A Man, a Woman, a Monster and the Meaning of Life

The Cretan Labyrinth as a Key to Understand Ourselves

Ancient myths often contain symbols that clarify the meaning of our actions or even our entire lives. The symbol of the labyrinth, widespread in all human cultures, has a particularly rich and profound version in ancient Greek culture, which sets it in Crete. After presenting the most widespread version of the myth and discussing some of its psychological meanings, I will discuss the interpretation of Italian philosopher Giorgio Colli.

The Labyrinth of Crete is one of the oldest and most disturbing myths in Western European culture. Crete is a large Mediterranean island that was home to the sophisticated Minoan civilization.

The ‘Ladies in Blue’ (a replica of a fresco from the Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete) / Emile Guilleron (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

The capital, Knossos, is the setting for the myth of the Cretan Labyrinth, which brings together many aspects of human life in a deep and disturbing bond.

The English language notoriously distinguishes between labyrinth and maze.

• In the former case, the path is one, however tangled, and so it is just a matter of trusting and continuing on despite the twists and turns of the path.
• In the latter case, the path forks constantly, often leading the explorer into dead ends. Getting to the end requires not only stamina, but also…