Continuing Cornwall’s tradition of rock carvings

Last updated on: August 29, 2016 at 10:26 am by Megan Manson

Continuing Cornwall’s tradition of rock carvings 2016-08-29T10:26:32+00:00 Megan Manson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

One of the Rocky Valley labyrinths, Cornwall, England. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

When I was a very young child, my Dad took us all on a holiday to Tintagel in Cornwall, one of Britain’s biggest Pagan hotspots due to its associations with the legends of King Arthur. Being enamoured with Tintagel’s mythical history, my Dad made sure that our itinerary included visiting the nearby Rocky Valley to see the mysterious pair of labyrinths carved into the rock by the ruined Trewethett Mill in the middle of the woods. If I remember correctly, the labyrinths weren’t all that easy to find. Locals are protective of the labyrinths and can be wary about telling people where they are as in recent times the area has been subject to vandalism. But eventually we did manage to find them, and I remember the joy of finally seeing the beautiful designs, secluded in the peaceful woodland.

No one really knows how old the labyrinth carvings are and what they could mean. The fact that they are similar to other designs found in ancient European art has led some writers to speculate that they were carved by ancient people who migrated from the Mediterranean to Cornwall in prehistoric times. It is far more likely that the carvings have more recent origins – this excellent essay on Labyrinthos suggests that they may have been carved by the tenants of Trewethett Mill, which would date them somewhere around the late 1700s-1800s. The 18th-19th century origins seem quite feasible; the labyrinth symbol was well-known to people of the era, and a children’s game that involved drawing mazes is described by the Reverend Trollope in 1858. The Rocky Valley labyrinths could be nothing more than a child’s graffiti.

But the fact that the labyrinths may not have such romantic origins as some have imagined does not seem to have affected their significance for modern people. The site has now become something of a Pagan shrine, with visitors leaving offerings of ribbons in the trees (and, sadly, less thoughtful people hammering coins into the rock and causing damage to the site). For Pagans, the labyrinth is a sacred symbol, regardless of whether or not it has been created in prehistory or modern times. The presence of the labyrinths at Rocky Valley simply adds to the already mystical energy that pervades Tintagel and provides a central point at which to contemplate this magic and make one’s prayers to the spirits of nature.

I therefore find it somewhat surprising that another mystical carving recently created at a local landmark, not far away at all from Rocky Valley, has attracted so much criticism from both Pagans and non-Pagans alike.

Art, Craft & Expression

Previous Post

February 17, 2016

Is reality blue & black or white & gold?

Next Post

February 25, 2016 Pagan, Spiritual & Magical Book Reviews February 2016

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art, Craft & Expression Musings & Miscellaneous Nature & Science News & Reviews Ritual & Festivals Secularism, Politics & Human Rights Shinto & Japanese Religion Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Messiah" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Chosen One Son of God Savior Anointed One