Labyrinths have anchored people to the land since before recorded history. They are a hoop of life, a walking meditation, and a case of sacred geometry. Labyrinths have been embedded into the earth for as long as anyone knows, but their origin remains a subject of speculation. Their spiraling shapes appear in Tibetan sand paintings, tribal basket designs, and early Cretan coins. And when they are laid out on the ground in a soothing spin, they lead walkers into the center and out again. Unlike a maze, there are no dead ends.

The Idaho Botanical Garden’s labyrinth was added to the garden complex in 2001. Modeled after the famous labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France, the pathways are outlined with Table Rock sandstone, river rocks and brick, and are laid out in eleven concentric rings with a center rosette. The 28-day lunar cycle is represented by the 28 cusps in each of four quadrants that symbolize the four seasons. The center rosette is a resting place. If you are looking for a way to meditate that engages your body as well as your soul, the labyrinth provides such a path.