Permanent Labyrinth Designs

Lisa Gidlow Moriarty dba Paths of Peace has earned the reputation of being the most prolific and experienced labyrinth maker in business today. Paths of Peace creates labyrinths in many patterns, including precise replicas of historic designs as well as one-of-a-kind contemporary patterns.  A good installation requires much more than just copying a design from the internet. Budget, materials, maintenance and available area are only a few of the many considerations that are necessary for a well-balanced and workable design for each unique setting. Decades of experience in designing, building and using labyrinths allows Paths of Peace to offer the required expertise needed. Whether simply in consultation or full installation, Paths of Peace is simply unmatched in the industry.

See the gallery for photos of a few of the hundreds of Paths of Peace labyrinth projects that dot the globe. Contact us to connect and learn how Paths of Peace can assist with your labyrinth project.

Unique and exclusive patterns designed by Lisa include the Butterfly Blue, Circle of Peace, Dancing Woman Labyrinth, Harmony labyrinth variations, Medieval Meander, Partner Stroll, and Tree of Life described below. Please respect and honor the creative work of the artist by first contacting Lisa if you wish to use her designs and acknowledging her as the designer.

butterfly blue

The Butterfly Blue is an example of a design commissioned specifically for a client and setting. The Karner Blue Education Center in Blaine, MN, is a school designed for and serving the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum. The school is named for the Karner Blue Butterfly, which is nearing extinction in the area due to dwindling habitat. The faculty commissioned the creation of a design that not only represents the butterfly namesake, but is designed for the student population. Students use the labyrinth in many ways, but a favorite is to slowly walk to crawl into the labyrinth, crouch pause huddle in the cocoon-shaped center, then burst open and fly back out along the paths like a butterfly.

circle of peace

The Circle of Peace design was first envisioned in 2000 when Lisa was installing labyrinths on her home property and trying new designs. Lisa had been working with groups, facilitating labyrinth events and became aware that some people preferred the long sweeping paths of the classical labyrinth patterns while others preferred the more frequent quadrant turns of the medieval patterns. The Circle of Peace was born by combining these preferences, wherein there are two full circle paths, embedded among quarter and half turns in a medieval style. Like the 7-circuit classical labyrinth, the fourth circuit divides the outer three from the inner three, while the quadrant turns offer a rhythmic cadence. More about the symbolism of the Circle of Peace can be found on this downloadable pdf.

Dancing Woman

Lisa first envisioned the graceful Dancing Woman Labyrinth when she was introduced to the Baltic Wheel labyrinth in Boldern, Switzerland. In her mind’s eye, Lisa saw the figure of a woman dancing within the design. This was a period during which Lisa was processing some personal issues. There are a few variations on the design with various numbers of circuits, all incorporate a secondary path leading directly to/from the center. The story and symbolism of the Dancing Woman can be found on this downloadable pdf.

harmony labyrinths

Formerly known as the CrossRoads Problem Solving Labyrinth, this dual-path labyrinth was commissioned by a public school social worker to incorporate the 5-steps of conflict resolution that she used with her students. The original design was a mirrored dual path, 5-circuit labyrinth that lead to a common center. The steps of the conflict resolution process were written along the paths at the halfway point such that two students who were solving a problem between them would stop at designated places along their respective paths, turn to face one another across the center, and perform the steps toward peaceful resolution. While working with child psychologists, therapists and teachers over the following years, variations of the design were developed incorporating opposite entrances and shared exit paths. Additionally, more applications for these designs were developed for use in ceremonies, kindness and learning activities, and community conversations. More information about these unique designs can be found on this downloadable pdf.

Medieval Meander

When Lisa began looking for another 7-circuit medieval path pattern that more closely resembled the popular labyrinth at the cathedral in Chartres, France, she designed the Medieval Meander. This nicely balanced design largely mimics the inside 7-circuits of the 11-circuit Chartres labyrinth and incorporates a log full-circle circuit around the perimeter, acting as a contemplative circumnavigation path shortly before the final turns into the center. This design includes the 6-petal center and perimeter lunations also found in the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth.

partner stroll

In 2004, Lisa participated in a partner dance on a labyrinth called the Jericho wherein two people could walk side-by-side on adjacent paths, one going in toward the center and the other coming out. A similar Appleton Dance can be done on a 7-circuit classical labyrinth. However, at one point in both of these walks, the partners separate and are not able to complete the entire path together. Lisa was inspired to work out a different path pattern that allowed two people to walk side-by-side the entire way from threshold to center. The Partner Stroll was the solution! Learn more on this downloadable .pdf.

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is simply a variation of the Dancing Woman and Baltic designs wherein rather than a woman figure, the central symbol is a tree shape. This design has been used often in hospitals and health care settings because the majority of the turns are more graceful, easing the use with wheelchairs, IV stands and walkers. The secondary path to/from the center also allows for an easy exit when stamina is a challenge and to allow a processional style of use. Lisa first installed this pattern in 2010 at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, MN, which uses trees and other nature symbols throughout the hospital decor. The labyrinth proved popular, and the Tree of Life has since been installed in other healthcare settings around the USA, as permanent installations or as a portable labyrinth.

custom designs

Lisa has been commissioned to create unique designs for various settings, including a cancer recovery group, a pilgrimage journey project, a heart prayer project, and a grief support community, to name a few. Her decades of experience in design and in facilitating labyrinth experiences allows Lisa to work with clients to develop ideas into a workable solution for a labyrinth that is unique and represents the vision. Contact Lisa to explore the possibilities.