A labyrinth is an ancient, meditative, circular path utilized by diverse groups for centuries.
According to the Labyrinth Society, labyrinths date back 4,000 years and have been used for ritual, ceremony, walking meditations, spiritual pilgrimages, and choreographed dances. One of the most famous labyrinths is located in Chartres Cathedral in France. Labyrinths have varied designs, but all designs include a meandering, singular path that leads to the center and back out.
App State's Two Outdoor Labyrinth Locations
In 2024, two permanent, outdoor labyrinths were installed on App State’s campus. The image shows construction beginning in summer 2024 for the labyrinth located outside Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences .
One labyrinth was placed near the Plemmons Student Union in the heart of the Boone campus and funded by a grant from the NC Department of Health and Human Services and honors students, staff and faculty who are in recovery.
The second labyrinth was placed outside the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences at 1179 State Farm Road in Boone.
These labyrinths are part of the Outdoor Wellness Locations (OWLs) Initiative. Started in 2023, the OWLs are designed to carve out space for well-being in campus locations.
Walking A Labyrinth
There are many ways to walk a labyrinth. Many choose to walk with an intention, but it is important to also be open to surprises and possibilities! You might walk the same labyrinth 100 times and have a different experience with each walk. Some ideas for walking a labyrinth include:
- Asking a question as you walk towards the center, and be open to receiving an answer as you walk out
- Releasing as you walk in, receiving in the center, and returning as you walk out
- Carrying symbolic items of significance or importance in and out with you
- Walking with members of a group or team
- Focusing your walk on specific equity or sustainability-related topics or populations
- Walking in remembrance of or honor of a person or group
As you walk, please be mindful that others may be walking the labyrinth as well. You may cross paths as you simultaneously walk alone and together.
Ways To Use A Labyrinth
Are there workshops or opportunities to learn more?
We invite you to sign up for a workshop to learn more about labyrinths.
You can sign up to attend a guided labyrinth walk, and/or sign up for a training on how to facilitate a labyrinth walk.
Reserving The Labyrinth
Would you like to reserve the labyrinth at Levine Hall for your group, class, or event?
Anyone with an App State email address can schedule the labyrinth using the 25Live Scheduling System:
Daily Availability
Weekly Availability
If you are not affiliated with App State and are interested in reserving the Labyrinth, email bchs@appstate.edu or call (828) 262-8145.
Additional Information
Where can I find more information?
The Labyrinth Society: https://labyrinthsociety.org/about-labyrinths
World Wide Labyrinth Locator: https://labyrinthlocator.com/
Sellers, J., & Moss, B. (2016). Learning with the labyrinth: Creating reflective space in higher education. Palgrave.
With Gratitude
We honor the many people who have been involved in the efforts to install labyrinths on App State's campus, including:
Marianne Adams, Sally Atkins, Karen Caldwell, Jeff Cathey, Christine Dave, Cara Hagan, Marie Huff, Denise Levy, Maureen MacNamara, Linda McCalister, Cathy McKinney, Jordan Perry, Katrina Plato, Susan Reed, Mary Reichel, Melia Snyder, Heather Thorp and Joan Woodworth.
App State's Labyrinth History
Students, faculty, and staff walk the Paths of Peace Labyrinth for 2015 World Labyrinth Day and in memory of students who died during that academic year.
There have been several efforts over the years to install a permanent labyrinth on the campus of Appalachian State University.
The first labyrinth that we know of at Appalachian State was a temporary labyrinth drawn on tobacco cloth that was used with many small groups and conferences.
In 2014, a 24-foot Paths of Peace Canvas Labyrinth was purchased and painted as part of an Expressive Arts and Social Justice Learning Community (supported by the Hubbard Center for Faculty Development, now the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success).
Over the years the canvas labyrinth has been used at Appalachian State University and the surrounding community for multiple gatherings on various themes such as aging, grief, sustainable development, destressing at finals week, as part of doctoral research, at the WEILS (Women in Educational Leadership) conference, a dance department class and the Mindfulness in Higher Education Conference to name a few.
After the labyrinth was completed and used in the Plemmons Student Center, staff purchased a canvas labyrinth and Belk Library and Information Commons also purchased a canvas labyrinth.
In 2024, two permanent, outdoor labyrinths were installed on App State’s campus. One is near the Plemmons Student Union in the heart of the Boone and the second labyrinth was placed outside Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences.