archetypal elements

Archetypal Elements

Jung believed that the direct experience of nature was the most powerful influence on the perception of ancient humans. Thus, the elements found in the natural world are some of the most important symbolic images.

TREE The embodiment of life The point of union

between the three realms (heaven, earth, water)

Ancient people believed tree = abundant creative energy

The world axis around which the world is organized

Divinity Creativity

TREE EXAMPLES…

The trees in The Wizard of Oz

The trees in The Lord of the Rings

Others?

FOREST A place of darkness,

chaos and uncertainty Contrast to order and

openness of cultivated land

Symbol of mystery & transformation

To those who show no fear, a place of peace and refuge

A symbol of the unconscious

FOREST EXAMPLES…

In most mythology- a home to sorcerers and enchanters

Forests in fairy tales Others?

GARDEN

A place of perfection and peace, but in the center there is something evil which will bring about the fall of the garden

GARDEN EXAMPLES…

Garden of Eden in Genesis

The Secret Garden Others?

FLOWER

A symbol of paradise Feminine beauty Youth, vitality Impermanence,

fragility

FLOWER EXAMPLES…

The flower in The Beauty and the Beast

Roses on Valentine’s Day

Others?

FIRE

A sign of humankind’s intelligence and civilization

A source of fear Purification Sacrifice Alchemy

FIRE EXAMPLES…

The Phoenix Prometheus Others?

WATER Rebirth and destruction Purification Redemption The passing of time Boundary between

countries or between life and death

In Hindu beliefs, rivers symbolize purification (the Ganges can wash away all shortcomings)

WATER EXAMPLES…

Greek flood story Genesis flood

story Country musician

Garth Brooks: “The River”

Others?

EARTH Womb/tomb Typically associated

with matriarchal society Valley = protective,

feminine symbol; associated with fertility, cultivation, and water

Cave = feminine symbol: heart of world, the unconscious, entrance to the underworld, initiation, protection, or wisdom.

EARTH EXAMPLES…

The term “Mother Earth”

Others?

WILDERNESS

A place in the natural world where testing or trial occurs

WILDERNESS EXAMPLES…

The Call of the Wild White Fang Into the Wild Vision quest in

Native American traditions

Others?

MOUNTAIN A “high” place of

worship Meeting place of heaven

and earth Symbolized masculinity,

eternity, ascent from animal to spiritual in nature

Typically associated with power

Typically associated with patriarchal societies

MOUNTAIN EXAMPLES…

Ziggurats Acropolis The pyramids Others?

MOON

The light of night Changes shapes Follows cycles Connections to

romantic interludes According to Jung, the

moon was the first object man worshipped

Typically feminine symbol (28-day phase)

MOON EXAMPLES…

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore…”

It’s a Wonderful Life– the idea of lassoing the moon

Others?

SUN

The light of day Worshipped- but not

until thousands of years after the moon

Causes good and harm

Associated with gods and high kings

Typically masculine symbol

SUN EXAMPLES…

Louis the XIV (the sun king)

Many cultures have a sun god- Indian, Mayan, Egyptian, etc.

Others?