Jungian archetypes

Jungian archetypes are universal symbolic patterns that Carl Jung proposed exist in the collective unconscious—a shared psychological inheritance across humanity.

These include figures like the Shadow (repressed aspects of self), the Anima/Animus (contrasexual elements), the Hero, the Wise Old Man, and the Mother.

In popular use, archetype often loosens to mean any recurring character type or narrative pattern: The mentor is a classic archetype in storytelling.

Jung's framework influences psychology, literary criticism, and personality typologies.