The Shining.

When you think of the maze in popular culture, perhaps films such as The Shining (1980) and Labyrinth (1986) come to mind. But long before Jack pursued young Danny in a hotel hedge maze, these puzzling structures were an intriguing subject for artists, filmmakers, and authors. The maze is often a symbol of danger, of confusion, or, as in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a challenge for characters on a quest.

The hedge maze was once a mainstay of British formal gardens and estates. Known as "the most famous maze in the history of the world," the Hampton Maze was originally planted from hornbeam in 1690 for William the Orange and is still there — it now includes a half mile of paths. Hedge mazes became popular all over England in the 18th century, their popularity waning as a craze for "natural" gardens overtook them in the 19th century. In their prime, hedge mazes provided privacy and entertainment for the members of the royal court at grand estates.

1920s postcard featuring Hampton Maze.

Tourists can find examples of hedge and corn mazes at seasonal fairs. In Buffalo, Toronto, St. Paul, and other cities, festivals have long included an ice maze, with the largest using over 2,000 blocks of ice. In Nebraska, a 54,000 square foot corn maze is so complex that visitors must use their smartphones to navigate the twists and turns.

Mazes transform everyday spaces into whimsical, challenging pathways that temporarily change our relationship with the built world.

DID YOU KNOW?

The world’s largest temporary corn maze opened in 2007 in Dixon, California. It measured an incredible 4 0.5 acres and took several hours to walk through.

Church Mazes: http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/maze/chartres/index.htm#chartres