Maze vs. Labyrinth

What is the difference between a maze and a labyrinth?

A labyrinth has a single through-route with twists and turns but without branches. It is not designed to be difficult to navigate. It may be long but there is only one path. Therefore, it is known as a unicursal maze. A labyrinth has only one entrance that also serves as the exit. There is just one path from the entrance to the center. Getting lost in a labyrinth is almost impossible. All a person would have to do is turn around and keep walking until they reach the entrance/exit again.

A maze on the other hand is a confusing pathway that has many branches, choices of path and dead-ends. A maze is a tour puzzle and can be designed with various levels of difficulty and complexity. It can have pathways that go over and under each other, obstacles that must be moved to continue on paths, teleports, symbols, and many other variations that make a maze complex and interesting. A maze can also have one entry and exit or multiple entry and exit points.

Mazes and labyrinths can be traced back to Greek mythology and Paganism, where they were regarded as mystical. Some labyrinths have a spiritual significance. They signify the complex and long path to reach God. Mazes were often used as a place to run off to in secrecy. Lovers would often pick spots in a maze where they could meet in an isolated area. They were also used for defense to keep out unwelcome visitors and to confuse enemies. It wasn't until recently that mazes were made for fun puzzling adventures.

So what is the bottom line?

Mazes were created to confuse and disorient you where as labyrinths were created with the purpose of taking nice, long, and pleasant walks