What's new on this site


The graphical motif of the labyrinth

This site is dedicated to the graphical motif of the labyrinth, that is, the drawing of the labyrinth. I go very lightly on the myth and its symbolical interpretation. Even the etymology of the name is not treated.

What is new on that site ?

The intention of the drawing of the labyrinth is to delineate a path. I have discovered that the path of the medieval labyrinth is rhythmical. Indeed, it is built from certain rhythmical motifs repeated and arranged in a very intentional fashion. Therefore, the drawing of the medieval labyrinth is determined by the rhythm of its path.

From this, I have developed the notion of canonical (or perfect) labyrinth, and I have proved that there exists a certain number of possible canonical labyrinths, of which only three are known to have existed historically: those of the cathedrals of Chartres, Sens and Reims.

Indicating the "new" elements

On this site, certain labyrinth designs are qualified as "new", others as "historical". This corresponds to the distinction between those known as having existed historically, and those which were derived from my rhythmical method.

Recently (June 2004), I had to revise my method and to include a more systematic mathematical formalization. I then discovered that the number of possible canonical labyrinths is 20 (instead of 19, following my first approach). Therefore the numeration had to be modified, whence the "old" and "new" numerations, and a "new " labyrinth was added (No 8, which is doubly new).

Then there are the frequent additions to the site, which obviously have to be qualified as "new".

I think that the context should make clear these three different meanings of the word "new".


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