Archetypal Analysis
Archetypal Analysis is a literary theory
that is used to analyze works of literature.
The basis for this analysis is that a text’s
meaning is shaped by its images.
Therefore, in archetypal analysis, we look
for symbols to make meaning of a text.
COLORS
BLACK
Lack of color—primordial void—emptiness—
sorrow—mourning—death—witchcraft--evil—
unknown—the underworld
WHITE
Absence of color—presence of all the light—
innocence—purification--heavenly
RED
is an emotionally charged color. It is associated with the
sun and all gods of war, anger, bloodlust, vengeance. It
can also mean love, passion, and health.
BLUE
is the color most often associated with issues of the spirit
and intellect. Blue may be truth and transparency, it is
to loyalty, fidelity, constancy, and charity.
GREEN
is a dualistic color. It can represent envy, evil, and
trickery and/or growth, renewal, hope, wealth, and life.
PURPLE
is used to represent royalty, imperial power, justice, and
sometimes truth.
YELLOW
stands for light, intellect, faith, and/ or goodness. Yellow
can also be cowardice, betrayal, and/or jealousy.
COMMON ARCHETYPAL FIGURES
IN THE HERO JOURNEY:
HERO
he represents the ego’s search for identity and
wholeness. The hero must sacrifice for the betterment of
society. The hero must transcend the boundaries of the
ego and incorporate all aspects of society.
MENTOR
usually a positive figure who aids or trains a hero. The
mentor may teach, give gifts, or act as the higher moral
conscience of the hero.
THRESHOLD
represents obstacles that the hero must overcome as
they cross into new worlds. They are menacing, but can
be bypassed or overcome by the worthy hero.
GUARDIANS
HERALD
A force that brings a challenge to the hero. A herald will
issue a challenge and announce the coming of
significant change, which can shift the hero’s balance
and force him to make a life changing decision.
SHAPE
an elusive archetype, often of the opposite sex, who
constantly changes from the hero’s point of view.
They may mislead the hero and their loyalty and
sincerity is constantly in question.
SHIFTER
SHADOW
represents the energy of the dark side; the unexpressed,
unrealized, or rejected aspects of something. Shadows
are the things humans so not want to admit about
themselves. The Shadow is often projected onto
villains, antagonists, or enemies.
TRICKSTER
embodies the energy of the mischief and the desire for
change. Clowns and comic sidekicks often represent
this archetype.
GREAT MOTHER
TERRIBLE MOTHER
CRONE
associated with birth, warmth, protection, fertility,
growth, abundance; the unconscious
the witch, the sorceress, siren---associated with fear,
danger, death. Often presented as an inauthentic
mother (like a step-mother or mother-in-law).
An older wise-woman figure. Can embody
universal/ancient wisdom or can take on some of the
Mother; can be presented as a hag/witch.
SOUL MATE /
the princess or “beautiful” lady---incarnation of
MAIDEN
inspiration and spiritual fulfillment.
qualities of the Terrible
Jungian Archetypes
THE ELEMENTS
AIR
power of nature, inspiration, conception, soul,
spirit
FIRE
warms, consumes, and illuminates, but can also
bring pain and death. often the symbol of
passion, love destructiveness, purification, and
heat. It is the predominant symbol of HELL.
WATER
represents life. can also be associated with
birth, rebirth, fertility, refreshment and
redemption. Lakes and rivers are feminine
symbols, representing the transitions
of life, death, and resurrection.
EARTH
seen as feminine, the great mother
nourishment, fertility, longevity. It can also be
the ground, stability, a foundation for life.
THE HEAVENLY
BODIES
SUN
and
MOON
The sun is the absolute cosmic power; it is the
universal FATHER, while the moon is the
universal MOTHER; Is the center of being and
intuition; it is knowledge and warmth, glory and
splendor. It is creative energy, law in nature,
consciousness. The rising sun is birth, creation
enlightenment. The setting sun is death.
The moon is a feminine symbol, universally
representing the rhythm of time as it embodies
the cycle. The phases of the moon symbolize
immortality and eternity; mystery imagination,
female, and mother. It represents change and
sometimes instability/inconstancy
DAWN
suggests the notions of illumination and hope,
the beginning of a new day and a chance for
happiness and
of
improvement. It is the symbol of birth, rebirth,
awakening.
NIGHT
typically associated with obscurity and
mystery. It is the symbol of ignorance,
the unconscious, sleep, dreams, and
death. Darkness is largely associated
with death and destruction, captivity and
spiritual darkness.
SKY
freedom
FOG uncertainty
ANIMALS
BIRDS
have positive connotations. They represent the
human desire to escape gravity, to reach the level of
the angel. The bird is often the disembodied human
soul, free from its physical constrictions. A wild bird
represents freedom, while a caged bird is associated
with unjust imprisonment or violation of nature.
WOLF
The wolf figures as the symbol of the enemy, of the
menacing animal. It is evil, the devouring, fierce
creature which haunts and stalks. Wolves are crafty,
and signify untamed energies.
LION, TIGER
courage; royalty; predatoriness; in general, cats
represent fears and those things humans do not want
to see and cannot see; the cat has come to be
associated with magic and mystery.
Animals (cont’d)
HORSE
masculinity
FISH
divine creation and life;
Christ symbol
REPTILES
deceit, horror, the devil
RAT, MOUSE
secretiveness