Mrs. Burgin’s sixth and seventh grade classes at Polk County Middle School have been studying heroes and the hero’s journey.
With help from a grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the students have been able to construct a labyrinth, an ancient form that is found all over the world, from India to New Mexico, England to Africa. For generations, the labyrinth has been a symbol for the journey of life and the hero’s quest as he embarks on the journey.
While studying various heroes from literature, both ancient and modern, students also studied ancient civilizations and culture. For example, ancient Greeks had labyrinths printed on their coins and even laid out their streets in the labyrinth form.
Seventh grader Erica Sullivan said, “The class had a lot of fun and it was a great experience to dig the labyrinth.”
Nowadays, many groups use the labyrinth as a way of mental healing, conflict-resolution or prayer.
– article submitted by Jeanne Ferran Burgin