By By Verla Roberts

Taking a minute from a busy day’s work can lead to a path of enlightenment right here on campus.

Not many would have guessed among the sculptures residing at the University, one of them actually possesses a functional purpose.

The “Hofstra labyrinth,” a circular structure 40 inches in diameter, made of 2 and one-fourths thick slabs of granite, helps clear the mind of all other stresses.

“I believe the labyrinth is a good idea to have because if people used it more they would understand its purpose,” Jennifer Burns, a senior marketing major, said. “I look at the labyrinth in a spiritual way.”

Labyrinths are seen as symbols of spiritual and intellectual enlightenment. To walk the labyrinth properly, and stay in the lines, takes a level of concentration and focus. David Christman, museum director, said.

Every distracting thought needs to put out of the mind to walk it properly. Making it to the center of the labyrinth is making it to the deepest level of self, and walking out is walking back into the world with a better understanding of identity. Actually walking the labyrinth gives a person a better understand of how it works, he added.

“Anything that you focus on that much can give you that affect,” Danielle Fein, a junior drama major, said. “I think that [the labyrinth] even more so because you have to remember where you’ve been, where you are and where you want to go in order to get through it.”

The piece is located in the courtyard of C.V. Starr surrounded by five sitting walls. The artwork is part of the University sculpture garden and the most recent to the collection. The labyrinth was made around the time C.V. Starr was built.

It also is a recreation of the labyrinth, which was done in the Chartres Cathedral in France.

“The Chartres labyrinth became famous after the chairs were taken away and the labyrinth was discovered,” Christman said. “The Chartres Labyrinth dates back to1200 [of te Common Era] and is an 11th degree labyrinth. A labyrinth does not go past the 11th degree because of the 12th disciple that betrayed Jesus.”

Christman went on to explain how the six petals of the rose have meanings as well. The first three petals represent man, woman and child, and the last three represent Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

The labyrinth was built in its particular spot because the University wanted something to fill the empty space in that area. Christman was given the job to find a piece that could be put in the area that everyone could enjoy.

“The design is 800 years old and was probably done by a priest,” Christman said. “I picked the piece because there were no copy write problems because the artist is unknown; it has a good design, and it is the most traditional.”

The original use of the labyrinth was for people who could not make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The labyrinth was used as a substation if a person could not make the journey. By walking and completing the labyrinth it was looked as making a pilgrimage.

When a person actually finishes walking the labyrinth and makes it to the center rose, it is seen as a passage that is only half accomplished. Unlike mazes, labyrinths only have one way in and one way out. They have no dead ends like a maze, instead they continue until the center. To finish the experience completely, a person must walk the labyrinth back out. Only then will the journey be complete.

A fun fact about the “Hofstra Labyrith” is that the center actually echoes.

“The reason for the echo is because of the wind bouncing back and forth between the three buildings,” Christman said. “The echo was not planed, but adds a nice effect.”

The structure does not only have a meaning of giving people a way of reflection, it has also become a memorial. The area was original called “the Court of Courage” and is still a work in progress.

Three of the sitting walls of the structure have placques on them to remember different historic events. One of the placques is in remembrance of the signers of the declaration. Behind the wall it has a statue of a Minute Man pointing down with his left hand to a placque of the Bill of Rights.

The second wall has a plaque dedicated to the Polish Uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. The plaque is to remember the sacrifice the remaining Jews made to fight back against the Germans.

The third is in dedication to the people who showed courage to University alumni and to all who lost their lives on 9/11. Another sculpture was given as a gift to the area in remembrance from John Safer, a successful banker from Washington, D.C who has a love of sculpting.

“I think it is a very cultural and spiritual way to bring historical courage to the future,” Guerlane Laviole, a senior engineering major, said. “It lets people remember the heroic acts that have gone on in history.”

The labyrinth is not being used to represent only one aspect of the University community, it is a place where people can come and reflect about life or just sit with friends and have a cup of coffee. It’s a place where people can met and give respect to important historic events in history. The labyrinth is a way those historic events can always be remembered.

“I hope that the other sitting walls can be used as remembrance to other acts of historical courage,” Christman said.