In Greek mythology, the labyrinth (Greek: λαβύρινθος labyrinthos) was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos.  Its function was to hold the Minotaur eventually killed by the hero Theseus. Daedalus had so cunningly made the Labyrinth that he could barely escape it after he built it.

In English, the term labyrinth is generally synonymous with a maze.  As a result of the long history of unicursal representation of the mythological Labyrinth, however, many contemporary scholars and enthusiasts observe a distinction between the two.  In this specialised usage maze refers to a complex branching multicursal puzzle with choices of path and direction, while a unicursal labyrinth has only a single path to the center.  A labyrinth in this sense has an unambiguous route to the center and back and is not difficult to navigate.

Unicursal patterns have been used historically both in group rituals and for private meditation and are increasingly found in hospitals and hospices for therapeutic use.  The Romans created many primarily decorative unicursal designs on walls and floors in tile or mosaic.  Many labyrinths set in floors or on the ground are large enough that the path can be walked.  Unicursal patterns have been used historically both in group ritual and for private meditation and are increasingly found for therapeutic use in hospitals and hospices.