The Ultimate List of Archetypes (Over 325)

Archetypes are everywhere.

They are guiding, inspiring, possessing, ruling, and living through us each day.

Archetypes influence most (if not all) of human behavior.

It’s not a question of whether archetypes are influencing your behavior; it’s a matter of degrees.

To the extent you’re aware of the archetypes operating within you is an indicator of your level of consciousness.

With greater self-awareness, you can learn to navigate the emotional landscape of archetypes skillfully.

Here, we’ll explore a comprehensive list of archetypes so you can get to better know your psyche.

What is an Archetype?

Simply put, an archetype is a set pattern of behavior.

Plato referred to archetypes as Forms, which he saw as pre-existing ideal templates or blueprints.

Archetypes are what Carl Jung called “primordial images” and the “fundamental units of the human mind.”

Every character you see on television and in films represents an archetype.

Virtually every response you give to your environment—the way you behave—is an expression of an archetype too.

Almost all human behavior is guided by archetypes.

Jung wrote in The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche,1C.G. Jung, The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche (Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 8), 1970.

“Archetypes are the living system of reactions and aptitudes that determine the individual’s life in invisible ways.”

A Few Common Examples of Archetypes

For a quick example of archetypes, just look at any epic adventure story, often called the Hero’s Journey.

You have ubiquitous characters like:

  • The hero (protagonist),
  • The villain (antagonist),
  • The wise old man (mentor or sage),
  • The princess (anima)
  • Allies (friends)
  • Magical animal (guide)

All of these characters represent common examples of archetypes. You’ll find the same character archetypes in mythologies and fairytales from around the world.

These archetypal motifs are part of our collective unconscious. That is, they are universal.

How to Create a List of Archetypes

The general belief about archetypes is that there are only a select few.

For example, a list of archetypes might have only 4, 6, or 12. Or, perhaps you’ll have a list of 52 or 80.

The reality is that there are thousands of archetypes. Each one possesses different behavioral patterns and subtleties.

A list of archetypes numbering in the thousands, however, won’t be very practical.

There’s no need to try to memorize any of these archetype lists. As Jung explains:2C.G. Jung, The Collected Works, Vol 9, I, The Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious, 1969, Para 62.

It is no use at all to learn a list of archetypes by heart. Archetypes are complexes of experiences that come upon us like fate, and their effects are felt in our most personal life.

So first, we’ll run through a few archetype lists from popular models. Then, I’ll present a comprehensive list of archetypes for you to review.

Jungian Archetypes List

jungian archetypes list

It seems appropriate to start our journey with the man who popularized the concept of archetypes.

Perhaps more than anyone else, Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung provided us with a map of the human psyche.

Through his analytical psychology, Jung classified many of the driving forces that dominate human behavior. (See my beginner’s guide to Jungian psychology here.)

 

To Jung, archetypes weren’t just characters or subpersonalities; they also included motifs, symbols, and images.

For example, birth, marriage, and death were all considered archetypes in Jung’s work.

I’ve noticed “Jungian archetypes lists” all over the internet. Somehow, many people seem to think that Jung had “12 archetypes.” This is simply not accurate. To my knowledge, Jung never created a list of archetypes.

That said, here are the primary archetype examples Jung addresses throughout Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious:

The SelfThe Mother
The AnimaThe Child
The AnimusThe Wise Old Man
The ShadowThe Hero
The PersonaThe Trickster
The FatherThe Maiden

Jung referenced many other archetypes in his work, but the above archetypes list highlights the primary ones.

Archetypes of the Masculine Psyche

list of archetypes

Another model for understanding archetypes comes from neo-Jungian Robert Moore.

I reference Moore’s model frequently on this website because I have found it to be incredibly practical and accurate.

In King Warrior Magician Lover, Moore and Gillette highlight the four primary archetypes in the masculine psyche as well as the eight bipolar shadow archetypes that go with them.

 

The four healthy masculine archetypes are:

King
Warrior
Magician
Lover

The eight shadow archetypes are:

The TyrantThe Weakling
The SadistThe Masochist
The Detached ManipulatorThe Denying “Innocent” One
The Addicted LoverThe Impotent Lover

 

list of archetypes robert mooreRobert Moore’s Structure of the Psyche

The four healthy archetypes of boyhood are:

The Divine Child
The Hero
The Precocious Child
The Oedipal Child

The eight shadow archetypes of boyhood are:

The High Chair TyrantThe Weakling Prince
The Grandstander BullyThe Coward
The Know-it-all TricksterThe Dummy
The Momma’s BoyThe Dreamer

While Moore’s archetypal research focused on the masculine archetypes, his model extends to the feminine psyche as well where the King is represented by the Queen.3https://robertmoore-phd.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=32

He does suggest, however, that other variations in the feminine psyche probably aren’t addressed in his work.

The 12 Archetypes List

The “12 Archetypes” is a popular model from Carol Pearson’s Awakening the Heroes Within (1991). Her 12 archetypes model—the PMAI instrument—was later popularized in books like The Hero and the Outlaw by Margaret Mark and Carol Pearson.

Most likely, the confusion regarding “12 Jungian archetypes” comes from this source.

To be clear, while Pearson’s work is based on Jung’s insights, these 12 archetypes are not singled out in Jung’s work.

12 archetypes list

The 12 Archetypes in Pearson’s model are:

The InnocentThe Lover
The OrphanThe Creator
The HeroThe Jester
The CaregiverThe Sage
The ExplorerThe Magician
The RebelThe Ruler

Myss’s Archetype Cards

archetype examples myss

Now, we come to Caroline Myss’ Archetype Cards, an illustrated deck of 80 archetypes.

Myss’ archetypes list includes:

AddictLiberator
AdvocateLover
AlchemistMartyr
AngelMediator
ArtistMentor
AthleteMessiah
AvengerMidas/Miser
BeggarMonk
BullyMother
Child: OrphanMystic
Child: WoundedNetworker
Child: MagicalNun
Child: NaturePioneer
Child: Eternal Boy/GirlPoet
Child: DivinePriest
ClownPrince
CompanionProstitute
DamselQueen
DestroyerRebel
DetectiveRescuer
DilettanteSaboteur
Don JuanSamaritan
EngineerScribe
ExorcistSeeker
FatherServant
Femme FataleShape-shifter
GamblerSlave
GodStoryteller
GoddessStudent
GuideTeacher
HealerThief
Wounded HealerTrickster
HedonistVampire
Hero/HeroineVictim
JudgeVirgin
KingVisionary
KnightWarrior

The Archetypes of the Enneagram

enneagram archetypes list

Every personality system represents a collection of archetypes. The most robust personality model, in my opinion, is the Enneagram.

Within the Enneagram community, there are two versions of the model. While they are both similar, they use different names to characterize the archetypes.

One model developed by Don Riso and Russ Hudson outlines the nine personality types (or archetypes) of the Enneagram as follows:

Type 1: Reformer
Type 2: Helper
Type 3: Achiever
Type 4: Individualist
Type 5: Investigator
Type 6: Loyalist
Type 7: Enthusiast
Type 8: Challenger
Type 9: Peacemaker

The other model used by the Enneagram Worldwide and highlighted by Helen Palmer in Enneagram describes the personality archetypes as:

Type 1: The Perfectionist
Type 2: The Giver
Type 3: The Performer
Type 4: The Romantic
Type 5: The Observer
Type 6: The Loyal Skeptic
Type 7: The Epicure
Type 8: The Protector
Type 9: The Mediator

Riso and Hudson’s Enneagram model also includes nine variations or levels of each personality type. If we add each level as an archetype, the Enneagram contains a list of 81 archetypes. Plus, each type has “wings” and “variants,” which easily quadruples the number of potential archetypes.

Tarot Cards

list of archetypes tarot

Jung and the Jungians devote a lot of attention to divination systems like Tarot, the I Ching, and astrology.

For Jung, these systems provide another access point to the unconscious.

All of the 78 Tarot cards and the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching represent archetypes. Jung seemed to have a particular fascination with Tarot, largely because it was considered “taboo.”

For our purposes here, we’ll highlight the Major Arcana tarot cards:

The FoolThe Magician
The High PriestessThe Empress
The EmperorThe Hierophant
The LoversThe Chariot
StrengthThe Hermit
Wheel of FortuneJustice
The Hanged ManDeath
TemperanceThe Devil
The TowerThe Star
The MoonThe Sun
JudgmentThe World

The Zodiac Signs

As mentioned above, all of the common divination systems represent archetypal forms.

Astrology and the twelve signs of the Zodiac represent perhaps the oldest list of archetype examples.

AriesLibra
TaurusScorpio
GeminiSagittarius
CancerCapricorn
LeoAquarius
VirgoPisces

The Greek Gods of Olympus

archetype examples

One of the original archetypes lists is represented by the pantheon of gods and goddesses of Greek Mythology.

The list of Olympians includes:

ZeusHermes
HeraDionysius
PoseidonHades
DemeterHypnos
AresNike
AthenaJanus
ApolloNemesis
ArtemisIris
HephaestusHecate
AphroditeTyche

A Comprehensive List of Archetypes

Finally, we arrive at the ultimate archetypes list.

Now that you have a better sense of different archetype examples from above, let’s take a look at a more complete list of archetypes:

Archetypes A – GArchetypes G – PArchetypes P – Z
AccountantGluttonPriest
AchieverGo-BetweenPriestess
AddictGodPrince
Addicted LoverGoddessPrincess
AdonisGodfatherPrivate Investigator
AdventurerGourmandProfane Prostitute
AdvocateGourmetProgenitor
AlchemistGrandstander BullyProphet
AmateurGuideProstitute
AmbassadorGunslingerProtector
AnalystGuruProtester
AnarchistHealerProvocateur
AnchoriteHedonistPsychopath
AngelHelperQueen
AnimaHeraldRabbi
AnimusHermitRebel
ApprenticeHeroRedeemer
ArbitratorHeroineReformer
ArchitectHigh Chair TyrantRenunciate
ArtisanIce QueenRescuer
ArtistIdiotRevolutionary
AthleteImpotent LoverRight Arm
AttilaIndentured ServantRobin Hood
AttorneyIndigentRomantic
AuthorIndividualistRuler
AvengerInnocent ChildSaboteur
BeggarInnocent OneSacred Prostitute
Black WidowInnovatorSadist
Bon VivantInstructorSage
BossIntellectualSamaritan
BuilderIntuitive HealerSamurai
BullyInventorSavior
BurglarJesterScapegoat
CaregiverJournalistScavenger
CasanovaJudgeSchemer
CelibateKillerScientist
ChallengerKingScribe
ChampionKnightSculptor
ChefLeaderSecretary
ChiefLegislatorSeducer
ChildLiberatorSeductress
ClownLobbyistSeeker
CommunicatorLonerSeer
CompanionLoserSerial Killer
Con ArtistLoverSerpent
ConsortLoyalistServant
ConsumerMad ScientistSettler
CopyistMagical ChildSex Addict
CounselorMagicianShadow
CourierMaidenShaman
Court JesterMartyrShape-shifter
CowardMasochistSherlock Holmes
CraftspersonMasterSidekick
CreatorMatriarchSiren
Crime FighterMediatorSkeptic
CriticMeditatorSlave
CroneMentorSleuth
DamselMercenarySnoop
Dark LordMessengerSociopath
DefenderMessiahSoldier
DerelictMidasSoldier of Fortune
DestroyerMinisterSpell-caster
Detached ManipulatorMinstrelSpiritual Master
DetectiveMiserSpoiler
DevoteeMomma’s BoySpy
Devouring MotherMonkStepmother
DilettanteMonsterStoryteller
DiplomatMotherStudent
DiscipleMother NatureSuccubus
Divine ChildMuseSwindler
Don JuanMysticSybarite
Double AgentNarratorTeacher
DreamerNerdTemptress
DrunkNetworkerThe Self
DummyNinjaTherapist
Earth MotherNomadThief
EmperorNonconformistTomboy
EmpressNoviceTrickster
EnchantressNunTyrant
EngineerNurseTutor
EnthusiastObserverVagabond
EntertainerOedipal ChildVampire
EnvironmentalistOlympianVictim
EpicureOrphanVillain
EscortOrphan ChildVirgin
Eternal ChildOutcastVisionary
EvangelistOutlawWanderer
EverymanPatriarchWarrior
ExaminerPeacemakerWeakling
ExorcistPerfect MotherWeakling Prince
ExplorerPerfectionistWeaver
Fairy GodmotherPerformerWerewolf
FatherPersonaWise Old Man
Femme FatalePhilosopherWise Woman
FlirtPickpocketWitch
FollowerPilgrimWizard
FoolPioneerWorkaholic
FriendPirateWorking Mother
GamblerPoetWounded Child
GigoloPreacherWounded Healer
GiverPrecocious ChildZombie

Where to go from here?

As you can see, our psyche is filled with a pantheon of characters and archetypal energy vying for our attention.

It’s no wonder humans are such complex creatures.

Want to begin making sense of it all?

Start with these guides:

How to Use Archetypes to Build Consciousness

A Beginner’s Guide to Jung’s Individuation Process

  • This was so helpful. Great comprehensive list on this subject. Would you look at the astrological signs and planets as well?

  • Quote’ ” Archetypes are what Carl Jung called “primordial images” and the “fundamental units of the human mind.”

    “Primordial images” Is a beautiful word, I may going be heavy here, saying anything that pops up in my mind, but after half a bottle of wine my inhibitions fade a bit. Losing my fears in a little room in front of the pc, not as if I walked out of the unit to face reality. My defenses and rigidly would raise and fears increase. After all I’m fingering a keyboard to someone half round the world with probaly a few uninterested readers of my post. What could go wrong.

    Primordial images, I think may be inflicted upon humans, by how, what and whom I don’t know. Only it is an essential component for us to feel of “our own existence”. To give us something to work on to evolve. This brings me to think physicality is a minor point, so the unseen of what we don’t know is major to who we are. Thank-you.

    • I hope you havn’t found this post offensive. This gave me a chance to notice the unconciuos coming out. After reflecting, I’m seeing spontaneanty, free, calmness, undesirable and offensive.

      I’m considering this to be an indication of character/personality, hidden behind the persona. I am also under the impression this is my anima. Why I think that is from the description used with the keyboard.

      You or your readers would not find my statements as provocative as I do while writing it. Could you make some clarity for me. Thank-you.

      • I don’t know what specifically you’re looking for clarity. It sounds like you were just processing your thoughts, but for some reason, doing so in the public comment section of this page.

  • I have had half a bottle of wine, and when I do this I feel insightful. I do know the dangers of falling into alcoholism, but I feel secure in that I only do this once a week. I would like to know if there is a supplement or vitamin that will act the same way as alcohol does, preferable without the negative side-effects and forgetfulness.

    In my defense, which brings me to a point that I have never previously considered it relevant in day to day living. But it does seem to be a common component of most people.

    I’m babbling on with no concern to the people I’m talking to. I’m trying to find the point of why I’m writing this, but just keep laughing. Hope you don’t think I’m a troublemaker, but if you do; know that I probably deserve it.

    Anyway, I enjoyed my laughter (if that was the point…). Could you tell me to stut-up and tell me to stop writing while I’m drunk? Thank-you.

    • Brett,

      I’ve noticed that you’ve posted dozens of comments are various guides. Please be respectful of my time and that of the other readers.

      If you have a genuine question related to a specific guide, be brief and concise with your question/comment.

      Instead of posting comment like the one above, use a journal. It will be less narcissistic and potentially more beneficial for you.

  • What about archetypes in opposing pairs, in relation to “ancient enemies?” For lack of an ancient reference, please think of the Coyote and the Roadrunner. For a real-life reference, think of the conflict in the Middle East – the tribes of the Israelites vs the tribes of Palestinians. They have been at each other for at least 5000 years, over a piece of sand. Think of the Russians and the Ukrainians – a little better, arable land, but still, there’s a whole world for each to inhabit. I wish I knew where to go with this thought, but it keeps coming back to me. One of the references I read said that both parties are opposite sides of the same coin. I would like to find a source that seeks and finds rapprochement between the sides. It seems that without one, the other could not exist (How could a coin have one side as a physical object). Does that mean that conflict is an eternal state in the human experience?

    • Archetypes do have opposites like (Appollo and Dionysus) as well as bipolar shadow opposites as neo-Jungian Robert Moore’s work illustrates. (See, for example, the Magician archetype: https://scottjeffrey.com/magician-archetype/)

      However, having extensively studied the two conflicts you presented above, this is NOT the issue of opposing archetypal forces as you described. What you’ve described is the propaganda many of us have been indoctrinated with. That is, these conflicts are socially engineered. (Breaking down why this is the case would take too long here.) The cause of these so-called conflicts is singular: the detached manipulator working behind the scenes.

      “It seems that without one, the other could not exist (How could a coin have one side as a physical object). Does that mean that conflict is an eternal state in the human experience?”

      No. It means that conflict and tension are an eternal state of *archetypes* — NOT the human experience. The entire point of individuation is to strip away these archetypal forces and the tensions that arise from them. Only then, can individuals transcend conflict. Building consciousness is the pathway beyond conflict. Without this process, one remains possessed by archetypal forces. (“Easy to be an archetype; difficult to be a human.”)

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