Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth

[Ash Wednesday]

I thought I'd post this because it's something I've always found interesting and was recently meditating on it during a slow work day this week. I've read about a few people having spiritual struggles and thought I'd share this because it serves as a powerful metaphor for life in general, particularly when it comes to our relationship with God. There are times we feel like things are going great and we are closer to God than other times, sometimes we think we're figuring it all out but then suddenly we end up going outward again. It seems like we go back and forth in a confusing journey through a maze, but I believe with persistence, we eventually reach the center.

 

In a way, Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle also comes to mind but I haven't read that in a very long time.

 

Someday I'd love to visit the cathedral that has this labyrinth. 

In medieval times, pilgrims used to travel the labyrinth on their knees. 

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartres_Cathedral

[Ash Wednesday]

More about the labyrinth.

 

http://www.labyrinth.org.nz/what-is-a-labyrinth/chartres-labyrinth-and-symbolism/

 

Pilgrimages to places like Chartres were made as most people were unable to travel to Jerusalem. The center rose represents union with God, as well as the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit.

[Ancilla Domini]

I intended to walk the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth after my pilgrimage there, but, unfortunately, it was covered! Perhaps next year (I'd like to do the pilgrimage again.)

[Ash Wednesday]

They remove the chairs on Fridays!

[Ancilla Domini]

They remove the chairs on Fridays!

 

I was there Monday and Tuesday. :unsure:

[LouisvilleFan]

Good thoughts on the Labyrinth, Ash Wednesday. I've walked three of them at various locations around Kentucky/Cincinnati. It would be neat to visit all seven original labyrinths, or at least the ones that remain intact. I'm surprised to hear Chartres Cathedral would cover the original labyrinth most days of the week.

 

The symbolism of squares and circles also comes up in Eastern Christianity. Churches built in the form of a Greek Cross with the large dome over the middle represent heaven and earth coming together in Christ. I've thought recently about how the square shows the world attempts to shapes itself after the holy, but can only vaguely resemble perfection... we could think of the sharp corners and straight lines as our curse from the Fall, which remain even in our best attempts to follow God, as represented by a square. You can see the same theme in the Crucifix: the Cross is straight lines and sharp corners while the figure of Christ is curved lines, rounded, with a circle surrounding the Head. The fallen creation is joined to Creator in the Crucifix.