Happy World Labyrinth Day! (And no, this is not a setup to get you lost forever.)
Today, the first Saturday in May, people around the world are celebrating labyrinths — those twisty, ancient symbols that have been quietly showing up in human history for literally thousands of years. World Labyrinth Day kicked off a little over a decade ago as an international event, and it’s still going strong, because let’s be honest: who doesn’t love a little peaceful wandering without Google Maps yelling at you?
A Quick Trip Through History (Hold Onto Your Hats)
In ancient Greek lore, the labyrinth was basically a house of horrors — a baffling, mind-melting maze designed to contain the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull. (And you thought your roommate situation was complicated.)
But today’s labyrinths are not about terror, monsters, or needing a ball of string to survive. Modern labyrinths are built with one clear path in and the same path out. No dead ends. No panicked cries for help. Just a smooth, winding journey that’s perfect for a little walking meditation — and maybe a few moments of inner peace if you’re into that sort of thing.
Labyrinths Around the World: We’ve Been Into These Forever
Labyrinths are not just a Greek thing. They’ve been found carved into cave walls, drawn on ancient maps, sketched into manuscripts, and popping up all over Europe, Egypt, and India. Basically, if humans have been somewhere, odds are good someone there doodled a labyrinth and said, “This is deep.”
One of the most famous labyrinths sits inside the Cathedral at Chartres in France, built into the floor around 1200 CE. (And it’s still there, so shoutout to medieval builders who apparently had better quality control than whomever made my last phone charger.)
Today’s Labyrinths: Open to All
Now, labyrinths aren’t just for myth nerds or monks. Tons of towns, universities, parks, and churches maintain labyrinths in public spaces — and they’re open to everyone, no matter your religious background, spiritual leanings, or favorite coffee order.
Walking a labyrinth can be surprisingly powerful. Some use it for prayer, others for stress relief, and some just for a quiet break from doomscrolling. (Highly recommend.)
Ready to Walk One?
If you’ve never walked a labyrinth before, today’s the perfect day to find one in your area and give it a try. And if you have walked one before? Well, there’s no such thing as too many calming strolls through a mystical ancient symbol.
So lace up your shoes, leave the Minotaur at home, and take a walk. You never know what you might find — especially inside yourself.