Designed by
Bob Peach, Atlanta, Georgia
Copyright © 2000

The Chalice Labyrinth is a 6-circuit design from the classical tradition with labyrs added to increase directional changes and to give the design the appearance of a cross (Chartres tradition).  The entrance wall has been enhanced to resemble a "chalice" which supports the meditative area at the center of the labyrinth.

INSTRUCTIONS
(feel free to Print this page)

Please note that the following steps will create more
of a circular shape than the classical mushroom shape.

1) Determine the width of each circuit (path) by dividing the desired "east-west or left-right" diameter by "16".  This divisor represents the sum of the labyrinth's 12 circuits plus the center area which equals 4 circuits in width.  For example: if you want your labyrinth to be 40 feet wide, then each path should be made 2-1/2 feet wide (40 divided by 16).  Please note that the width of the circuit lines (walls) are not taken into consideration in this calculation.

ILLUSTRATION 1

2) Determine the "north-south or top-bottom" center line of the labyrinth and mark where the bottom of the entrance chalice should be located.  Then, along the center line, mark where the top of the entrance chalice will be located (4 circuit widths up from the bottom mark), where the center point of the labyrinth is located (another 2 circuit widths up - 6 widths from the bottom mark), where the top of the center area will be located (another 2 circuit widths up), and then where each of the top 6 circuits lines will cross the center line (1 circuit width each).  Therefore, if your circuit widths are 2-1/2 feet, the entrance chalice will be 10 feet high (4 circuit widths), the center area will be 10 feet high, and the distance from the top of the center area to the top of the labyrinth will be another 15 feet.

ILLUSTRATION 2

3) Determine the location of the "east-west / left-right" circuits by crossing the center line at a right angle and at the center point.  From the center point, mark the outside edge of the center area (2 circuit widths) and then where each of the 6 east-west circuits lines will cross (1 circuit width each).

ILLUSTRATION 3

4) Measure and mark the widths of each of the four small labyrs according to one's own tastes. Then mark the end points for each of the circuit lines that run into the 4 small labyrs.  These end points will be used as the stopping points for the circuit lines to be drawn in the next step below.  Mark these end points at least 1-circuit width away from the mid-points of the small labyrs to allow  for a smooth turning radius.  Now complete the drawing of the small labyrs (the end points can be used as compass points to draw the sides of the labyrs if desired).  

ILLUSTRATION 4

5) To draw the circuit lines between the center and east-west lines (#2 and #3 above), pull a string from the center point up along the center line to the mark that corresponds to the circuit line you want to draw.  Then use the string as a compass until you reach the east-west line.  For example: if you want to draw the outside circuit line, pull the string from the center point to the last mark on the center line at the top of the labyrinth.,  (Be careful to stop drawing the circuit lines that run into the mid-points of the small labyrs at the marks made in #4 above).

ILLUSTRATION 5

6) Draw the entrance chalice by making several parallel lines to the east-west / left-right line described in #3 above.  The top chalice line is 4 circuits wide and located 2 circuit widths below the center point.  The bottom chalice line is also 4 circuits wide but 6 circuit widths below the labyrinth's center point.  At the entrance chalice's mid-point (4 circuit widths from the center point), mark two parallel points 1/2 circuit width from the center line.

ILLUSTRATION 6

7) Draw the sides of the entrance chalice by making gently arching lines from the outside points of the top and bottom chalice lines through the mid-point marks.

ILLUSTRATION 7

8) From the entrance chalice's "left" mid-point mark (see last sentence in #6 above), mark two points going to the left at the1-circuit width point and at the 2-circuit width point.  The first point marks the width of the entrance circuit and the second provides a compass point for drawing the bottom-left turn.

ILLUSTRATION 8

9) The bottom circuits are made using the same compass method explained in #5 above but, instead of using the labyrinth's center point, two other compass points are used to anchor the compass (see illustration below).  From each of these points, pull a string to the last mark on the east and west sides of the labyrinth and then draw an arced line down to the respective perpendicular compass points.  Be careful to stop the bottom-left turn line at the mark made in #8 above.

ILLUSTRATION 9

10) Finish the bottom circuit lines and center area lines as indicated.

ILLUSTRATION 10

11) Fill-in the entrance chalice and labyrs and embellish the center area with a symbol if desired.

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