Mazes
From Maze
(Difference between revisions)
(→Mazes in Religion) | (→Mazes of Grass, Hedge, and Stone) | ||
| Line 158: | Line 158: | ||
Kern traces their history: "It is likely that strains of various traditions converged in turf labyrinths. The original pagan constructions were probably linked to Scandinavian Troy towns and spring rites. Beginning in the 13th century, the design was subjected to a Christian interpretation and installed in churches. During the Reformation, the earlier pagan meanings surfaced once again, soon thereafter to be channeled into harmless popular festivals, and eventually lost." (168) | Kern traces their history: "It is likely that strains of various traditions converged in turf labyrinths. The original pagan constructions were probably linked to Scandinavian Troy towns and spring rites. Beginning in the 13th century, the design was subjected to a Christian interpretation and installed in churches. During the Reformation, the earlier pagan meanings surfaced once again, soon thereafter to be channeled into harmless popular festivals, and eventually lost." (168) | ||
| − | These turf mazes find stone parallels in Troy towns, "labyrinthine stone patterns arranged on open fields, many of which are found in Sweden, Finland, Artic Russia, and Germany" (Kern 167). | + | These turf mazes find stone parallels in Troy towns, "labyrinthine stone patterns arranged on open fields, many of which are found in Sweden, Finland, Artic Russia, and Germany" (Kern 167). In spite of their connections to church mazes, the "turf maze" has much stronger pagan roots, likely parts of Spring rites. |
| − | In spite of their connections to church mazes, the "turf maze" has much stronger pagan roots, likely parts of Spring rites. | + | 10 Print... does not offer a path to a religious practice, but the association of mazes and mysterious rituals does attend the later use of the program. It might not have helped programmers attain salvation or welcome the coming of Spring, but it did offer a means by which novice programmers could trace its steps and become initiated into the mysteries of this new magic box, the personal computer. |
| − | The taller cousins of the turf mazes are the hedge-row mazes. One famous example included Louis XIV's hedge maze featured 39 fountains and "cost the equivalent of more than three million dollars to build" (Pickover 16). Another mythical example was the Bower of "Fair Rosamond," which reportedly hid the mistress of King Henry II (A.D. 1133-1189). The maze in this case hid not a terrible beast but instead protected an illicit paramour. However, by one account, discovered by the queen, she was forced to choose between the bowl of poison and a dagger. She met her fate at the bottom of the bowl (Miller 164). | + | Making mazes out of plants does not end with turf, but becomes the sign of wealth in the the hedge-row mazes. One famous example included Louis XIV's hedge maze featured 39 fountains and "cost the equivalent of more than three million dollars to build" (Pickover 16). Another mythical example was the Bower of "Fair Rosamond," which reportedly hid the mistress of King Henry II (A.D. 1133-1189). The maze in this case hid not a terrible beast but instead protected an illicit paramour. However, by one account, discovered by the queen, she was forced to choose between the bowl of poison and a dagger. She met her fate at the bottom of the bowl (Miller 164). |
One of the most well-known mazes grew in Hampton Court Palace in London attributed to Sir Christopher Wren that may date back to the time of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, its first occupant (Kern 261). Presenting roughly half a mile of path, the maze has been the subject of literature. Miller writes of it: "It may be a a sad sight to the 'highbrows' of horticulture, but to the unsophisticated many it is a never-failing source of merriment" (129). He describes the maze as an "undiluted delight" to "scores of hundred of children, not to mention a fair sprinkling of their elders" (129). | One of the most well-known mazes grew in Hampton Court Palace in London attributed to Sir Christopher Wren that may date back to the time of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, its first occupant (Kern 261). Presenting roughly half a mile of path, the maze has been the subject of literature. Miller writes of it: "It may be a a sad sight to the 'highbrows' of horticulture, but to the unsophisticated many it is a never-failing source of merriment" (129). He describes the maze as an "undiluted delight" to "scores of hundred of children, not to mention a fair sprinkling of their elders" (129). | ||
| Line 179: | Line 179: | ||
---- | ---- | ||
| − | |||
===Mazes in Dance=== | ===Mazes in Dance=== | ||
