The Archetypes

Jungian archetypes are universal symbols and patterns of behaviour that are present in the collective unconscious, a term coined by the famous Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung. He proposed that archetypes are inherited from our ancestors and are shared by all human beings, regardless of culture or background. They are a sort of blueprint of human experience that influences the way we think, feel, and act The archetypes can be understood as characters in a story, each representing a different aspect of human nature.

For example, 'The Persona' represents the mask we wear in public to fit in and be accepted by others, 'The Shadow' represents the part of ourselves that we keep hidden or repressed, and 'The Self' represents our true, authentic self that integrates all aspects of our personality. Some of the most common archetypes include the 'Mother', 'Father', 'Child', 'Wise Elder', 'Shadow', and 'Anima/Animus'. Each of these archetypes has a unique set of traits and characteristics that are personified in different ways across many cultures & histories.