Archetype is a universal, deep-seated image or behavioral model that exists in the collective unconscious of humanity. This concept was introduced by the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, who believed that archetypes are innate structures of the psyche, common to all people, regardless of their culture, era, or individual experiences.
Jung described archetypes as “primordial images”, which appear in myths, fairy tales, religions, art, and even dreams. They represent fundamental patterns that influence how we perceive the world, how we interact with others, and how we understand ourselves.
The connection between archetypes and Jung’s theory lies in the fact that they are part of the collective unconscious—a layer of the psyche that lies deeper than the personal unconscious and contains the experiences accumulated by all of humanity over thousands of years.
Jung identified several key archetypes, such as the Hero, the Sage, the Shadow, the Anima, and the Animus, which, in his view, play an important role in personality formation and development. These archetypes are not rigid categories but rather dynamic forces that can manifest in different forms depending on context and individual characteristics.
After Jung, different psychologists, mythologists, and cultural researchers expanded on his ideas:
- Joseph Campbell (The Hero with a Thousand Faces) described the hero’s archetypal journey, which became the foundation for many stories.
- Claude Lévi-Strauss and other structuralists analyzed recurring images in myths.
However, a clear structure of archetypes emerged only in the late 20th century through the work of marketing specialists and brand researchers.
The 12 Archetypes by Margaret Mark and Carol Pearson
The 12-archetype system was formulated in 2001 by Margaret Mark and Carol Pearson in their book The Hero and the Outlaw: Building Extraordinary Brands Through the Power of Archetypes. They adapted Jungian archetypes for marketing and branding, but this system also proved useful for psychological testing.
The 12 Archetypes in This Model:
- The Innocent – A trusting optimist, seeking happiness and security.
- The Explorer – Seeks freedom, adventure, and new horizons.
- The Sage – Strives for truth, knowledge, and analysis.
- The Hero – Overcomes difficulties, fights for a higher goal.
- The Rebel – Breaks outdated rules, seeks revolution.
- The Magician – A transformer of reality, creator of miracles.
- The Everyman – Strives to be part of society, values simplicity.
- The Jester – Lives for pleasure, entertains others, breaks stereotypes through humor.
- The Caregiver – Nurturing, protects and supports others.
- The Creator – Strives for self-expression, creates new things.
- The Ruler – Desires control, power, and order.
- The Lover – Seeks beauty, harmony, and love.
This system is actively used in psychological tests, particularly in self-development, career guidance, and branding.
Knowing your archetype is important because it helps you better understand your motives, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. Archetypes function like internal “programs” that influence our behavior, choices, and relationships.
For example, realizing that your archetype is the Hero, you may understand why you are inspired by challenges and achievements. If your archetype is the Sage, then your desire for knowledge and analysis is not just a habit but a deep part of your personality.
Understanding your archetype also helps to recognize which aspects of your psyche are in the “shadow”—those that you do not accept or notice in yourself but that still influence your life.
Additionally, knowing archetypes helps us better understand others. For example, if you know that your friend or colleague has the Rebel archetype, you will better understand their desire for freedom and independence, even if it sometimes seems excessive to you. This helps build more harmonious relationships and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Ultimately, archetypes are not just abstract concepts but powerful tools for self-awareness and personal growth. They help us realize who we truly are, what drives us, and how we can use this knowledge to live a more conscious, harmonious, and meaningful life.
Tips for Taking the Archetype Test
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that the test is designed to reveal your deep-seated motivations and personality traits, so the key advice is to answer intuitively, without overthinking. Your initial reaction to a question is often the most sincere and reflects your true inclinations. If you spend too much time analyzing each answer, there’s a risk that you’ll start conforming to expectations or social norms, which could distort the results.
Another important tip is to be honest with yourself. The test is not an exam where you need to give “correct” answers. There are no right or wrong options here—only those that best describe you. If you try to choose answers that seem more “acceptable” or “desirable,” you risk getting a result that doesn’t align with your true personality. Remember, the goal of the test is to help you better understand yourself, not to create an ideal image.
It’s best to take the test in a calm environment where nothing distracts you. Choose a time when you can focus on the questions and not rush through the answers. This is especially important because some questions may require you to delve into your thoughts and feelings. If you take the test in a hurry or under stress, it may affect your responses.
Another useful tip is not to try to guess the “right” archetype. Sometimes, when taking such tests, people start tailoring their answers to get a result that seems more attractive or interesting to them. For example, someone might want to be a “Hero” or a “Sage” because these archetypes seem stronger or more respected. However, this approach defeats the purpose of the test. Your archetype is not who you want to be, but who you truly are. Accept yourself as you are, and let the test reveal your true nature.
If you’re unsure about an answer, listen to your feelings. Often, our body and emotions know more than our mind. For instance, if you feel slight resistance or discomfort when choosing a particular option, it might be a sign that it doesn’t quite suit you. On the other hand, if an answer brings you a sense of relief or joy, it’s likely closer to your true essence.
Finally, don’t be afraid of mixed results. If the test shows that you have traits of several archetypes, that’s completely normal. Human personality is rarely one-dimensional, and many of us combine characteristics of different archetypes. This makes you unique and multifaceted. In such cases, it’s worth exploring how these archetypes interact in your life and how you can leverage their strengths.
How to Know Your Archetype? Free Test
Imagine that your personality is a fascinating book full of mysteries, surprises, and unexpected twists. Archetypes are like key chapters of this book that reveal who you truly are: what drives you, what inspires you, what you fear, and what you strive for.
By taking this test, you will not only discover your archetype but also gain a tool for self-exploration that will help you better understand your strengths, uncover hidden talents, and even find new paths for personal growth. Are you ready for an exciting journey through the labyrinths of your soul? Then take a deep breath, trust your intuition, and begin!
In each of the 12-question blocks, choose one answer that corresponds to a specific archetype.
Question 1: What kind of pizza do you usually order?
- Margherita (simplicity and classic) → Innocent
- Pepperoni with extra cheese (extreme and intense) → Hero
- Vegetarian with artichokes and arugula (sophistication and health) → Lover
- Pineapple and ham (an unconventional choice that sparks debates) → Rebel
- Your own recipe that you created (creativity and uniqueness) → Creator
- Four cheese (wealth and sophistication) → Ruler
- Hawaiian with pineapple and chicken (exotic and experimental) → Explorer
- Seafood pizza (refined taste and luxury) → Magician
- Mushroom and olive pizza (harmony and balance) → Caregiver
- Sausage and pepper pizza (simple and hearty) → Everyman
- Pizza with unusual ingredients (e.g., bananas and curry) → Jester
- Truffle and parmesan pizza (elitism and sophistication) → Sage
Question 2: How do you usually react to stress?
- Take action and solve the problem → Hero
- Analyze the situation and look for a rational solution → Sage
- Travel or change surroundings → Explorer
- Rebel against circumstances → Rebel
- Seek support from loved ones → Lover
- Express stress through creativity → Creator
- Try to stay calm and optimistic → Innocent
- Help others to distract myself → Caregiver
- Make jokes and try to laugh about the situation → Jester
- Organize everything around to regain control → Ruler
- Meditate or seek a spiritual solution → Magician
- Share problems with friends to cope together → Everyman
Question 3: What is your hobby?
- Sports or extreme activities → Hero
- Studying new sciences or languages → Sage
- Traveling or hiking → Explorer
- Participating in activist movements → Rebel
- Dancing or cooking → Lover
- Drawing, music, or writing → Creator
- Gardening or crafting → Innocent
- Volunteering or helping animals → Caregiver
- Stand-up comedy or making memes → Jester
- Organizing events or planning → Ruler
- Yoga, astrology, or spiritual practices → Magician
- Meeting friends or playing board games → Everyman
Question 4: How do you perceive money?
- Money is a resource for achieving goals → Hero
- Money is an opportunity to learn and grow → Sage
- Money is freedom to travel and explore → Explorer
- Money is a tool for fighting the system → Rebel
- Money is a way to create beauty and comfort → Lover
- Money is an opportunity to create and bring ideas to life → Creator
- Money is a means to live simply and happily → Innocent
- Money is a way to help others → Caregiver
- Money is a way to have fun → Jester
- Money is power and stability → Ruler
- Money is energy that should be used wisely → Magician
- Money is a way to be part of society → Everyman
Question 5: What type of movie would you choose for an evening watch?
- Action movie with heroic deeds → Hero
- Documentary about science and discoveries → Sage
- Adventure movie with travels → Explorer
- Movie about revolution and freedom fighting → Rebel
- Romantic comedy → Lover
- Film about artists or inventors → Creator
- Heartwarming family movie → Innocent
- Movie about helping others and self-sacrifice → Caregiver
- Comedy or parody → Jester
- Historical movie about great leaders → Ruler
- Fantasy with magic and technology → Magician
- Movie about ordinary people and their lives → Everyman
Question 6: How do you spend your weekends?
- Doing sports or participating in competitions → Hero
- Reading books or learning something new → Sage
- Traveling or exploring new places → Explorer
- Joining protests or doing something unusual → Rebel
- Spending time with a loved one → Lover
- Engaging in creativity or DIY projects → Creator
- Relaxing at home in a cozy atmosphere → Innocent
- Helping friends or volunteering → Caregiver
- Having fun with friends or pulling pranks → Jester
- Organizing events or planning things → Ruler
- Experimenting with something new (e.g., meditation or cooking) → Magician
- Meeting with friends or family → Everyman
Question 7: How do you handle criticism?
- Take it as a challenge and try to improve → Hero
- Analyze it and look for areas to improve → Sage
- Ignore it if it hinders my freedom → Explorer
- Argue and prove my point → Rebel
- Feel upset but try to maintain harmony → Lover
- Use it as inspiration for new ideas → Creator
- Try not to take it personally → Innocent
- Think about how to help others so they won’t criticize me → Caregiver
- Laugh it off and turn it into a joke → Jester
- Organize processes to avoid criticism in the future → Ruler
- Look for a hidden meaning in the criticism → Magician
- Listen if it’s the opinion of the majority → Everyman
Question 8: What is your clothing style?
- Sporty and practical → Hero
- Classic and elegant → Sage
- Unusual and eclectic → Explorer
- Rebellious and edgy → Rebel
- Romantic and stylish → Lover
- Unique and creative → Creator
- Cozy and simple → Innocent
- Modest and comfortable → Caregiver
- Bright and funny → Jester
- Expensive and status-oriented → Ruler
- Mystical and enigmatic → Magician
- Casual, like everyone else → Everyman
Question 9: How do you make decisions?
- Quickly and decisively → Hero
- After thorough analysis → Sage
- Intuitively, following my heart → Explorer
- Break the rules if necessary → Rebel
- Consider others’ feelings → Lover
- Seek unconventional solutions → Creator
- Choose the simplest and safest option → Innocent
- Think about how it affects others → Caregiver
- With humor and ease → Jester
- Organize a structured decision-making process → Ruler
- Trust my inner voice → Magician
- Ask friends for advice → Everyman
Question 10: How do you feel about risk?
- Risk is an opportunity to prove myself → Hero.
- Risk should be justified and calculated → Sage.
- Risk is part of the adventure → Seeker.
- Risk is a way to break the mold → Rebel.
- I only take risks for love → Lover.
- Risk is a source of inspiration → Creator.
- I try to avoid risk → Innocent.
- I take risks if it helps others → Caregiver.
- Risk is fun! → Jester.
- Risk should be under control → Ruler.
- Risk is a path to transformation → Magician.
- I take risks if everyone else does → Everyman.
Question 11: Which life motto resonates with you the most?
- “Never give up!” → Hero.
- “Knowledge is power.” → Sage.
- “Life is a journey.” → Seeker.
- “Rules are made to be broken.” → Rebel.
- “Love is everything.” → Lover.
- “To create is to live.” → Creator.
- “Just be happy.” → Innocent.
- “Helping others helps yourself.” → Caregiver.
- “Laugh, and the world will laugh with you.” → Jester.
- “Order is the foundation of success.” → Ruler.
- “Anything is possible if you believe.” → Magician.
- “We are all one big family.” → Everyman.
Question 12: How do you relate to nature and the environment?
- I try to minimize my environmental footprint (recycling, saving resources) → Caregiver.
- I see nature as a source of inspiration and beauty → Lover.
- I study ecosystems and try to understand how everything works → Sage.
- I take part in environmental protests and activism → Rebel.
- I organize events for cleaning up or greening the environment → Ruler.
- I use nature as a place for adventure and exploration → Seeker.
- I see nature as a resource for achieving goals → Hero.
- I create projects that help preserve nature → Creator.
- I enjoy nature but don’t think much about conservation → Innocent.
- I joke about ecology to draw attention to the problem → Jester.
- I see nature as an expression of spiritual power and harmony → Magician.
- I try to live in harmony with nature, like our ancestors did → Everyman.
Scoring and Test Results
After completing the test, count how many times each archetype was chosen. The archetype that appears most frequently becomes your primary one. If two or more archetypes have the same number of points, this indicates a mixed archetype.
1. Your Archetype – The Hero!
You are a person of action, striving for achievements and victories. You are not afraid of challenges and are always ready to face adversity. Your strength and determination inspire those around you. You see life as an opportunity to prove yourself and showcase your worth.
- Motto: “Never give up!”
- Strengths: Courage, determination, leadership.
- Advice: Don’t forget to rest and appreciate small victories.
2. Your Archetype – The Sage!
You are a seeker of truth and knowledge. Understanding how the world works is essential to you, and you constantly strive for self-development. Your analytical mind and curiosity help you find solutions even in the most complex situations. People turn to you for advice because your wisdom knows no bounds.
- Motto: “Knowledge is power!”
- Strengths: Analytical mind, curiosity, wisdom.
- Advice: Share your knowledge with others.
3. Your Archetype – The Explorer!
You are a free spirit, always seeking adventure and new experiences. You are not afraid to follow your own path and explore the unknown. Your independence and curiosity make you unique. You are always searching for yourself and your place in the world.
- Motto:“Life is a journey!”
- Strengths: Independence, curiosity, adaptability.
- Advice: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
4. Your Archetype – The Rebel!
You are a revolutionary who is not afraid to challenge the system. You break the old to create the new and are always ready to defy societal norms. Your boldness and creativity inspire others to embrace change. You believe that rules are made to be broken.
- Motto: “Freedom above all!”
- Strengths: Boldness, creativity, independence.
- Advice: Channel your energy into creation, not just destruction.
5. Your Archetype – The Lover!
You are a romantic who values harmony, beauty, and the enjoyment of life. You seek deep connections and closeness in relationships, and your sensitivity and empathy make you a wonderful partner and friend. You find joy in the little things and inspire others with your love for life.
- Motto: “Love is everything!”
- Strengths: Sensitivity, empathy, ability to enjoy life.
- Advice: Don’t forget about your own needs.
6. Your Archetype – The Creator!
You are an innovator who turns ideas into reality. Your imagination and creativity know no bounds. You love experimenting and bringing new things into the world—whether in art, technology, or everyday life. Your originality inspires others.
- Motto: “To create is to live!”
- Strengths: Creativity, imagination, innovation.
- Advice: Don’t be afraid to experiment.
7. Your Archetype – The Innocent!
You are an optimist who values simplicity and happiness. You find joy in small things and see the good even in difficult situations. Your kindness and sincerity attract people, and your ability to remain calm inspires those around you. You remind everyone that life can be simple and joyful.
- Motto: “Just be happy!”
- Strengths: Optimism, kindness, ability to enjoy life’s little moments.
- Advice: Stay true to yourself and open to the world.
8. Your Archetype – The Caregiver!
You are someone who is always ready to help and support others. Your empathy and generosity make you an irreplaceable friend and mentor. You strive to make the world a better place through your care for others, and your selflessness inspires those around you.
- Motto: “By helping others, you help yourself!”
- Strengths: Empathy, generosity, selflessness.
- Advice: Don’t forget to take care of yourself too.
9. Your Archetype – The Jester!
You are the life of the party, bringing joy and laughter wherever you go. You see life as a game and can find humor even in tough situations. Your wit and lightheartedness make you beloved by those around you. You remind everyone not to take life too seriously.
- Motto: “Laugh, and the world will laugh with you!”
- Strengths: Sense of humor, playfulness, ability to laugh at yourself.
- Advice: Use humor to inspire and uplift others.
10. Your Archetype – The Ruler!
You are a leader who creates order and stability. You know how to take responsibility and organize processes to make everything run like clockwork. Your confidence and charisma inspire others to follow you. You believe that order is the foundation of success.
- Motto: “Order is everything!”
- Strengths: Leadership, responsibility, organization.
- Advice: Learn to delegate tasks.
11. Your Archetype – The Magician!
You are a mystic who transforms reality through knowledge and belief. Your intuition and spirituality help you uncover hidden meanings and inspire others to change. You believe that anything is possible if energy is used correctly.
- Motto: “Everything is possible if you believe!”
- Strengths: Intuition, spirituality, ability to inspire.
- Advice: Trust your intuition.
12. Your Archetype – The Everyman!
You are the heart of any group, striving for equality and belonging. You value friendship and are always ready to support those around you. Your humility and friendliness make you an essential part of any team. You believe that we are all one big family.
- Motto: “We are all in this together!”
- Strengths: Friendliness, humility, teamwork.
- Advice: Don’t be afraid to stand out when needed.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have just completed an exciting journey into yourself, uncovering one of the most important aspects of your personality—your archetype. This result is not just a label or a category but a key to understanding what drives you and makes you unique.
Remember, an archetype is not a static trait but a dynamic force that can evolve and develop along with you. You may find that some aspects of your archetype are already actively manifesting in your life, while others are waiting for the right moment to emerge.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore new dimensions of your inner world. If your result is mixed, it highlights your multifaceted nature—you embody traits from different archetypes, making you even more unique.
Share your results with friends or loved ones! This might spark an engaging conversation about how different we all are, yet how similar we are in our deepest motivations and aspirations. After all, understanding yourself is the first step toward understanding others!
