The 12 Archetypes
Jung believed that universal, mythic characters (archetypes) reside within the collective unconscious of people the world over.
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a designer toy manifested into the 12 Jungian Archetypes
Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) used the concept of archetypes in his theory of the human psyche.
They are the highly developed elements of the collective unconscious and represent fundamental human motifs.
01
The Innocent
The Innocent archetype is characterized by a childlike approach to the world. Persons living primarily through this archetype are generally optimistic and believe that if they just try hard enough everything will turn out fine in the end. The dangers for this archetype include indiscriminate trust and the setting of unrealistic or unattainable goals.
- Remain in Safety
- Abandonment
- Deny or seek rescue
- Fidelity, Discernment
- Trust, Optimism, Loyalty
02
The Orphan
The Orphan archetype is a transitional figure from innocent acceptance of the world and authority (the Innocent) to active engagement with life's journey (the Warrior). Orphans are independent and self-reliant and are mistrustful of authority. Because of their inherent distrust in the motives of others, Orphans run the risk of becoming loners, eternal victims, or abusers.
- Regain safety
- Exploitation
- Hope for Rescue, Cynical compliance
- Accept help from others
- Interdependence, Empathy, Realism
03
The Warrior
As the name suggests, the Warrior archetype is concerned with defense of boundaries (bother physical and psychical) and the achievement of goals (both personal and collective). Warriors formulate plans and attempt to achieve them through force or guile, though they rarely betray their own code of honor. The Warrior archetype runs the risk of seeing violence, to others or to oneself, as the answer to all problems.
- Win, Make a difference
- Weakness, Impotence
- Slay it, Defeat it, Convert it
- Fighting for what really matters
- Courage, Discipline, Skill
04
The Caregiver
Guiding, teaching, and providing emotional support are the driving impulses of the Caregiver archetype, and with these gifts they foster a sense of community. Caregivers are sometimes tempted into martyrdom or into behaviors that lead them to smother, or ultimately devour, the object(s) of their care and concern.
- Help others through sacrifice
- Selfishness, Ingratitude
- Take care of those it harms
- Give without maiming
- Compassion, Generosity
05
The Explorer (Seeker)
The Explorer (Seeker) archetype is continually on a quest for something new or better. Emerging from a life of figurative or literal confinement, the Explorer (Seeker) goes forth to discover the world and their own inner self. This constant search can, however, lead to a chronic inability to commit and a pattern of overreaching one's abilities.
- Search for a better way/life
- Conformity, Entrapment
- Leave it, Escape it, Take off
- Be true to a higher Truth
- Autonomy, Ambition
06
The Lover
The Lover archetype expresses egalitarian connection with other persons, activities, or objects. The gift of the Lover archetype is passionate engagement with life and an understanding of the delicate balance between love and death. Lovers must beware of the loss of equality in their connections where they may be seduced or become seducers without regard for the consequences.
- Bliss, Oneness, Unity
- Loss of Love, Disconnection
- Embrace it, Love it
- Follow your bliss
- Commitment, Passion, Ecstasy
07
The Rebel (Destroyer)
Tearing down the old to make way for the new is the purview of the Rebel (Destroyer). The need for dramatic change may be personal (drastically changing one's life) or take the form of rebellion in the name of creating a better world. Rebels may fall into a pattern of change for changes' sake which can lead to a meaningless existence.
- Growth, Metamorphosis
- Stagnation, Death
- Destroy it, Be destroyed by it
- Letting go, Acceptance of Mortality
- Humility, Acceptance
08
The Creator
As the name suggests, the Creator archetype expresses creativity, growth, and synthesis. Creators remake even mundane activities into "authentic expressions of the self" but need to beware of living in the dream at the cost of everyday life.
- Creation of new life
- Abomination, Failure
- Embrace it as part of the Self
- Self-creation, Self-acceptance
- Creativity, Vocation
09
The Ruler
Rulers enjoy harmony and order and work to ensure that their domain (whether it be personal or public) is in good working order. Rulers are the ultimate organizers of processes and groups and work best when in charge of a creative team. The Ruler may fall into a pattern of abuse by eliminating weak or dissenting voices and thereby become a tyrant.
- A harmonious and prosperous life (or kingdom)
- Chaos, Loss of control
- Find its constructive use
- Be responsible
- Responsibility, Competence
10
The Magician
Transformation is the driving force behind the Magician archetype. Magicians see perceive the interconnections of web of life and understand that change can ripple outward from the self. The dangers of this archetype are abuses of personal power through naivete or arrogance.
- Transformation into greater realities
- Negative transformation
- Transform it or heal it
- Alignment with the Cosmos
- Personal power
11
The Sage
The Sage sees through appearances and illusions to find the truth. The Sage values knowledge for its own sake and uses knowledge and wisdom to help others and not as a means of control. Disillusionment, detachment, and cynicism are dangers for this archetype if they fall into a relativistic mindset.
- Truth, Understanding
- Deception, Illusion
- Study it, Understand it, Transcend it
- Attain Wisdom
- Skepticism, Non-attachment
12
The Jester (Fool)
An enlightened return to innocence characterizes the Jester (or Fool). Jesters are curious, wise, and playful, and may "play the clown" for the amusement of others while embedding life lessons in their antics. The Jester is able to play the roles of other archetypes without facing the dangers of those archetypes. The Jester's inherent irreverence may lead them to indifference or to unnecessarily create chaos in the lives of others.
- Enjoyment, Pleasure, Aliveness
- Oppression, Non-aliveness
- Play with it, Play Tricks on it
- Enjoyment of the journey
- Joy, Freedom, Liberation