US Christian Ritual Object: "Labyrinth"

This is a US finger labyrinth modeled on the floor of European and American cathedrals. The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in cultures around the world. The oldest known form, the Seven Circuit Labyrinth, found from around 5,000 years ago, is named for the number of circuits on it.

The labyrinth entered Christian prayer life during the Middle Ages when it was incorporated into cathedral floors around Europe. The Eleven Circuit Labyrinth, like this one, is built into the floor of Chartres Cathedral, laid in 1201. Labyrinths, unlike mazes, have only one path.

The Christian faith is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus or Christ. Jesus, (7–2 BC/BCE – 30–36 AD/CE), is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christian denominations venerate him as God the Son.

The principal sources of information regarding Jesus are the four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The gospels declare that Jesus was a Jew born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea. At the age of 30, he began to preach throughout Palestine, which was then under Roman rule. The gospels describe miracles that Jesus performed such as raising the dead.

Most critical historians agree that Jesus was a Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer. He was crucified in Jerusalem, on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire. Christians believe that Jesus then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, from which he will return.

Source:
Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) "Jesus Christ." Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2010. 297. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 July 2013. Document URL http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lapl.org/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX1796500200&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus Publication of Veriditas, The World-Wide Labyrinth Project, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA