archetype
Universal recurring symbol
An archetype is an original model or prototype from which copies are made, or a perfect example of a type: She's the archetype of the self-made entrepreneur.
In Jungian psychology, archetypes are universal symbols or patterns residing in the collective unconscious—the hero, the trickster, the wise old man.
Literary criticism uses the term for recurring character types, plot patterns, or symbols across cultures and eras: the archetype of the quest narrative.
Preset pattern for reproduction
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
schema · structure · format · design · outline · standard · reference · specification
Not awake or aware
- collectiveJointly organized group
- animaInner personality essence
- animusDeep-seated hostility
- shadowLight blocked by object
persona · self · individuation · psychoanalysis · transformation · integration · wholeness · mandala
Something that comes first
- forerunnerOne that comes before
- progenitorAncestor or originator
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- antecedentSomething that precedes
source · origin · genesis · primordial · first · primary · foundational · seminal
Story's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- foilDefeat a plan
- stock characterConventional recurring persona
- tropeRecurring narrative device
motif · narrative · allegory · fable · parable · mythos · epic · saga
Representational sign or device
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- motifRecurring thematic element
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
- sigilMagical or heraldic symbol
representation · image · figure · sign · token · allegory · personification · avatar
One admired for courage
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- threshold guardianOne who bars entry
- shapeshifterBeing altering its form
herald · shadow · mother · father · crone · sage · fool · lover
Standard of perfection
- formShape or document
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- universalAffecting all equally
- conceptAbstract mental construct
abstraction · idea · truth · eternal · perfect · transcendent · metaphysical · immutable
template
Preset pattern for reproduction
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- frameworkUnderlying support system
paradigm · schema · structure · format · design · outline · standard · reference · specification · matrix
unconscious
Not awake or aware
- collectiveJointly organized group
- animaInner personality essence
- animusDeep-seated hostility
shadow · persona · self · individuation · psychoanalysis · transformation · integration · wholeness · mandala · numinous
precursor
Something that comes first
- forerunnerOne that comes before
- progenitorAncestor or originator
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
antecedent · source · origin · genesis · primordial · first · primary · foundational · seminal · root
protagonist
Story's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- foilDefeat a plan
- stock characterConventional recurring persona
trope · motif · narrative · allegory · fable · parable · mythos · epic · saga · quest
emblem
Representational sign or device
sigil · representation · image · figure · sign · token · allegory · personification · avatar · manifestation
hero
One admired for courage
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- threshold guardianOne who bars entry
shapeshifter · herald · shadow · mother · father · crone · sage · fool · lover · warrior
ideal
Standard of perfection
concept · abstraction · idea · truth · eternal · perfect · transcendent · metaphysical · immutable · absolute
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- classificationsclassified, hierarchical, class, unclassified, categorical
- literary elementsplot, character, setting, theme, narrator
- modelssupermodel, fashion model, cover model, runway model, mathematical model
- personalitypersonality, trait, temperament, traits, character
- psychologypsychology, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, clinical psychology
archetypecopy
Identical reproduction made
derivative · imitation · replica · reproduction · spin-off
archetypeanomaly
Departure from the expected
aberration · outlier · deviation · exception · oddity
archetypedescendant
Person from earlier generations
descendent · offspring · progeny · daughter · son
- storytelling archetypeRecurring pattern in tales
- archetypal heroUniversal narrative champion pattern
- character archetypesRecurring personality patterns in narratives
- female archetypesRecurring symbolic feminine patterns
- romantic archetypeRecurring beloved character pattern
- heroic archetypeUniversal brave character pattern
archetypal, archetypes, archetypical, archetypic, archetypically