kutoka hufananisha kuzaliwa upya. Kulingana na mwanahistoria mmoja Mmarekani, labyrinth hupinga majaribio yetu ya kufafanua kama vile ishara zote kubwa na mifano ya kale. Labyrinth inazungumza nasi si moja kwa moja bali kupitia lugha ya ushairi, kupitia mfano na tabaka nyingi za ukweli. Kama maisha na hatima, Labyrinth inaweza kuwa safari ndefu lakini ina mwanzo maalum na mwisho maalum.