The 12 Archetypes

This series is one of the many graphic explorations that emerge as a by-product of Cavelight Studio’s various research interests. The artists create minimalist images using only 3 visual elements in a universal vocabulary of simple shapes and lines and attempt to effectively translate the concepts of their study into archetypes.

 

Archetypes are universal psychological patterns that are reflected in our lives and narratives. We find them throughout the history of humanity in the myths and legends of every civilization. They are used across various disciplines and in popular psychology to give people insights into human behaviour and help us to better understand ourselves and people around us. While these are not direct diagnostic tools, they are useful starting points for identifying our own patterns and triggers and to create meaningful dialogue and inspire further inquiry.

 

These 12 archetypes were postulated by Carl Jung. He proposed that they are the psychic counterpart of instinct i.e. a kind of innate nonspecific knowledge, derived from the sum total of human history, which prefigures and directs conscious behaviour.