After more than a few years away from Empire I am looking to start up again this year and have been diligently (but potentially incompetently) kit-making for my new character (a Holberg Priest of Ambition).
I want to create a couple of beaded embroidery labyrinth panels to attach to a gown/overgown. To do this I want to print out a nice, clear black-and-white labyrinth design to trace onto the cloth I am using.
I have a feeling that the Empire labyrinth symbol isn’t entirely traditional (or at least is a specific version amongst the traditional ones), so I don’t just want to pull a random image from google.
My wiki searches haven’t returned any images I could use - I don’t suppose anyone could either point me at a reference on the wiki, or the “correct” version amongst the traditional designs (or to assure me they are all “correct”)?
Looking forwards to returning to the field and seeing you all!
Most of the iconography on the wiki is intentionally described rather than produced as an image purposely to allow people to interpret the designs as their nation’s hearth magic and character feel is right for them.
Any maze like or labyrinthian image will work, I’ve seen several different option in play already!
This is only tangentially helpful, but I wanted to show off my birthday cake that I got given by my partner in 2020. Isn’t it amazing?
But yeah, as Charlie said, while the image linked to above is the most common, there is no ‘correct’ labyrinth: do what fits for you. I have one on a cushion somewhere that’s not quite the same, but it’s packed away deep in my kit box in the garage at the moment so I have no picture.
I knew I had seen that page before, but my searches just weren’t turning it up (to be fair I didn’t search for “symbols”).
But it also makes sense not to have a formal, single ‘correct’ symbol, so it is reassuring that I can focus on iconic and straightforward, rather than “corresponding to the defined standard”. (Which may well be the labyrinth shown on the Symbols page)
Also, just seen that cake! It certainly deserves to be shown off! Fabulous.
Oh! I haven’t got a picture of it finished but this was my ‘in progress’. I made a long chain stitch out of wool, and then sewed that onto a labyrinth I had pencilled onto the fabric. It means you can sit with your eyes closed and follow the grooves with your finger.
Did someone say “Labyrinth Images”? Because, after my character’s accidental epiphany over the Longest Dark I’ve been doing some experimentation in this area
This site is brilliant (https://labyrinthos.net/) - all the labyrinth images, designs and patterns one could ask for. Following these steps (Labyrinth Layout) at the edge of Anvil might be an interesting project for a sect
I’ve been experimenting with cross-stitch and embroidery:
This is my first attempt - the pattern is from Labyrinth at Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk; wouldn’t recommend using metallic thread when starting out because it’s a pig to work with. It’s probably going to go on the front of Richardo’s liao pouch
I’ve just finished this - it’s a 7-circuit labyrinth (one for each of the Virtues) where I managed to get a symmetrical-ish design by giving the central circuit a very tight loop. It’s not as clear as I would have liked. It might go on Richardo’s hat or on the lapel of his cassock. Haven’t decided yet
This was the pattern I used for the previous piece, so you can see my intention. My next step will be to convert it into a cross-stitch design and see what happens
