The archetypes are as if the structural “pillars”, the canons, features, finality/object/function in the construction of the Psyche that influence personality. The archetypes act as conductors of the Psyche, translated into imagery that we can easily relate to, characterised in matter by instincts (programmed actions) according to our understanding of the structure of the physical surroundings in comparison and motivated by our individual or collective experiences.
We could think of the Mind as a circuitry.
The ego receives/obtains energy/information from the Self (transceiver) and projects it through Persona. The reason we know of this Self yet is unknown could be because we don't recognise/understand/register non-forms (the architypes imageries/metaphors the way to make sense of it). If we were to believe that the unconscious it's the Psyche on an inert state of perhaps induced or designed oblivion, then the archetypes are important to identify collective and individual designed patterns, and perhaps the development of future prototypes. If and/or when the archetypes are inspired, its current flow activated and flooding through them at a booming rate, if unbalanced each obscures other areas of the field, disabling other architypes rendering them unable to be influenced/triggered. Speculatively, if all positive/negatives aspects are balanced and both Ego and Self frequencies are coordinated, the architypes employed to their full potential could activate the whole spectrum at once.
The term "archetype" has its origins in ancient Greek. The root words are archein, which means "original or old"; and typos, which means "pattern, model or type". The combined meaning is an "original pattern" of which all other similar persons, objects, or concepts are derived, copied, modelled, or emulated.
Since we are all built from the same organic fabric the archetypes are the intangible energies patterns of the collective design common to all, people are born with these inbuilt systems despite culture and upbringing.
The architypes are a non-physical feature, and are translated into images, according to our life experiences that we can relate to in the physical world., individually or collectively, now or then, in both timely directions.
Although there are many different archetypes, Jung defined twelve primary types that symbolize basic human motivations. Each type has its own set of values, meanings, and personality traits.
Also, the twelve types are divided into three sets of four, namely Ego, Soul, and Self. The types in each set share a common driving source, for example types within the Ego set are driven to fulfil ego-defined agendas.
Most, if not all, people have several archetypes at play in their personality construct, however, one archetype tends to dominate the personality in general. It can be helpful to know which archetypes are at play in oneself and others, especially loved ones, friends, and co-workers, to gain personal insight into behaviours and motivations.
-The self is an archetype that represents the unified unconsciousness and consciousness of an individual. Creating the self occurs through a process known as individuation, in which the various aspects of personality are integrated. Jung often represented the self as a circle, square, or mandala.
- The shadow is an archetype that consists of the sex and life instincts. The shadow exists as part of the unconscious mind and is composed of repressed ideas, weaknesses, desires, instincts, and shortcomings. This archetype is often described as the darker side of the psyche, representing wildness, chaos, and the unknown. These latent dispositions are present in all of us, Jung believed, although people sometimes deny this element of their own psyche and instead project it on to others.
Jung suggested that the shadow can appear in dreams or visions and may take a variety of forms. It might appear as a snake, a monster, a demon, a dragon, or some other dark, wild, or exotic figure.
- The anima is a feminine image in the male psyche, and the animus is a male image in the female psyche. The anima/animus represents the "true self" rather than the image we present to others and serves as the primary source of communication with the collective unconscious. The combined anima and animus is known as the syzygy or the divine couple. The syzygy represents completion, unification, and wholeness.
- The persona is how we present ourselves to the world. The word "persona" is derived from a Latin word that literally means "mask." It is not a literal mask, however. The persona represents all the different social masks that we wear among various groups and situations. It acts to shield the ego from negative images. According to Jung, the persona may appear in dreams and take different forms.
Jung suggested that the number of existing archetypes was not static or fixed. Instead, many different archetypes may overlap or combine at any given time. The following are just a few of the various archetypes that Jung described:
The father: Authority figure, stern, powerful.
The mother: Nurturing, comforting.
The child: Longing for innocence, rebirth, salvation.
The wise old man: Guidance, knowledge, wisdom.
The hero: Champion, defender, rescuer.
The maiden: Innocence, desire, purity.
The trickster: Deceiver, liar, trouble-maker.