Mazes

A maze is a network of paths designed to be traversed, typically featuring multiple branches, dead ends, and intersections. Its purpose ranges from entertainment and decoration to puzzle-solving. By contrast, a labyrinth is commonly described as a single, unicursal route without branches, whereas a maze offers choices.

Mazes are built with different materials. Hedge mazes use living shrubs to create tall walls; corn mazes are cut from fields of maize, a seasonal feature in North America. Other forms include brick, tile, wood, or plastic mazes, and some modern mazes exist as digital, printed, or large-scale outdoor installations.

History and culture: Hedge mazes became prominent in European gardens during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, serving as ornamental displays and social venues in royal or aristocratic estates. The term labyrinth is used in various traditions to describe non-branching routes, and some writers distinguish it from a maze by structure, though usage varies.

Solving a maze involves finding a path from entrance to exit. Common strategies include following a wall (the wall-following heuristic); marking explored corridors; or dividing the maze into sections to reduce backtracking. This heuristic works in many mazes but not all, especially those with loops or isolated sections.

Contemporary mazes appear in theme parks, fairs, books, and digital media, and can range from family-friendly garden installations to large-scale temporary exhibits. They continue to illustrate spatial reasoning, design, and playful problem-solving, bridging horticulture, art, and entertainment.