Archetypal Elements
Jung believed that the direct experience of nature
was the most powerful influence on the perception
of ancient humans. Thus, the elements found in
the natural world are some of the most important
symbolic images.
TREE
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The embodiment of life
The point of union
between the three realms
(heaven, earth, water)
Ancient people believed
tree = abundant creative
energy
The world axis around
which the world is
organized
Divinity
Creativity
TREE EXAMPLES…
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The trees in The Wizard
of Oz
The trees in The Lord of
the Rings
Others?
FOREST
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A place of darkness, chaos
and uncertainty
Contrast to order and
openness of cultivated
land
Symbol of mystery &
transformation
To those who show no
fear, a place of peace and
refuge
A symbol of the
unconscious
FOREST EXAMPLES…
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In most mythology- a
home to sorcerers and
enchanters
Forests in fairy tales
Others?
GARDEN
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A place of perfection and
peace, but in the center
there is something evil
which will bring about
the fall of the garden
GARDEN EXAMPLES…
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Garden of Eden in
Genesis
The Secret Garden
Others?
FLOWER
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A symbol of paradise
Feminine beauty
Youth, vitality
Impermanence, fragility
FLOWER EXAMPLES…
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The flower in The Beauty
and the Beast
Roses on Valentine’s Day
Others?
FIRE
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A sign of humankind’s
intelligence and
civilization
A source of fear
Purification
Sacrifice
Alchemy
FIRE EXAMPLES…
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The Phoenix
Prometheus
Others?
WATER
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Rebirth and destruction
Purification
Redemption
The passing of time
Boundary between
countries or between life
and death
In Hindu beliefs, rivers
symbolize purification
(the Ganges can wash
away all shortcomings)
WATER EXAMPLES…
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Greek flood story
Genesis flood story
Country musician
Garth Brooks: “The
River”
Others?
EARTH
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Womb/tomb
Typically associated with
matriarchal society
Valley = protective,
feminine symbol;
associated with fertility,
cultivation, and water
Cave = feminine symbol:
heart of world, the
unconscious, entrance to
the underworld,
initiation, protection, or
wisdom.
EARTH EXAMPLES…
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The term “Mother Earth”
Others?
WILDERNESS
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A place in the natural
world where testing or
trial occurs
WILDERNESS EXAMPLES…
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The Call of the Wild
White Fang
Into the Wild
Vision quest in Native
American traditions
Others?
MOUNTAIN
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A “high” place of worship
Meeting place of heaven
and earth
Symbolized masculinity,
eternity, ascent from
animal to spiritual in
nature
Typically associated with
power
Typically associated with
patriarchal societies
MOUNTAIN EXAMPLES…
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Ziggurats
Acropolis
The pyramids
Others?
MOON
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The light of night
Changes shapes
Follows cycles
Connections to romantic
interludes
According to Jung, the
moon was the first object
man worshipped
Typically feminine
symbol (28-day phase)
MOON EXAMPLES…
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“When the moon hits
your eye like a big pizza
pie, that’s amore…”
It’s a Wonderful Life– the
idea of lassoing the moon
Others?
SUN
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The light of day
Worshipped- but not
until thousands of years
after the moon
Causes good and harm
Associated with gods
and high kings
Typically masculine
symbol
SUN EXAMPLES…
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Louis the XIV (the sun
king)
Many cultures have a sun
god- Indian, Mayan,
Egyptian, etc.
Others?