Jungian archetypes are psychological constructs popularized by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung in the early twentieth century Jung believed that these archetypes are fundamental components of the collective unconscious that is shared by all individuals, regardless of race, culture, or era. These unconscious patterns manifest in all aspects of life, including literature, art, and psychology.
Jung identified twelve core archetypes that he believed all people possess, including the Hero, the Caregiver, the Explorer, the Sage, the Magician, the Innocent, the Ruler, the Creator, the Destroyer, the Jester, the Lover, and the Outlaw. Collectively, these archetypes represent the broad range of human experience, from the heights of heroism and power to the depths of fear, guilt, and suffering.
The following five examples are some of the most prominent Jungian archetypes:
1) The Hero: The Hero archetype is a symbol of courage, determination, and the willingness to confront danger in order to save and protect others. Examples of heroes in fiction include Superman, Luke Skywalker, and Sagara Sōsuke from Rurouni Kenshin.
2) The Caregiver: The Caregiver archetype represents compassion and altruism. Fictional examples include Mrs. Weasley from Harry Potter, the fairy godmother from Cinderella, and Kancolle's Yamato.
3) The Explorer: The Explorer archetype is a bold, risk-taking character who is always looking for new horizons. Examples of Explorers include Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, and Journeyman Jack from The Dark Tower series.
4) The Sage: The Sage archetype is a wise, worldly mentor who has great insight and can offer guidance to others. Examples of Sages include Dumbledore from Harry Potter, Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars, and Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid.
5) The Magician: The Magician archetype is a conduit for powerful forces and can use his or her magical powers for good or for evil. Examples of Magician archetypes include Doctor Strange from Marvel Comics and Kaiba from Yu-Gi-Oh!.