7. Comparing labyrinth
examples
Design of a
labyrinth of each of the three classic types: troja, roma, and
Size of the square and
area
3 squares
have the sizes 10 x 10 m, 15 x 15 m, 20 x 20 m, and a circular area is 18 m in
diameter. In this
consideration the width of the lane is 1 m in total. On the drawings 1 check
pattern is 1 x 1 m. If the width of the lane is different then e.g. 10 square
means the size of 10 times the lane width. Usually all types of labyrinths are
drawn according to the check pattern, which is also a rule for the roma type. But for chartres it
can be an artistic advantage to use half a check pattern by the symmetry lines
in some cases, and this is done here.
The 3 types
of labyrinths have their favourable dimensions, but here they have to fit into
the above given dimensions.
Troja 1 has the cross dimension 7, troja 2 has cross dimension 15, troja 3 has cross dimension 23. Troja 2 and troja 3 must be
”stretched” a little to become complete squares and not rectangles. To make troja fit to 10, 20, and 18 we can add blind lanes and
multiple choice lanes, the central area can be expanded or have a spiral lane
added.
Roma labyrinths have some favourable
square dimensions: 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25 etc. as seen
by the figure of proposals for quadrant 4 and for quadrant
1-3 also the odd
numbers in between. So for 10, 15, 20,
and 18, we must adjust the labyrinth and this can be difficult for roma. And it is not possible for all square solutions to be
altered straight away to circular solutions.
Chartres is made in the same way for square
and circular form. From square 12 (= e.g. ch5) and up there are solutions to all sizes, but
there are though differences in how well the artistic “
Rectangular form: troja and
The 3 types
of labyrinths have different artistic looks:
Troja has long 360° lanes, and in some
cases this will give too little mosaic appearance for a square of flagstones,
and in other cases this will be the right style for the surrounding
architecture. In addition there is a strong historic cultic value and tempting
mystery in this ancient labyrinth also for non specialists.
Chartres has 90° and 180° lanes in a
symmetrical pattern of “tongs”.
Roma has the most mosaic like possibilities for
lane pattern, so that some people will not right away notice that the square
pattern is a labyrinth.
Symbols and units:
See the section on labyrinths in roma
style.
Contents for figures:
Fig. e5: Troja labyrinths straightened out
Fig. e1. Square 10
Labyrinths
of size 10 square: 1 troja, 3 roma,
1 chartres.
Troja: a troja 1 (= 7 square big) with 1 blind lane
(+ 2) and ½ spiral in the centre (+ 1) to get a size of 10 square. At the
entrance there can be a short blind lane to the left to make a complete square;
or see fig. e5.
Roma: 10 is an even number so the radial lanes by
the mid quadrant lines are a little displaced.
Fig. e2: Square 15
Labyrinths
of size 15 square: 1 troja, 2 roma,
1 chartres.
Troja: this dimension is ideal for the
legendary troja 2 labyrinth = Pylos labyrinth from year -1200.
The labyrinth has though to be stretched 1 at the centre cross line to change
the dimension from 14 x 15 to 15 x 15. The troja labyrinth
is a little lopsided from right to left by the entrance. If this look does not
fit for the square it can be corrected by having a short blind lane to the left
here or by moving the entrance to the left corner; or see fig.
e5.
Roma: Detail B has both entrance and exit at the
edge and consists of 4 identical quadrants with the most simple wave figure (wave
figure B). Walking
in the labyrinth you will slowly approach the “dangerous centre with the
horror” and then hurry away again out along the radial lane, 4 times in all.
Detail C has its goal in the centre, which is the attractive place in this
labyrinth.
It is seen
that the troja labyrinth shows the most
calm look with long straight lanes, and the roma
labyrinth shows the most variegated look.
Fig. e3: Square 20
Labyrinths
of size 20 square: 1 troja, 1 roma,
1 chartres.
Troja: chosen: troja 2 (= 15 big) with 1 blind lane (+ 2)
and 1 multiple choice lane (+ 2) and an expansion of the centre space (+ 1),
total 20.
Roma: Si20 here is designed from Si21-1rp11-1 in fig. r9 which uses waveform
E and H.
Fig. e4: Circle 18
Labyrinths
of size 18 circle: 1 troja, 1 roma,
1 chartres.
Troja: chosen troja 2 (= 15 big) with blind lane (+ 2)
and expanded centre place (+ 1).
Roma: chosen Si17-1rp9-1 in fig. r5 which is expanded and
modified by giving bigger centre space. (These round labyrinths should be drawn
more beautiful than I have done).
Fig. e5: Troja
labyrinths straightened out
The 4 troja labyrinths from fig. e1,
e2, e3, e4 have here had their characteristic lopsidedness
straightened out by “stretching” the left side a little, as shown in fig. tr8 in section 2.
See fig. ph1 for a big combined labyrinth: a
Contents of the other
sections:
5 Chartres Labyrinth in Chartres
6 Labyrinths
of chartres style