Before Carl Jung introduced the ancient Greek word “archetype” into psychology, the term was used by both ancient philosophers and medieval theologians. Since the founder of analytical psychology devoured philosophical treatises as a child, it’s easy to guess that the term “archetypes” is close to Plato’s concept of “ideas.” Let’s try to explain. Imagine any book. It has a shape, a cover, thickness, contents, and a title—these are all different images, but the “idea” of the book itself is closer to the concept of an archetype. The same thing happens in our psyche. Archetypes are universal principles, recurring patterns, the entire accumulated experience of humanity through which we perceive reality. According to Jung, archetypes “inhabit” a common space called the collective unconscious.
What do archetypes contain, and how do they differ from archetypal images? How do archetypes manifest in life? How does contact with the unconscious help us improve relationships with ourselves and others and realize our hidden potential?
Archetypes: How to Recognize Them?
From ancient Greek, “archetype” translates as “prototype” and encompasses many things: instincts and universal mythological motifs. Through such prototypes, accumulated human experience is passed down from generation to generation, through the national and cultural strata of society.
It’s important to distinguish between an archetype and an archetypal image. An archetype encompasses many similar plots—for example, fairy tales and legends about a hero battling a dragon. An archetypal image is a specific fairy tale or myth—for example, the myth of Heracles defeating the Lernaean Hydra.
Jung did not identify a strict number of archetypal figures and initially described the basic ones—the so-called “human” or anthropomorphic ones. These are the Shadow, Anima, Animus, Child, Mother, Father, Old Man, Trickster, Hero, and Maiden. Later, researchers Margaret Mark and Carol Pearson reinterpreted this view—in their book “The Hero and the Rebel,” they identified 12 archetypes and renamed them. Although Mark and Pearson’s approach has achieved marketing success and is used to create brands, it is a mistake to believe that there is a single, correct number of archetypes. Jung himself asserted that there are “exactly as many archetypes as there are typical life situations. “
Archetypes are ambivalent, meaning they simultaneously contain opposing traits and qualities. For example, the Father archetype manifests itself in both the loving Zeus and the destructive Cronus, who devours his children. Both examples are the same archetypal image of the Father, albeit contradictory.
It’s helpful to understand how archetypes manifest in life. This facilitates psychological growth through attempts to establish a connection between our conscious life and the archetypal part of human existence. By understanding archetypes, we can heal internal traumas and notice patterns in the behavior of others. We gain knowledge about archetypes, among other things, from the manifestations of our own unconscious—in dreams and fantasies, and in reality—in recurring and unconscious conflicts. Let’s examine how this happens using some archetypes as examples.
Shadow
This archetype symbolizes the part of our personality that we are ashamed of; all the experiences we reject. In dreams, the Shadow can appear as a character of the same gender and approximately the same age as us. If you look closely, you can discover unacceptable qualities. For example, a typical “A” student’s Shadow will contain a “F” grade for some knowledge or activity. Conversely, a “C” student’s Shadow conceals a desire for perfectionism and idealism. By exploring this archetype, we can not only discover and acknowledge contradictions within ourselves but also turn them into our strength—for the Shadow represses not only dark personality traits but also suppressed talents.
Anima and Animus
The anima is the unconscious feminine part of a man’s personality, while the animus is the masculine part of a woman’s personality. A man’s anima contains his sensuality, while a woman’s animus contains her rationality.
A man who is out of touch with his anima doesn’t understand and denies emotions, making it quite difficult for him to build relationships. A woman who is disconnected from her animus has poor contact with her own aggression: she may have a hard time asserting boundaries and achieving what she wants. She may also be tormented by the voice of an inner critic, dissatisfied with both herself and those around her: “You’re not trying hard enough,” “They’re always doing it wrong.”
Self
According to Jung, the most important archetype is the Self. It symbolizes the integrity and unity of the personality, and the desire for the Self is the need to realize one’s full potential. This archetype signifies the significance of events occurring to a person and profound personal transformation. In dreams, it can be recognized in images such as mandalas, circular spaces, circle dances, and talking animals. Some people are even able to recognize the “call” of their Self as a feeling and a thirst for impending change.
Noticing ancient archetypal manifestations in everyday situations means better understanding how to manage your life, realize your potential, achieve wholeness, and realize the meaning of your existence. You can begin to unravel the intricacies of the unconscious with a therapist.
