Archetype (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what an archetype is in various disciplines. In addition, we tell you what Carl Jung's 12 archetypes are.

carl jung archetype — Carl Jung proposed the existence of twelve basic archetypes, inspired by the tarot.

What is an archetype?

an archetype It is a model, pattern or example from which it is possible to obtain different objects, ideas or concepts and that at the same time allows us to visualize the things that the latter have in common. The word comes from the union of two ancient Greek words: arché (“source” or “origin”) and types (“models” or “forms”).

The concept of archetype has been used in different disciplines throughout history, more or less as a synonym for prototype or paradigm, that is, for that which inaugurates a new series of similar elements or that serves as a prefiguration, as a preview. or as a generalization of said series.

However, the term archetype is of particular relevance in the field of philosophy, in which it has been used since ancient times, by philosophers such as the Greek Plato (c.427-347 BC), for example, who called thus to the perfect and eternal concepts that existed in the divine mind and that served as a pattern for the creation of the real world.

Subsequently, the concept of archetype appeared in analytical psychology (psychoanalysis) thanks to the work of Sigmund Freud's friend and disciple, the Swiss Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), as part of his formulated theory on the existence of an “unconscious.” collective”.

According to Jung, the experiences of our ancestors are transmitted to subsequent generations through psychic archetypes, that is, pseudo-literary figures that always evoke similar feelings and affinities in people and which the psychoanalyst summarized in 12 fundamental cases. In the words of CG Jung himself:

“Primordial images are the oldest, most general and deepest thoughts of humanity. They have both feelings and thoughts; What's more, they have something like their own independent life, like that kind of partial soul, which we can easily see in all philosophical or Gnostic systems, which are based on the perception of the unconscious as a source of knowledge” (The unconscious1976).

These archetypes are preconscious figures, that is, they are acquired unconsciously and are, according to Jung's theories, useful for the study of culture, since they not only allow us to recognize common cultural patterns in literary and fictional works (which as literary criticism has often done), but also to discern between types and aspects of human personalities.

Jung's 12 archetypes

Carl Gustav Jung's psychoanalytic theory proposed the existence of twelve basic archetypes, inspired by the imagery of the Tarot of Marseille and other Western literary sources, and strongly related to “archetypal events”, that is, those of deep symbolic meaning, such as birth. , death, initiation or marriage.

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Many of these archetypes have been used as models to compose stories and characters, or for branding and advertising of commercial brands.

Jung's 12 archetypes are:

The innocent. An archetype of optimism and purity, which embodies the childlike, naive or dreamy view of the world, prone to helping and trusting others, even when this is detrimental to their own interests. The innocent is the eternal child and is inspired to some extent by the fool's tarot card. Examples of this in popular culture are: Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Snow White or Samwell Tarly from game of Thrones.
The magician. An archetype that embodies transformation, secret knowledge and the traditional attributes of the sorcerer or alchemist, that is, the secret knowledge of the world. Prone to selfishness and obsession, the magician's behavior is always shaped by his great ambitions and his desire to control reality, so that he can make deals and later regret them. It is inspired by the tarot card of the same name and are examples of this in popular culture: the magician Merlin, Rasputin, Faust or Saruman in the lord of the rings.
the warrior. An archetype that represents heroism, commitment, tenacity and faith in one's chosen destiny, is inspired by the tarot card of strength, where a man is shown opening the mouth of a beast. The warrior's destiny is guided by his passions and tasks, his promises to third parties or his ideals of a just and better world. However, he is prone to getting lost along the path, along which he advances blindly, thoughtlessly. Examples of this in popular culture are: Hercules, Superman, Aragorn of the lord of the rings or Neo in The Matrix.
The caretaker. An archetype in which tenderness, compassion, sacrifice and generosity come together. The caregiver puts other people's needs before their own and finds their vital meaning in protecting those in need, that is, in giving. His darker aspects make him prone to victimhood and martyrology. It is identified with the high priestess in the tarot and examples of this in popular culture are: the fairy godmother, Mary Poppins or Samwise Gamgee in the lord of the rings.
The lover. An archetype inspired by passion, falling in love, the effervescence of pleasures and feelings, which is identified in the tarot with the card of lovers (or the devil). The lover aspires to nothing other than to live his love and does everything to achieve intimacy: he can be generous, selfish, kind or cruel, depending on his love or his spite. It is a youthful, adolescent archetype, prone to narcissism and jealousy. Examples of this in popular culture are: Prince Charming, Tristan, Pepe Le Pew or Jaime Lannister in game of Thrones.
The explorer. An archetype that represents curiosity, the eagerness for adventure and knowledge, eternally thirsty for new things. This is an individual eternally in motion, always dissatisfied and expectant, capable of motivating others, but incapable of settling down and being still for a long time. It is related to the chariot tarot card and are examples of popular culture: The Errant Knight, Indiana Jones, Geralt of The Witcher or Han Solo from Star Wars.
The ruler. An archetype that brings together wisdom, power, control and overall vision, which is identified with the old king, that is, with the tarot cards of the emperor or empress. Identified with the father or mother, the ruler is a control freak and sets the guidelines for others to follow, either because he is convinced of having a general vision of the collective good or because he feels he is the only one capable of doing it the right way. His determination and verticality can make him a ruthless, inflexible archetype. Examples of this in popular culture are: King Arthur, Professor The Godfather.
The trickster or jester. An archetype that represents playfulness, a disposition for lightness, mockery and cynicism. The trickster connects with others through humor, either to brighten their existence, or as a form of subversion, of rebellion, since he has a vision or a truth that others ignore or are unaware of. His dark side, however, makes him prone to not believing in anything and does not usually take part in any cause, or to selfishness, lies and deception. It is identified with the tarot card of the hanged man and examples of this in popular culture are: the Greek god Hermes (Mercury for the Romans), the Norse god Loki, Captain Jack Sparrow or the Joker of batman.
the wise. An archetype linked to wisdom, asceticism, the renunciation of worldly pleasures and the search for enlightenment, which corresponds in the tarot to the hermit card. The wise man turns his back on the known world to bet on transcendence, that is, on the truth that underlies all things. This means that he is the possessor of great wisdom (as his name indicates), but also that he has little or no connection with everyday affairs and people. Examples of this in popular culture are: Mr. Miyagi's Karate KidYoda in Star Wars or Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings.
The traditionalist. An archetype that should not be understood as “normality” or “regularity”, but rather as attachment to the established order and norms, that is, to a posture of conservatism or traditionality. The traditionalist is a defender of status quowhich understands order as the priority of existence and fights to preserve institutions. Your resistance to change, however, can make you oppose even noble causes or those that are in your best interest. Identified with the high priest of the tarot, examples of this in popular culture are: Sherlock Holmes, Spiderman or Deckard, the protagonist detective of blade runner.
The outlaw. An archetype of insubordination, longing for freedom and rejection of what is established, which plays a role completely opposite to the traditionalist: that of continually opposing what is established. The rebel may be an outlaw, a criminal, a political opponent or simply a free thinker, but he is always in a conflictive situation with the world, always faced with a powerful enemy. Prone to paranoia, fanaticism and emotional isolation, the rebel presents himself as a vigilante, the defender of a lost cause, unfairly treated by society. It is identified with the tarot card of justice and in popular culture it has the following examples: Robin Hood, Bonnie & Clyde, The Punisher, Captain Nemo or Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars.
The creator. An archetype linked to inventiveness, artistic passion, scientific curiosity and problem solving, is identified with the moon tarot card, due to its contact with the unconscious and the world of dreams. The creator is an abstracted and distracted being, focused solely on his creation tasks, who always seeks to find his own answer for everything. This means that he can often forget about the practical and mundane aspects of existence, or get caught up in his own inventions. Examples of this archetype in popular culture are: Daedalus in Greek mythology, Dr. Frankenstein, Tony Stark (Ironman) or Doc in Back to the Future.