[Woodcarver] Geometry question for the group

[Victor Hamburger]

I did well in geometry in High School, but that was more than a while ago now. 
I am interested in learning to draw a 13 point star geometrically.  I know I can 
lay one out with a CAD program, but the Cathedral at Chartres, built 700-800 yrs 
ago, has a labryinth laid out on the floor.  To correctly design the labyrinth, 
you need to know how to lay out a 13 point star.  In those days, some builder 
knew how to lay out a 13 point star to do this........

I have googled around and not found anything on 13 point stars and geometry, at 
least not that I can see on the links!  Any googling on labyrinths gets me lots 
of info except how to lay out the star for this one.

BTW, a labyrinth is a path, laid out in a geometric figure such as a circle 
(Chartres) or other figure.  It has an entrance and end point in the middle and 
to get in and out again you follow the singular path.  A maze on the other hand 
has a path but with multiple turns that are wrong turns and dead ends.  The 
point of the labyrinth is to enter and walk the path, allowing your mind to be 
free to pray, chant, or otherwise let go of your usual thoughts and let your 
inner thoughts take over. You can learn more by googling on labyrinths and Grace 
Cathedral in San Francisco.  They have an extensive set of links and details 
there to more info on labyrinths.

What has this got to do with carving? Well, beside the rosette possibilities for 
chip carving a 13 point star, there are finger labyrinths you can carve so you 
don't need a 45' circle in your house or garden......only an 18" sq board.  I 
may never carve one, but it is worth the mental challenge to pursue it.

Thanks,  Vic H