archetypal elements
DESCRIPTION
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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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
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?