archetypes
Recurring character templates
Archetypes are original patterns or models from which copies are made—the prototypical example of a type.
In Jungian psychology, archetypes are universal symbols and themes residing in the collective unconscious: the hero, the trickster, the wise old man, the shadow.
Literary and cultural analysis uses the term similarly for recurring character types and narrative patterns: The mentor is one of the oldest archetypes in storytelling.
More loosely, archetype describes any quintessential example: She's the archetype of the struggling artist.
Analytical psychology founder
- collective unconsciousInherited psychological heritage of humanity
- shadowLight blocked by object
- animaInner personality essence
- animusDeep-seated hostility
persona · self · hero · mother · father · wise old man · trickster · child
One admired for courage
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- heraldOfficial news announcer
- shapeshifterBeing altering its form
threshold guardian · shadow · protagonist · antagonist · sidekick · fool · villain · quest
First functional specimen
- exemplarTypical perfect instance
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
- templatePreset pattern for reproduction
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
standard · benchmark · ideal · epitome · quintessence · embodiment · original · pattern
Traditional explanatory tale
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- motifRecurring thematic element
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
metaphor · emblem · sigil · personification · avatar · incarnation · manifestation · essence
Jung
Analytical psychology founder
- collective unconsciousInherited psychological heritage of humanity
- shadowLight blocked by object
- animaInner personality essence
animus · persona · self · hero · mother · father · wise old man · trickster · child · psychoanalysis
hero
One admired for courage
shapeshifter · threshold guardian · shadow · protagonist · antagonist · sidekick · fool · villain · quest · journey
prototype
First functional specimen
- exemplarTypical perfect instance
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
- templatePreset pattern for reproduction
blueprint · standard · benchmark · ideal · epitome · quintessence · embodiment · original · pattern · mold
myth
Traditional explanatory tale
allegory · metaphor · emblem · sigil · personification · avatar · incarnation · manifestation · essence · representation
- literaturebooks, book, fiction, poetry, stories
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- psychologypsychology, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, clinical psychology
- character typesprotagonist, hero, antagonist, villain, heroes
- epicIliad, Odyssey, Beowulf, Aeneid, Gilgamesh
- oral traditionfolk narratives, campfire tales, epics, oral poetry, storytelling circles
archetypesindividuals
Separate, distinct people
particulars · anomalies · exceptions · outliers · one-offs
archetypescopies
Makes identical versions
derivatives · imitations · variations · reproductions · replicas
archetypesinstances
Individual cases or examples
particulars · instantiations · individuals · embodiments · actualizations
- 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
archetype, archetypal, archetypical, archetypic, archetypically