The labyrinth

The symbol of the labyrinth or the spiral, as it is commonly represented, is one of the most recognizable European symbols, which was popularized in the mass culture and was part of the European artistical development since ancient times.

Newgrange, Ireland

By looking at the symbol you can without any deep studies and analysis immediately understand that it wants to represents some kind of repetitiveness and infinite pattern, it is almost hypnotic. The symbol of the labyrinth can be found carved on stone age cave walls and as we will learn these places were not chosen randomly.

Gotland, Sweden

The word Labyrinth can mean “house of the double axe”, the Labrys is according to Plutarch (Quaestiones Graecae 2.302a) is the Lydian word for the double-bitted axe, (Greek: πέλεκυς, pélekus). As we already know by analysing our mythology and tradition the double-axe is the symbol of the rekindled fire/life, therefor is also a symbol for the heart itself and can be reconnected with the reincarnation ritual and the neanderthal burial practice. Not everyone is worthy to find the path that leads to the solution of the labyrinth, not everyone will be chosen to escape its dark rooms, numerous walls and difficulties. 

Theseus and the Minotaur in the Labyrinth

The patterns in our mythology may appear all disconnected and chaotic to a modern untrained eye, but if we look more carefully, we can actually understand that they are just different stories that always have the same meaning. The labyrinth is the symbolical representation of the womb from which we are reborn that is why only few are able to solve the labyrinth and escape from it, regaining the ancient treasure at the centre of the maze that represents the forgotten memories of past lives.

We can also note that the shape of the labyrinth in some cases resembles a human fingerprint, this reaffirm the exclusivity of the symbol, finger prints are unique for every individual, this explains why our forebears used to paint hands on cave walls, it was a way to symbolize the reincarnation of the ancestor.

Human Fingerprint

Gavrinis, France

After all this talk on symbology and mythology, the existence of this depiction on the Bosnian tombstones should not surprise us, they are connected to our common European tradition.