By Kim Graae Munch
By Kim Graae Munch
Contemplations on the structure of the microcosmic universe, from various religious and spiritual traditions.
All religions and esoteric tradions is a continuous description of the history of man and his development, written by the teachers of man, incarnating again and again. The same stories are told in consecutive cultures with different words but with like symbols.
In Indra's realm is a vast net stretched infinitely in all directions. In each
node of the net is a single perfect jewel. Each jewel reflects every other jewel, infinite in number, and each of the reflected images of the jewels bears the image of all the other jewels.
The effects on one jewel affects all.
From Wikipedia:
Indra's net (also called Indra's jewels or Indra's pearls, Sanskrit Indrajāla) is a metaphor used to illustrate the concepts of Śūnyatā (emptiness), pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination), and interpenetration in Buddhist philosophy.
"Indra's net" is the net of the Vedic god Indra, whose net hangs over his palace on Mount Meru, the axis mundi of Hindu cosmology and Hindu mythology. Indra's net has a multifaceted jewel at each vertex, and each jewel is reflected in all of the other jewels. In the Avatamsaka Sutra, the image of "Indra's net" is used to describe the interconnectedness of the universe:
Far away in the heavenly abode of the great god Indra, there is a wonderful net which has been hung by some cunning artificer in such a manner that it stretches out infinitely in all directions. In accordance with the extravagant tastes of deities, the artificer has hung a single glittering jewel in each "eye" of the net, and since the net itself is infinite in dimension, the jewels are infinite in number. There hang the jewels, glittering "like" stars in the first magnitude, a wonderful sight to behold. If we now arbitrarily select one of these jewels for inspection and look closely at it, we will discover that in its polished surface there are reflected all the other jewels in the net, infinite in number. Not only that, but each of the jewels reflected in this one jewel is also reflecting all the other jewels, so that there is an infinite reflecting process occurring. Indra's
Net
This metaphor plays an essential role in the Chinese Huayan school,[6] where it is used to describe the interpenetration of microcosmos and macrocosmos.
From Wikipedia on Indra's Net:
Earlier phases of this view are less discrete, but can be glimpsed in descriptions of Indra in the Vedas as the vertical skambha, or world column, which is also associated with the motionless timeless center of the universe, the axle of the world-wheel. Approaching the felly of the wheel, one experiences the passing of Time, but approaching the center, no experience passes at all, a state in Sāṃkhya called kaivalya (isolation). This isolation is said to free one from duḥkha (literally, a 'broken or disjointed axle', but which comes later to simply signify "suffering" in all its varieties).
From Wikipedia Stambha:
Stambha in the context of Hindu mythology, is believed to be a cosmic column. It is believed that the stambha functions as a bond, which joins the heaven (Svarga) and the earth (prithvi). [Axis Mundi]
From Wikipedia on Indra's Net:
It is also likely that Indra's depiction as a chariot-driver, reins in hand, helped to reify the image of the threads that comprise the net, since it is with these reins that Indra causes the world to revolve.
From Wikipedia Indra:
Indra is the leader of the Devas and the lord of Svargaloka or a level of Heaven in Hinduism. He is the deva of rain and thunderstorms. He wields a lightning thunderbolt known as vajra and rides on a white elephant known as Airavata. [reference to throat chakra and Buddha, and the thunderbolts to Odin, Elijah and the archangelic hierarchy.]
Indra is the most important deity worshiped by the Rigvedic tribes and is the son of Dyaus and the goddess Savasi.
His home is situated on Mount Meru in the heavens. He is celebrated as a demiurge [Adam Kadmon] who pushes up the sky, releases Ushas (dawn) from the Vala cave, and slays Vṛtra; both latter actions are central to the Soma sacrifice.
He is associated with Vajrapani - the Chief Dharmapala or Defender and Protector of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha who embodies the power of the Five Dhyani Buddhas.
On the other hand, he also commits many kinds of mischief (kilbiṣa) for which he is sometimes punished. [Shiva/Lucifer]
In the Puranas, Indra is bestowed with a heroic and almost brash and amorous character at times, even as his reputation and role diminished in later Hinduism with the rise of the Trimurti. [Krishna.]
Indra is also the father of Arjuna.
The world axis connecting Heaven and Earth.
From Wikipedia Axis Mundi:
The
axis mundi (also cosmic axis, world axis, world pillar, center of the world, world tree), in certain beliefs and philosophies, is the world center, or the connection between Heaven and Earth.
As the celestial pole and geographic pole, it expresses a point of connection between sky and earth where the four compass directions meet. At this point travel and correspondence is made between higher and lower realms.
Communication from lower realms may ascend to higher ones and blessings from higher realms may descend to lower ones and be disseminated to all. The spot functions as the omphalos (navel), the world's point of beginning.
The image is mostly viewed as feminine, as it relates to the center of the earth (perhaps like an umbilical providing nourishment).
It may have the form of a natural object (a mountain, a tree, a vine, a stalk, a column of smoke or fire) or a product of human manufacture (a staff, a tower, a ladder, a staircase, a maypole, a cross, a steeple, a rope, a totem pole, a pillar, a spire).
The connection to the Holy Grail is present too.
From Wikipedia Axis Mundi:
Within the central known universe a specific locale-often a mountain or other elevated place, a spot where earth and sky come closest gains status as center of the center, the axis mundi.
High mountains are typically regarded as sacred by peoples living near them. Shrines are often erected at the summit or base.
Mount Kunlun fills a similar role in China. For the ancient Hebrews Mount Zion expressed the symbol. Sioux beliefs take the Black Hills as the axis mundi. Mount Kailash is holy to Hinduism and several religions in Tibet. The Pitjantjatjara people in central Australia consider Uluru to be central to both their world and culture.
In ancient Mesopotamia the cultures of ancient Sumer and Babylon erected artificial mountains, or ziggurats, on the flat river plain. These supported staircases leading to temples at the top. The Hindu temples in India are often situated on high mountains. E.g. Amarnath, Tirupati, Vaishno Devi etc.
The pre-Columbian residents of Teotihuacán in Mexico erected huge pyramids featuring staircases leading to heaven. Jacob's Ladder is an axis mundi image, as is the Temple Mount. For Christians the Cross on Mount Calvary expresses the symbol.
The Middle Kingdom, China, had a central mountain, Kunlun, known in Taoist literature as "the mountain at the middle of the world." To "go into the mountains" meant to dedicate oneself to a spiritual life.
Monasteries of all faiths tend, like shrines, to be placed at elevated spots. Wise religious teachers are typically depicted in literature and art as bringing their revelations at world centers: mountains, trees, temples.
From Masterbuilders
The “point” is the formless origin: of shapes, of humans, of all beings.
For the Hindus, it is the Bindu, the circle of emptiness and the seed of manifestation. Thus the manifestation is conceived as the expansion of a point in the four directions, and is therefore the intersection of the branches of the cross, the center of the world, the mythical omphalos.
A great number of traditions identify the center of the world as a navel (omphalos in Greek) from whence the "manifestation" radiates in the four directions. In the Rig Veda, we speak of the navel of the unimagined, on which rested the seed of the world, the Holy Grail.
The navel not only indicates the center of physical manifestation, but it is also the spiritual center of the world, such as the “ladder” (“bethyle” in Hebrew) in the form of a column, raised by Jacob, or the omphalos of Delphi, the center of the Cult of Apollo, the solar god, or again like certain menhirs such as Er Grah, or the Rock of Fail, which were the Celtic omphalos.
A legend of the "Mexica," ancient name of the Aztec people, tells us that the ancestors, guided by a shaman deified, Huitzilopochtli, searched many years for the foundation site of Mexico. This site, according to the prophecy, would be indicated by an eagle perched on a cactus that was eating a snake while holding it between its talons. At first sight, this prophecy appears abstruse, but if we look at it more closely, we notice that the eagle is the solar bird "par excellence" and that it represents the forces of the sky; the serpent represents in all traditions the energies of the earth.
The Aztec prophecy speaks to us therefore of a site where the energies of the sky and of the earth meet. This meeting place is another "Axis Mundi," a privileged site where the spirit breathes, which is symbolized by the Aztec Quetzalcoatl or the Kukulcan of the Mayan tradition. The omphalos is therefore the site where the cosmos materializes the order of the world, a type of interface between the material and spiritual.
But if on an intellectual level, we succeed in forming an idea of what the center is, we feel its materialization is wanting: we realize we need a physical form for the center we have imagined. We are talking of the axis of the world, of a sacred stone or omphalos; but when we consider the vast diversity of materials as well as the methods employed for the assembly of sacred sites, we realize, at least intuitively, that this has little importance -- though one should not for this reason underestimate its quality. We don't obtain the same vibrational quality with a piece of granite as we would with an old piece of stoneware or sandstone.
Copyright 2004 Dominique Susani
The most important oracle in the ancient world was at Delphi, Greece. Legend asserts that the second temple at Delphi was constructed by bees and that the Omphalos Stone resembles a beehive and is designed with crisscrossing rows of carved bees. The Oracle was used by the a goddess named Pythia who rejuvenated the tradition of shamanic female seers, a position of importance that later evolved into the Sybils.
The city of Atlantis was the center of the world empire that lasted for thousands of years. It had for streams out from its center, formed within a large ring, like the sun cross.
The Shiva lingam is another form of the Axis Mundi.
From Vedanta: A subtle representative of God that is present in our body. Kundalini is coiled with it in three and half coils. It shows Paramatman in the form of Atman and Shakti in the form of Kundalini.
Humanity is Axis Mundi, our spine connects heaven and earth when we get the kundalini energy running.
There are three forces connected with the spine, also called Aaron’s rod or Sushumna. These are Kundalini, the serpent-fire, Ida the female force, and Pingala the male force. The Moon moves in the Ida and the Sun in the Pingala. Ida is cooling. Pingala is heating. The two serpents, around the Spine, has two different colors like the two outer pillars in the Kabbalah Tree of Life, and they have the same interpretations as the Feminine and Masculine energies. They connect Earth with the spiritual world and the spiritual world with Earth. For these to flow the Lotus Flowers, or Chakras, has to be open or running.
See also Serpents of the Kundalini Fire
Indra's Net is related to interbeing. Interbeing teaches that all of existence is a vast nexus of causes and conditions, constantly changing, in which everything is interconnected to everything else.
The structure is dharma and the connections are karma.
In Nordic Mythology we have Ask Yggdrasil, the World Tree were all of creation is part.
A more popular version:
Yggdrasil - Axis Mundi
Both Indra and Boddhisattva Maitreya is known to have their home on Mount Mehru.
From Wikipedia Mount Meru:
Mount Meru is a sacred mountain with five peaks in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist cosmology and is considered to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes.
Meru, also called Sumeru or Sineru, is shaped like an hour glas with a pyramid like foundation, microcosmos.
See the Teenets of Freemasonry.
Sri yantra, also called Sri Chakra, is the mother of all yantras as all other yantras derive from it.
From S'rî Chakra - Universal Jîva Archetype
The most fundamental archetype of our universe is the S'rî Chakra. S'rî means supreme and Chakra means circular structure. The S'rî Chakra exists as a three-dimensional construct within which all evolving beings exist. It serves as a superstructure upon which the 432,000 devas responsible for the functioning of the body perch, like birds on a tree. One of the most important functions of the S'rî Chakra is to act as a communications device -- much like an antennae -- that connects the individual mind with the Mind of the Creator, Lord Brahma.
The jîva is the fundamental, eternal life unit of every evolving being and hence a very important object of study for anyone who is interested in improving the quality and quantity of his or her life. If the jîva is eternal and the core of our individual life, why do we not have a much greater awareness of the jîva? Why do we only live for a few years? What happens to us after we die? Are we reborn in another body? Why is life so difficult to bear at times, even unbearable, and at other times so joyful? Knowledge of the jîva will provide the answers to these questions and many more.
Even though a jîva is made of nothing but consciousness, it has a very specific structure based on the S’rî Chakra, the universal jîva archetype. The S’rî Chakra is a geometrical knowledge construct. A geometrical knowledge construct is a precisely configured collection of fundamental geometrical patterns that completely define a specific realm of knowledge.
Most of us are not used to thinking in terms of knowledge contained in a geometric pattern. We might normally think about knowledge as a thought or collection of words. However, primordial knowledge that forms the basis of everything is in the form of precise, three-dimensional geometric patterns. These three-dimensional patterns arise in the medium of consciousness, like ripples on the surface of a still lake.
Like ripples in water, the primordial geometric knowledge constructs fade away if not refreshed. To refresh a primordial geometric knowledge construct, one must only bring it to mind and think about it. Whatever we put our attention on will be reinforced and grow stronger because attention infuses s’aktî into the object of attention. This is due to the spontaneous natural functioning of consciousness.
It represent Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain at the center of the universe, what can be seen in it's three dimentional form.
Here we are at the pyramid.
It is said that in the beginning God, who was one, wanted to become many and enjoy himself.
As the first step to creation he created Devi – the total cosmic Female force.
For the male part, out of his left he created Shiva, out of his middle he created Brahma and out of his right he created Vishnu.
That is why many regard the Devi as more powerful than the Trinities and hence She is called Parashakti or Paradevi – Para meaning beyond . Brahma created the universe.
Vishnu controls and runs the universe. Shiva along with Shakti is engaged in the eternal dissolution and recreation of the universe.
The Bindu in the center of the Shreechakra is the symbolic representation of the cosmic spiritual union of Shiva and Shakti. Apart from that the Shreechakra also embodies countless number of deities and represents the whole of creation. Hence by worshiping the Devi in Shreechakra one is actually worshiping the highest ultimate force.
The triangles represent Devis:
Picture showing the position of the Devis of 4th to 8th avarana
Follow the link for the names.
Chakra pooja or Yantra pooja is the worship of a deity in a diagrammatic form. This type of worship exists in a lot of the other parts of the world also. The worship Shreechakra is the highest form of the Devi worship.
Originally Lord Shiva gave 64 Chakras and corresponding Mantras to the world. For his consort Devi he gave the Shreechakra and powerful Shodashakshari mantra, which is the equivalent of all the other 64 put together.
The Nava Avaranas (Nine Corridors) of the Sri Yantra
My intuition tells me that the sequence may be interesting for the understanding of the components, as the inclusions and intersections of the triangles.
Definition of the triangles: Sri Yantra Definition
Definition of intersections: Sri Yantra Intersections - Marma Points
Definition of drawing sequence: How to Draw the Sri Yantra
Various drawing methods: Construction methods
The pyramid is depicting microcosmos, the lower part of Mount Meru.
The pyramid is said to be build from above, but it's the spiritual pyramid, first the Archai was created, then the Archangels, and so forth:
If we see it as the top of the inverted world tree is gives full meaning that it is build from above.
And as a pagode.
Here we have a combination of Yantra, the Tree and the Bird Phoenix.
There is two trees, one growing downward, creation is downward, and one growing upward, development is upward.
Inverted Tree of Kabbalah
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The kaballah tree can be seen as a time glass, with Tipharet in the center:
Merkaba Cosmos
Hamsa is a symbol for good fortune or protection, and is known in Middle East and in Southern Asia, but the name Hamsa is Arabic.
It reminds of both the Tree of Life and the Shiva Lingam seen from above.
The Tetractys corresponds to the Kabbalah Tree of Life, but it's relation to the Pyramids is also clear.
The original man, the archetype of the creation, he contains all the hierarchies, and in each hierarchy there is the original being, the Logoi, who's the archetype of the hierarchy.
From Aither, Chronos creates an egg which splits in two, and from which Phanes, the first-born of the Gods (Protogonos), issued: Phanes, the creator of all.
Phanes has both sexes and is able to give birth all of himself.
He is imagined as marvelously beautiful, a figure of shining light, with golden wings on his shoulder, four eyes, and the heads of various animals.
He has many names in addition to Phanes: Dionysos, Erikepaios, Eros, Metis, and Protogonos.
He is Adam Kadmon.
Time gods are whats called Archai in Christian tradition, Kronos in greek, Zervan in Persian, Beginnings of time, Spirits of the seasons and Spirits of time.
The lion head symbolizes Christ or Vishnu, and the snake represents Lucifer or Shiva, the face of God, he stands on a globe, Ahriman or Brahma.
This god always has a snake wound round his body and sometimes the signs of the zodiac are seen in the spaces between its coils. He often has four wings, one pair pointing upward and the other downward.
On the paintings in the Barberini Mithraeum Saturn is shown, as is often the case, standing on a globe, and it is specially interesting to note that the Time-god is here surrounded by the signs of the zodiac which decorate the vault of the cave where the bull-slaying is set.
The sevenfold windings of the snake are definitely connected with the planets and the coils themselves indicate the course of the sun through the zodiac. The sun has thus become part of the god; he is the sun determining time in its course. He dominates the zodiac and as such is Chronos, Time.
But he is also the ruler over the four winds, represented by his four wings. He is known to order the seasons too, and again he does this both in his role as Sol and in his role as Time. We are reminded of the figure of Caelus, the god of heaven, who is depicted on an altar at Carnuntum surrounded by the Wind-gods and the seasons. [Archai]
The lion's head on the stomach of the statue from Castel Gandolfo recalls a second statue from Merida where the god again has a lion's head on his chest. He is shown, however, not as an awesome figure but as a youth and we may unhesitatingly detect an identification with Mithras himself who, in another representation originally at Merida, is shown standing with a lion crouching at his feet. The fire-symbolism of the Lion grade in the cult, the Lion with the fire-shovel as attribute, is definitely related to this figure. It is interesting that a statue from Strasbourg shows the Time-god holding a fire-shovel in his hand, a reminder that at the end of time all will be consumed in an overwhelming conflagration. Thus the god with the lion's head is the symbol of devouring time.
Krishna is Adam Kadmon.
The Tower of Babel is Axis Mundi, it is the spiritual building of the Universe, of the spiritual hierarchies, but it breaks down at Kali Yuga, also symbolized through the death of Krishna, we are not connected directly with the spiritual beings above us, we are becoming something not existing before, we can't reach the gods in the way we did before. The Australian Aboriginals calls it Then End of Dreamtime.
When our lotus flowers bloom and the kundalini power connects heaven and earth, we have raised the building again.
The relation to Axis Mundi, the Skambha or Adam Kadmon is also visible.
From Zechariah 4 New English Translation (NET Bible)
11 Next I asked the messenger, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah?”
12 Before he could reply I asked again, “What are these two extensions of the olive trees, which are emptying out the golden oil through the two golden pipes?”
13 He replied, “Don’t you know what these are?” And I said, “No, sir.”
14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
The Merkabah is also a representation of the Tree of Life from Kaballah.
Merkabah, also spelled Merkava, is the divine light vehicle allegedly used by ascended masters to connect with and reach those in tune with the higher realms, symbolized with the Kabbalah.
“Mer” means Light, “Ka” means Spirit, and “Ba” means Body. Mer-Ka-Ba means the spirit/body with rotating fields of light, which transports energy in our spiritual bodies, our chakras are the seven lowest of these sephira.
The four Chayot angels, Man, Ox, Lion and Eagle, represent the basic archetypes that God used to create the current nature of the world, the lower 4 sephira. They also relate to the inner planets, Earth, Moon, Venus, and Mercury.
See Ezekiel’s Inaugural Vision:
The following quotes are taken from "Cree (Nehiyawak) Teaching" by Elder Mary Lee, if not anything else is noted.
The Tipi is seen as a woman covered with a shawl:
That is what the tipi is - it is the spirit and body of woman, because she represents the foundation of family and community. It is through her that we learn the values that bring balance into our lives. That is why, when you construct a tipi, it involves ceremony: because the ceremony of making a tipi represents the value of women’s teachings.
The Cree uses fifteen poles to build the Tipi. The first three are used to make a tripod, they represent the three creative powers of the universe: the Father, the Mother and the Son.
The three poles represent obedience, respect and humility and balanced properly they reinforce each other and are the foundation for the tipi, for the family of the father, mother and son.
The three main poles:
| Tipi Poles | Definition | ||
| Father ☉ | Obedience Nanahitaw |
Obedience means accepting guidance and wisdom from outside of ourselves, using our ears before our mouth. We learn by listening to traditional stories, by listening to our parents or guardians, our fellow students and our teachers. We learn by their behaviors and reminders, so that we know what is right and what is wrong. | |
| Mother ☾ | Respect Kisteyim |
Respect means giving honor to our Elders and fellow students, to the strangers that come to visit our community, and to all of life. We must honor the basic rights of all others. | |
| Son ⊕ | Humility Tapahteyimiso |
We are not above or below others in the circle of life. We feel humbled when we understand our relationship with Creation. We are so small compared to the majestic expanse of Creation, just a “strand in the web of life.” Understanding this helps us to respect and value life. |
The Tipi shows Microcosmos, our physical body and touches the soul:
| Tipi Poles | Definition | ||
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Happiness ♂ Miyweyihta |
After the tripod is up, the fourth pole completes your doorway. This fourth pole teaches us happiness. We must show some enthusiasm to encourage others. Our good actions will make our ancestors happy in the next world. This is how we share happiness. | |
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Love ♀ Sâkihiwe |
If we are to live in harmony we must accept one another as we are, and accept others who are not in our circle. Love means to be good and kind to one another and to our selves. | |
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Faith ☿ Tâpowakeihta |
We must learn to believe and trust others, to believe in a power greater than ourselves, whom we worship and who gives us strength to be a worthy member of the human race. To sustain our spirituality, we need to walk it every day. Not just sometimes, but every day. It’s not just once a week; it’s your life. | |
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Kinship ☾ Itâhjômo |
Our family is important to us. This includes our parents, brothers and sisters, who love us and give us roots that tie us to the lifeblood of the earth. It also includes extended family: grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and their in-laws and children. They are also our brothers and sisters and give us a sense of belonging to a community. | |
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Cleanliness ☉ Miyohtwâ |
Today when we talk about cleanliness, most people think hygiene, and that’s very important. But years ago, when old people talked about cleanliness, they meant spiritual cleanliness. When I used to sit with the old Kookums in their tipis, spiritually, they were so powerfully clean. Clean thoughts come from a clean mind and this comes from our spirituality. With a clean mind and sense of peace within we learn not to inflict ills on others. Good health habits also reflect a clean mind. | |
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Thankfulness ☿ Nanâskomo |
We learn to give thanks: to always be thankful for the Creator’s bounty, which we are privileged to share with others, and for all the kind things others do for us | |
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Sharing ♀ Mâtinamâke (wîcihitâso) |
We learn to be part of a family and community by helping with the provisions of food and other basic needs. Through the sharing of responsibilities we learn the value of working together and enjoying the fruits of our labor. | |
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Strength ♂ Sohkâtisi |
We are not talking about physical strength, but spiritual strength. That was instilled in us when we were young people through fasting. We must learn to be patient in times of trouble and not to complain but to endure and show understanding. We must accept difficulties and tragedies so that we may give others strength to accept their own difficulties and tragedies. | |
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Good child rearing ♃ Kakeskimâwaso |
Children are gifts from the Creator. We are responsible for their wellbeing, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and intellectually, since they are blessed with the gift of representing the continuing circle of life, which we perceive to be the Creator’s will. | |
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Hope ♄ Pakoseyimo |
We must look forward to moving toward good things. We need to have a sense that the seeds we are planting will bear fruit for our children, families and communities. | |
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Ultimate Protection ♄ Ayamihâ/Kâkesimo |
This is the ultimate responsibility to achieve the balance and well being of the body, mind, emotions and spirit for the individual, the family, the community and the nation. | |
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Control flaps ♃ Nitohtaw |
The control flaps on a tipi teach that we are all connected by relationship and that we depend on each other. Having respect for and understanding this connection creates and controls harmony and balance in the circle of life. When we don’t know how to use the flaps, it gets all smoky inside the tipi, and you can’t see, which is like life – because if we can’t live in balance, we can’t see clearly where we’re going. |
My guestimate is that Physical represents the body, alternatively it contained both body and etheric body, but as it is a nature religion I think they distinguish between them.
Emotional I believe relates to the etheric body, as they are more difficult to handle, and Mental is the more lively word thinking of the astral body, where spirit is the soul.
The connection to the pyramids are clear and selfevident.
This is a slightly different way to show the universe.
3rd BC Tetradrachm Coin from Crete, Apollo with the inscription (ΠΟΛΧΟΣ ) Polhos and a circular Labyrinth with the inscription (ΚΝΩΣΙΩΝ) Cnossus
... they made the Labyrinth which lies a little above Lake Moeris, in the neighbourhood of the place called the city of Crocodiles. I visited this place, and found it to surpass description; for if all the walls and other great works of the Greeks could be put together in one, they would not equal, either for labour or expense, this Labyrinth; and yet the temple of Ephesus is a building worthy of note, and so is the temple of Samos. The pyramids likewise surpass description, and are severally equal to a number of the greatest works of the Greeks, but the Labyrinth surpasses the pyramids. It has twelve courts, all of them roofed, with gates exactly opposite one another, six looking to the north, and six to the south. A single wall surrounds the entire building. There are two different sorts of chambers throughout—half under ground, half above ground, the latter built upon the former; the whole number of these chambers is three thousand, fifteen hundred of each kind. The upper chambers I myself passed through and saw, and what I say concerning them is from my own observation; of the underground chambers I can only speak from report: for the keepers of the building could not be got to show them, since they contained (as they said) the sepulchres of the kings who built the Labyrinth, and also those of the sacred crocodiles. Thus it is from hearsay only that I can speak of the lower chambers. The upper chambers, however, I saw with my own eyes, and found them to excel all other human productions; for the passages through the houses, and the varied windings of the paths across the courts excited in me infinite admiration as I passed from the courts into chambers, and from the chambers into colonnades, and from the colonnades into fresh houses, and again from these into courts unseen before. The roof was throughout of stone, like the walls; and the walls were carved all over with figures; every court was surrounded with a colonnade which was built of white stones exquisitely fitted together. At the corner of the Labyrinth stands a pyramid, forty fathoms high, with large figures engraved on it, which is entered by a subterranean passage. Herodotus, History Book 2
