Every great story needs strong, relatable characters. Writing them, however, is a process filled with trial and error. One way to make it easier is by understanding Jungian archetypes—universal character patterns found in myths, literature, and everyday life.
Who is Carl Jung?
Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who developed the concept of the collective unconscious—a shared set of instincts and symbols that influence human behavior.
He believed that across cultures and time periods, people have always told stories with the same basic character types. These recurring figures became known as Jungian archetypes.
For writers, these archetypes act as templates, helping to shape characters that feel both familiar and unique.
The 12 Jungian Archetypes
Each archetype has its own set of values, traits, and motivations. Below is a breakdown of all twelve.
The Hero
The Hero is usually the central figure of the story, who embarks on a journey to prove their worth. Through challenges and trials, they grow, learning valuable lessons about themselves and the world. They are courageous, determined, and willing to sacrifice for a greater cause.
But they are not without flaws. They often fear weakness and push themselves beyond their limits. Their strong will can turn into arrogance, leading to moments of crisis that test their strength and character.
Examples of the Hero include Superman, Harry Potter, and Aragorn.
The Lover
The Lover is passionate, devoted, and driven by a desire for connection. Their main goal is to love and receive love, whether from a partner, family, or friends.
Their passion is their main strength but also their deadly weakness. Love can lead to heartbreak, or they may lose themselves in its pursuit. Their fear of loneliness often drives them to give love freely, sometimes to the wrong people.
Examples of the Lover include Romeo and Juliet, Jack and Rose, and Bella and Edward.
The Everyman
The Everyman is relatable, humble, and grounded. They represent the ordinary person and highlight the good qualities of being ordinary. This archetype appeals to audiences because they see themselves in these characters.
Often, the Everyman is thrust into extraordinary situations, forcing them to adapt. While their likability makes them easy to root for, they can struggle to stand out in a world of larger-than-life personalities.
Examples of the Everyman include Arthur Dent, Bilbo Baggins, and Pip.
The Innocent
Also called the Child, the Innocent is optimistic, pure, and sincere. They are full of wonder, often believing in the goodness of the world and the people around them. They can be naïve, either due to their age or sheltered upbringing.
Because of that innocence, they are easy to fool or hurt. Their journeys are often about learning harsh lessons. Though they do end up wiser, their damage isn’t to the extent of being jaded.
Examples of the Innocent include Dory, Lyra, and Dorothy.
The Rebel
The Rebel or the Outlaw challenges authority, breaks the rules, and seeks to change the system. They often act out of personal pain or injustice and refuse to conform. While sometimes seen as troublemakers, Rebels bring necessary change to their worlds.
They are willing to take on those more powerful than them. However, they can easily succumb to their anger and beliefs, causing them to hurt others or making mistakes.
Examples of the Rebel include Katniss Everdeen, V, and Lisbeth Salander.
The Explorer
The Explorer is adventurous, curious, and driven by a need for discovery. They reject limitations, seeking new experiences, places, and knowledge.
Their greatest strength lies in their independence and curiosity. However, their restless nature can make them unreliable, always chasing the next adventure. If they become too consumed by exploration, they risk becoming lonely or directionless.
Examples of the Explorer include Indiana Jones, Moana, and Odysseus.
The Creator
The Creator, also known as the Artist, is imaginative, innovative, and driven by a need to bring ideas to life. They are artists, inventors, and visionaries who seek to make something lasting.
While they see things others cannot, they often struggle with self-awareness. They obsess over perfection, often punishing themselves for perceived failures. Single-minded in their goals, they may sacrifice relationships, stability, and their well-being for success.
Examples of the Creator include Tony Stark, Victor Frankenstein, and Jo March.
The Ruler
The Ruler is authoritative, responsible, and seeks control. They are charismatic leaders, comfortable in wielding power and commanding those beneath them.
They use their power to create stability and help others, but they know how easily they can lose it. Fear of losing control makes them hold on even tighter, sometimes leading to their downfall.
Examples of the Ruler include Joffrey Baratheon, Miranda Priestly, and Macbeth.
The Magician
Also known as the Wizard, the Magician is wise and possesses great knowledge or power. Their deep understanding of unseen forces makes them both powerful and mysterious. They often use their abilities to transform the world, whether for good or personal gain.
However, their greatest weakness is arrogance, as they tend to overestimate their abilities. While they offer solutions through their power, these can lead to unintended consequences.
Examples of the Magician include Merlin, Prospero, and Harry Dresden.
The Caregiver
The Caregiver or the Mother is nurturing, protective, and selfless. They devote themselves to helping others, often putting their own needs aside. While many of their traits are attributed to mothers, they do not need to be female.
Their selflessness is both their strength and weakness. Though they’re beloved figures, they are easy to take advantage of. They lack ambition and will often consume themselves for others.
Examples of the Caregiver include Miss Honey, Samwise Gamgee, and Mary Poppins.
The Jester
The Jester or the Trickster is playful, humorous, and thrives on making others laugh. hey bring levity to serious situations and often challenge authority through wit. While they seem carefree, many Jesters use humor to mask deeper struggles or impart wisdom.
While they entertain and uplift others, they rarely allow anyone to see their true struggles. This often leaves them unseen despite always being in the spotlight.
Examples of the Jester include Tyrion Lannister, The Genie, and the Fool.
The Mentor
The Mentor, also known as the Sage, is wise, experienced, and serves as a teacher, healer, or guide. They offer knowledge, encouragement, and sometimes essential tools to help the Hero succeed.
Their greatest strength is their wisdom. However, some Mentors become overly cautious, hesitant to take risks, or too lost in their studies to act when needed. This can leave the Hero unprepared or facing challenges without the support they need.
Examples of the Mentor include Gandalf, Dumbledore, and Yoda.
Why Writers Should Use Jungian Archetypes
Jungian archetypes provide a strong foundation for creating characters. Each archetype has a distinct set of motivations, strengths, and flaws that help define a character’s role. By understanding these patterns, you create characters with clear goals and internal conflicts.
These archetypes naturally evolve. A hero, for example, often starts as the underdog before becoming a confident leader. This progress feels satisfying because it mirrors real-life struggles and triumphs.
Readers instinctively recognize these archetypes, making characters easier to understand and relate to. And despite that familiarity, they still allow for originality and unexpected growth.
Knowing a character’s archetype also helps with plotting and pacing. You make sure that each character serves a purpose, works towards that goal, and interacts meaningfully with others on the way.
Which is your favorite Jungian archetype? Share your thoughts below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Shadow Writing: How to Use the Jungian Shadow to Create Deeper Characters
- Archetypes: Definitions and Examples from Literature
- 8 of the Worst Character Types in Fiction
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
