Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung noticed through his studies that certain repeating patterns of actions and thought appear throughout multiple cultures and time through their stories and myths. He identified and described these universally recognized objects, items or ideas as Archetypes.
The first Archetype is THE SHADOW. The shadow is the part of us that is associated with wildness, chaos, the unknown and tends to pull us into chaos and battles. It does not follow the established rules. It likes to go into the unknown and in so doing, sometime discovers new territories.
It appears in our hallucinations, daydreams, and nightmares as something to be feared, that is bad, evil or diabolical in some way. It knows a person’s deepest thoughts and fears and can use these fears and thoughts against them.
The next major Archetype pattern is that of the ANIMA (female) / ANIMUS. (male) Many believe that this is one’s Soul, our true self. It is believed that we can connect to the Collective Unconscious by route of the Soul. Everyone has both femininity and masculinity within them. The perfect combination of the masculine and the feminine is known as SYZYGY which embodies the idea of wholeness and completion.
Man’s eternal search for their Soul-mates represents this longing for completion by merging with the opposite sex. This is the ultimate sacred union.
THE FOURTH Archetype Jung identifies is THE SELF. THE SELF is the spirit that is part of the Universe and connects us to it. THE SELF, for Jung, is not just “me” but God. It is often viewed as the sacredness within ourselves.
Other Archetypes, easily recognizable, Some family Archetypes include the FATHER which represents Power and control and The MOTHER which represents Nurturing.
Archetypes within stories and Myths can again be easily recognized by the symbolism and patterns. The HERO is seen as the champion and rescuer. The MAIDEN represents purity and sexual desire. The TRICKSTER represents the deceiving fool or what is hidden from the conscious. The MENTOR represents the knowledge and special guidance that they give. The EARTH MOTHER represents Nature. The Knight represents valor and loyalty. The KING represents power and authority.
There are many more Archetypes all of which represent some part of the human condition.