The labyrinth has been used by many religious cultures for centuries. Many confuse the labyrinth with a maze, partly because of the story of the Minotaur being held in a labyrinth. According to this mythology, the Minotaur would have been held in a maze not a traditional labyrinth. A maze is meant to confuse, disorient, and cause a person to get lost, where a labyrinth is spiritual journey. A labyrinth may appear to be a maze, but there is a continuous path into the center, and back out again. The purpose of this spiritual journey is to promote releasing life’s cares as you move toward the center, reflecting on your spiritual goal at the center, and uniting with that goal as you move back out to the world.
They have found carvings of labyrinths all over the world, some over 4,000 years old. According to grace.org they have found artistic works depicting labyrinths in India, Afghanistan, Rome, Ukraine, Iceland, Crete, Egypt, Sumartra, and even in Arizona. And according to that same website the first labyrinth used in a Christian context dates back to 324 AD, which was found in the Basilica of St. Reparatus in Algeria.
Unfortunately the actual mosaic of the labyrinth in St. Reparatus fell into ruin, but they have found drawings and other documents depicting what it looked like.
The text at the center, though it looks weird, spells out “Sancta Eclesia” or Holy Church in Latin, when you go to the center “S” and move outward in any direction. The idea of this is that the soul’s journey through a chaotic world finds safety and salvation in the church.
The use of the Labyrinth in Christian Spirituality expanded during the Middle Ages of European history. At this time the spiritual discipline of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land became physically dangerous so many predominate churches constructed labyrinths to serve as a symbolic pilgrimage of faith. One of the most famous of these can be found in the Cathedral of our Lady of Chartres in France.
It is the Chartres Labyrinth that I have used in my Desktop Labyrinth.
I first learned of the use of Labyrinths while obtaining my Master’s Degree from Friends University, and I found them fascinating. The pathway with all the twists and turns reminds me of the various struggles we have within our faith. And the first time I actually walked the sacred path, i found it moving.
I have painted the Chartres design onto my church lawn several times over the years, and have also used sidewalk chalk to put the circuits onto our parking lot. When I purchased my 3D printer, this was one of the first things I looked for. I found several different varieties. some I found pretty bizarre, but I wanted something small that could simulate the experience The one I liked the most was uploaded on Thingiverse.com by Juilus3E8. This is a nice pocket sized labyrinth, and that was my starting point.
I then looked for a stylus to help simulate walking the path, but this path is not out in the open so I made some modifications.
I included a reference to Psalm 56 on the base, to start the Spiritual Journey.
Psalm 56 (ESV)
1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 5 All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. 7 For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Our days are filled with stresses, and other troubles. I feel this desktop labyrinth will remind us to return to that spiritual path toward God. As our co-workers and bosses add more and more chaos, as the various events and activities our kids are involved in add more to our already busy life. This desk top labyrinth reminds us to take a breath, return to the center, and reengage anew.
The filament I used is Inland white marble PLA, and Inland Dark Yellow Silk PLA. The marble filament give the appearance that the labyrinth is carved into stone, where the shiny aspect of the Silk PLA provides an eye catching contrast.
The piece sits at 125mm in diameter (4.9 in) and 71.61 mm tall (Just under 3 in), and has a holder for a stylus so you will always have your “Shoes” to walk the pathway.
This would make a good gift for a teacher, pastor, or any office worker. If you would like to order one please let me know.
Jared
pastor@jwquaker.com
W3-Designs 
Leave a comment