The location in the cathedral
                 
                The labyrinth is situated under the third and 
                  the fourth bay in the nave of the cathedral and is a component 
                  part of the floor. After the disastrous fire in 1194 only the 
                  west front and the two towers remained from the preceding church. 
                  The building of the new (and today's) cathedral began immediately 
                  and was completed in the very short time till 1220. 
                The labyrinth 
                    was integrated into planning and building from the very first
                  beginning. Together with the floor, which is inclined in this
                  part of the nave with approximately 3 % to the west portal,
                  it was finished in the year 1200.
                The location of the labyrinth is deliberated. 
                  But which was the aspect to choose this place? 
                Two of these 
                    possibilities shall be presented in the following. One theory
                  is from John James, an Australian architect,
                  the other one is based on the figure of the Flower of 
                    Life.
                 
                
                  
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                 Here 
                  you see the ground-plan of the crypt and at 
                  the left side the west front together with the possibly used 
                  net of the geometrical figures to appoint the sketch for the 
                  new cathedral.
Here 
                  you see the ground-plan of the crypt and at 
                  the left side the west front together with the possibly used 
                  net of the geometrical figures to appoint the sketch for the 
                  new cathedral. 
                John James proposes three large quadrats to
                  get the pattern. The labyrinth marks thereby an important point.
                 
                 
                 Here 
                  you see the situation of the construction in the year 
                  1200, the floor with the labyrinth inside is quite 
                  ready.
Here 
                  you see the situation of the construction in the year 
                  1200, the floor with the labyrinth inside is quite 
                  ready.
                 
                 
               
                 
                 
                 Another 
                  way how the place for the labyrinth could be fixed shows the 
                  figure of the Flower of Life. This geometrical 
                  pattern has at all 19 circles. The circle in the center is seen 
                  metaphysically as to be God. The multiplication of this circle 
                  symbolizes the development of God into the universe. By applying 
                  this figure to the ground-plan of the cathedral the labyrinth 
                  takes an important place.
Another 
                  way how the place for the labyrinth could be fixed shows the 
                  figure of the Flower of Life. This geometrical 
                  pattern has at all 19 circles. The circle in the center is seen 
                  metaphysically as to be God. The multiplication of this circle 
                  symbolizes the development of God into the universe. By applying 
                  this figure to the ground-plan of the cathedral the labyrinth 
                  takes an important place.
                
                The center of the labyrinth is approximately 31.75 
                  m away from the west front. The center of the 1240 built west 
                  rose is approximately 31.75 m above the floor. Its diameter 
                  is about the same as the labyrinth's. Coincidence or 
                  intention?
                The cathedral of Chartres has still more special 
                  qualities: 
                One is its adjustment towards northeast 
                    to the position, at which the moon has its
                    northernmost rising. Not as normally usual towards east,
                    where the sun is rising. 
                Then the crossing of the nave and
                      the transept is rectangular and not quadratic
                      as usually in other Gothic churches.
                 
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