ArchetypesArchetypes

Images from the Images from the Subconscious Past?Subconscious Past?

Comparative MythComparative Myth

When the Egyptians and Sumerians began When the Egyptians and Sumerians began recording their myths, the elements of the recording their myths, the elements of the tales were already ancient, but they are the tales were already ancient, but they are the oldest bases for the study of comparative oldest bases for the study of comparative myth. myth.

Tales such as the death and resurrection of Tales such as the death and resurrection of Osiris and Inanna set standards for a Osiris and Inanna set standards for a plethora of other deities who died and plethora of other deities who died and resurrected. The Sumerian/Babylonian resurrected. The Sumerian/Babylonian Epic Epic of Gilgamesh of Gilgamesh is the benchmark for all later is the benchmark for all later heroic tales.heroic tales.

ArchetypesArchetypes

The acts, deeds, personalities, and The acts, deeds, personalities, and circumstances of deities and mythic circumstances of deities and mythic situations echo through the ages; situations echo through the ages; they are found in many, many they are found in many, many diverse cultures/religions. diverse cultures/religions.

These commonalities are most These commonalities are most commonly called “archetypes,” and commonly called “archetypes,” and though their origins are disputed, it is though their origins are disputed, it is evident that they exist.evident that they exist.

Karl JungKarl Jung

The existence of The existence of archetypes was archetypes was formally theorized formally theorized by Karl Jung, a by Karl Jung, a onetime disciple of onetime disciple of Sigmund Freud who Sigmund Freud who broke away from broke away from the Father of the Father of Modern Psychology Modern Psychology to form his own to form his own school of thought. school of thought.

The TheoryThe Theory To wit: Jung postulated that the subconscious is a To wit: Jung postulated that the subconscious is a

storehouse for certain ancient images and tales. He storehouse for certain ancient images and tales. He called them by several names but “archetypes” called them by several names but “archetypes” stuck. Astuck. Archetypes are long-lived, repetitive parallel symbols and myths from diverse cultures and locations; they are absolute and transcendent, autochthonously emerging from a collective human unconscious (Jung, Jung on Myth 62).

Archetypes are copies of the original experience or Archetypes are copies of the original experience or symbol. symbol. Jung says we are born with them; they are “deposits of the constantly repeated experiences of humanity” over a long period of time (Jung, “On the Psych.” 69). The older the archetype, the more likely The older the archetype, the more likely it is to be found in many different areas.it is to be found in many different areas.

Archetypes are not static; they evolve over time, Archetypes are not static; they evolve over time, often in response to cultural changes or needs. often in response to cultural changes or needs. Santa Claus is a modern archetype—there are few Santa Claus is a modern archetype—there are few people in the Western world who would not people in the Western world who would not recognize his description. That image, however, is recognize his description. That image, however, is based on even older images such as the Holly King based on even older images such as the Holly King in Celtic myth. The image of a witch with a pointed in Celtic myth. The image of a witch with a pointed hat, long nose and chin, warts, broom, and hat, long nose and chin, warts, broom, and cauldron is also a more recent archetype.cauldron is also a more recent archetype.

We should be careful to distinguish between We should be careful to distinguish between archetypes and stereotypes, though it is possible archetypes and stereotypes, though it is possible that a stereotype can evolve into a modern that a stereotype can evolve into a modern archetype. archetype.

““Computer Geek” does not qualify as an archetype!Computer Geek” does not qualify as an archetype!

Visual SymbolsVisual Symbols

Visual symbols provide obvious Visual symbols provide obvious existence of archetypes. There are existence of archetypes. There are almost identical, recognizable almost identical, recognizable images found in many parts of the images found in many parts of the world that seemingly came into world that seemingly came into existence independent of each other.existence independent of each other.

SwastikasSwastikas

Most people identify the swastika Most people identify the swastika with Nazi Germany, but its history with Nazi Germany, but its history long precedes the advent of Hitler long precedes the advent of Hitler and the Third Reich.and the Third Reich.

ChinaChina

In China, the swastika was painted on silk In China, the swastika was painted on silk found in tombs from the Han Dynasty circa found in tombs from the Han Dynasty circa 300 BCE. They are called “long-tailed 300 BCE. They are called “long-tailed pheasant stars,” aka “comets” (Goldman)pheasant stars,” aka “comets” (Goldman)

They are also They are also found on other found on other Chinese Chinese iconography such iconography such as this WuShih as this WuShih coin.coin.

IndiaIndia

Swastikas are also Swastikas are also found in ancient found in ancient India where they India where they were icons of were icons of protection and protection and good luck.good luck.

East Indian SwastikasEast Indian Swastikas

IsraelIsrael

Hitler would have Hitler would have been surprised to been surprised to know that this is a know that this is a “maoz haim” “maoz haim” swastika found on swastika found on the floor of an the floor of an ancient synagogue.ancient synagogue.

Pre-Columbian AmericaPre-Columbian America

Swastikas were Swastikas were found etched on found etched on cave walls in North cave walls in North America and America and woven into fabrics woven into fabrics such as this such as this Central American Central American rug.rug.

GreeceGreece

The Greeks utilized the image as evidenced The Greeks utilized the image as evidenced by this 8by this 8thth. century Grecian bowl.. century Grecian bowl.

CanadaCanada

These hockey players from Edmonton These hockey players from Edmonton (circa 1916) certainly intended no evil (circa 1916) certainly intended no evil by the icons on their sweaters.by the icons on their sweaters.

Mandalas or the Eye of GodMandalas or the Eye of God

BuddhismBuddhism

Mandalas are most often associated Mandalas are most often associated with Eastern religions. Buddhist monks with Eastern religions. Buddhist monks take days to make the intricate designs take days to make the intricate designs with colored sand and then destroy the with colored sand and then destroy the finished product to demonstrate the finished product to demonstrate the impermanence of material items. impermanence of material items. Mandalas are used as meditation tools Mandalas are used as meditation tools and have been referred to as maps of and have been referred to as maps of the cosmos. The earliest mandala the cosmos. The earliest mandala could have been a representation of the could have been a representation of the eye.eye.

South America, MexicoSouth America, Mexico

Mexican children Mexican children make these from make these from yarn and sticks (so yarn and sticks (so do American do American children), but the children), but the “Eye of God” is “Eye of God” is ancient and was ancient and was found in South found in South America, as well.America, as well.

From Egypt to the U.S.From Egypt to the U.S.

The “All Seeing The “All Seeing Eye” is related to Eye” is related to Masonry and has a Masonry and has a long history. The long history. The American American forefathers forefathers adopted the icon adopted the icon for the one dollar for the one dollar bill.bill.

Outer SpaceOuter Space

Astronomers Astronomers dubbed this as the dubbed this as the newest “Eye of newest “Eye of God,” bringing the God,” bringing the concept to a full concept to a full circle as the circle as the mandala being a mandala being a map of the cosmos. map of the cosmos. (This is more than a (This is more than a bit tongue-in-bit tongue-in-cheek!)cheek!)

Pentacle or PentagramPentacle or Pentagram

Pentacles and Pentacles and pentagrams, like pentagrams, like swastikas, received swastikas, received a bad reputation a bad reputation when they became when they became associated with associated with Satanism, but they Satanism, but they have been around have been around for millennia.for millennia.

Nature’s “Stars”Nature’s “Stars”

The earliest The earliest pentagrams pentagrams (without the circle) (without the circle) were most likely were most likely modeled after five-modeled after five-petaled flowers.petaled flowers.

ApplesApples

An apple cut An apple cut widthwise instead of widthwise instead of lengthwise also lengthwise also makes a makes a pentagram.pentagram.

Apples were Apples were associated with associated with goddesses; the goddesses; the pentagram was pentagram was called “The Star of called “The Star of Isis.”Isis.”

Leonardo Da VinciLeonardo Da Vinci

Da Vinci’s famous Da Vinci’s famous sketch of a man sketch of a man with outstretched with outstretched arms and legs arms and legs makes a pentacle. makes a pentacle.

In early In early Christianity, the Christianity, the pentagram pentagram represented Adam.represented Adam.

The satanic The satanic pentacle is, by pentacle is, by comparison, a new comparison, a new use of an ancient use of an ancient symbol. symbol.

Archetypal MythsArchetypal Myths

In addition to visual symbols, there In addition to visual symbols, there exists a plethora of myths from exists a plethora of myths from diverse cultures which have similar diverse cultures which have similar themes.themes.

The myth of the Dying and The myth of the Dying and Resurrected Deity and his/her Resurrected Deity and his/her descent into the underworld is one of descent into the underworld is one of the most widespread.the most widespread.

Resurrected Deities and their Resurrected Deities and their Descents: OsirisDescents: Osiris

Along with Inanna of Sumeria, Osiris of Along with Inanna of Sumeria, Osiris of Egypt is the oldest recorded dying god. Egypt is the oldest recorded dying god. Killed by his evil brother, Set, he is Killed by his evil brother, Set, he is resurrected by his wife, Isis, and the resurrected by his wife, Isis, and the jackal headed god, Anubis.jackal headed god, Anubis.

Though he is brought back to life, Osiris Though he is brought back to life, Osiris cannot stay in the land of the living, cannot stay in the land of the living, thus descends into the netherworld, thus descends into the netherworld, Tuat, to become God of the Dead.Tuat, to become God of the Dead.

Osiris is also one Osiris is also one of the original of the original “Green Men” “Green Men” whom we will whom we will examine in examine in

another lesson.another lesson.

InannaInanna

The goddess Inanna of Sumeria is The goddess Inanna of Sumeria is another early dying/resurrected another early dying/resurrected deity, but she descends to Kur deity, but she descends to Kur (Sumerian underworld) and then (Sumerian underworld) and then dies.dies.

She is revived by trickery on the part She is revived by trickery on the part of her uncle, Enki, and is allowed to of her uncle, Enki, and is allowed to live in the heavens again if she picks live in the heavens again if she picks someone to take her place in Kur.someone to take her place in Kur.

InannaInannaInanna’s pose is one Inanna’s pose is one often assumed by often assumed by ancient goddesses: ancient goddesses: it means “I can feed it means “I can feed the world”—a the world”—a demonstration of demonstration of fertility. fertility.

DumuziDumuzi

Inanna chooses her husband, Inanna chooses her husband, Dumuzi, to take her place because Dumuzi, to take her place because he didn’t mourn her death properly.he didn’t mourn her death properly.

His sister, Geshtinanna, mourns him His sister, Geshtinanna, mourns him so much that Inanna relents and so much that Inanna relents and allows the sister to trade places with allows the sister to trade places with Dumuzi for six months of the year. Dumuzi for six months of the year.

PersephonePersephone

The Greek Persephone does not die, The Greek Persephone does not die, but in the most well known version, but in the most well known version, is abducted by her uncle, Hades.is abducted by her uncle, Hades.

Her mother, Demeter, mourns and Her mother, Demeter, mourns and causes the first winter. Zeus is causes the first winter. Zeus is forced to allow Persephone to return forced to allow Persephone to return to the upper earth, but since she has to the upper earth, but since she has eaten some pomegranate seeds, she eaten some pomegranate seeds, she must spend three months of the year must spend three months of the year in Hades.in Hades.

Attis, AdonisAttis, Adonis

Attis (Anatolian, modern day Turkey) Attis (Anatolian, modern day Turkey) and Adonis (Greek) are gods who die and Adonis (Greek) are gods who die for various reasons—all gory—and for various reasons—all gory—and are resurrected at the behest of their are resurrected at the behest of their lovers. Like Dumuzi and Persephone, lovers. Like Dumuzi and Persephone, however, they spend part of the year however, they spend part of the year in the underworld.in the underworld.

Balder/BaldurBalder/Baldur

In Norse myth, Balder is slain and goes to In Norse myth, Balder is slain and goes to Niflheim, ruled by the goddess Hel. He is Niflheim, ruled by the goddess Hel. He is denied resurrection when Loki, disguised denied resurrection when Loki, disguised as an old woman, refused to weep for him as an old woman, refused to weep for him along with the rest of humanity.along with the rest of humanity.

However, it is often recounted that Baldur However, it is often recounted that Baldur will rise again after Ragnarok to rule the will rise again after Ragnarok to rule the new Asgard—this version of the myth new Asgard—this version of the myth could have been influenced by Christian could have been influenced by Christian scribes who recorded Norse mythscribes who recorded Norse myth..

The Divine/Hero TwinsThe Divine/Hero Twins

The twin or brother theme is widespread The twin or brother theme is widespread in many myth from Sumeria to Greece to in many myth from Sumeria to Greece to Pre-Columbian America.Pre-Columbian America.

In Mayan myth, the Divine Twins, travel In Mayan myth, the Divine Twins, travel to Xibalba (land of the dead) to bring to Xibalba (land of the dead) to bring back their father; they beat the gods of back their father; they beat the gods of death in several games and are death in several games and are eventually killed, but like other gods, eventually killed, but like other gods, they resurrect (Sharer 729).they resurrect (Sharer 729).

JesusJesus

Jesus is the most well known Dying and Jesus is the most well known Dying and Resurrected god in modern times, but his Resurrected god in modern times, but his death and resurrection has archetypal death and resurrection has archetypal links to deities who precede him.links to deities who precede him.

Like Inanna, he is dead for three days Like Inanna, he is dead for three days and according to the Apocrypha, he and according to the Apocrypha, he spends those days in hell. He breaks the spends those days in hell. He breaks the mold, however, in several other ways.mold, however, in several other ways.

Why? How?Why? How?

The existence of archetypes is The existence of archetypes is evident from the many similar evident from the many similar images and tales from diverse images and tales from diverse cultures—the question remains as to cultures—the question remains as to the reason for their existence.the reason for their existence.

Jung’s TheoryJung’s Theory Jung says we are born with archetypes. The oldest are rooted Jung says we are born with archetypes. The oldest are rooted

in the subconscious of all humans—though some may be in the subconscious of all humans—though some may be culturally linked and not shared by common humanity. culturally linked and not shared by common humanity.

Archetypes are events or symbols that humans experience or Archetypes are events or symbols that humans experience or see over and over again for a long period of time and thus, see over and over again for a long period of time and thus, became ingrained in our psyches.became ingrained in our psyches.

Jung also postulated the theory of the “collective Jung also postulated the theory of the “collective subconscious” wherein archetypes repose--subconscious subconscious” wherein archetypes repose--subconscious shared by all humans. A “subcategory” is “race or ethnic shared by all humans. A “subcategory” is “race or ethnic memory,” subconscious memories from our cultural and racial memory,” subconscious memories from our cultural and racial backgrounds.backgrounds.

These memories are triggered by certain stimuli such as These memories are triggered by certain stimuli such as images or music.images or music.

Another theory that Jung set forth is the idea of a “Universal Another theory that Jung set forth is the idea of a “Universal Mind.” Something beyond humanity that holds all of the Mind.” Something beyond humanity that holds all of the knowledge in the universe which humanity is a part of or can knowledge in the universe which humanity is a part of or can tap into (tap into (Jung, Jung on Myth)..

Dispersion/Diffusion TheoryDispersion/Diffusion Theory One other prominent theory for the existence of archetypes is One other prominent theory for the existence of archetypes is

the Dispersion Theory.the Dispersion Theory. This theory states that millennia ago, there was a central This theory states that millennia ago, there was a central

society with a set of beliefs. The people spread out, migrating society with a set of beliefs. The people spread out, migrating to new places.to new places.

As they spread out, they took their beliefs with them. The As they spread out, they took their beliefs with them. The ideas about deities and their myths changed over time to suit ideas about deities and their myths changed over time to suit the need of the changing cultures.the need of the changing cultures.

For example, the chaotic abyss in Egyptian and other myth For example, the chaotic abyss in Egyptian and other myth turns into an icy chasm in Norse myth—an adaptation for the turns into an icy chasm in Norse myth—an adaptation for the frozen north.frozen north.

The problem with the dispersion/diffusion theory is that the The problem with the dispersion/diffusion theory is that the existence of a central ancient religious center cannot be existence of a central ancient religious center cannot be proven. By the time archetypal myth was recorded in Egypt proven. By the time archetypal myth was recorded in Egypt and Sumeria, the myths were already ancient (Lewis-Williams and Sumeria, the myths were already ancient (Lewis-Williams and Pearce 41)and Pearce 41)

Worldwide SpectaclesWorldwide Spectacles One other theory that explains some archetypes is an event One other theory that explains some archetypes is an event

that was witnessed in many places.that was witnessed in many places. The Chinese swastika is called “the long pheasant tailed The Chinese swastika is called “the long pheasant tailed

star,” which is a comet. A comet resembling a swastika star,” which is a comet. A comet resembling a swastika would have been seen by many ancient peoples in many would have been seen by many ancient peoples in many parts of the world (Goldman).parts of the world (Goldman).

Other images such as the pentagram and the spiral echo Other images such as the pentagram and the spiral echo designs found in nature—but why did so many cultures find designs found in nature—but why did so many cultures find these motifs notable enough to record in their iconography? these motifs notable enough to record in their iconography? Were they pleasing to the eye? Were they pleasing to the eye?

Physiological ExplanationPhysiological Explanation One of the more recent theories for the existence of One of the more recent theories for the existence of

archetypes is that they are physiological in nature—a result of archetypes is that they are physiological in nature—a result of the “functioning of the universal human nervous system” and the “functioning of the universal human nervous system” and not a universal mind (Lewis-Williams and Pearce). not a universal mind (Lewis-Williams and Pearce).

David Lewis-Williams and David Pearce substantiate this claim David Lewis-Williams and David Pearce substantiate this claim by examining hypnopompic (that is a $1 word and means by examining hypnopompic (that is a $1 word and means “experiences encountered on awakening from sleep”) and “experiences encountered on awakening from sleep”) and comparing these experiences with drug induced altered states comparing these experiences with drug induced altered states of consciousness. Both states are comparable and of consciousness. Both states are comparable and commonalities include: commonalities include:

Seeing bright geometric figuresSeeing bright geometric figures Floating or flyingFloating or flying Passage through a tunnel[.] (45)Passage through a tunnel[.] (45) These elements suggest a physical basis for some archetypal These elements suggest a physical basis for some archetypal

images, but the theory does not adequately explain archetypal images, but the theory does not adequately explain archetypal myth—repeated tales in diverse cultures.myth—repeated tales in diverse cultures.

And . . .And . . .

However archetypes came to be, However archetypes came to be, they are evident in mythos from they are evident in mythos from many cultures.many cultures.

In this class, a main focus will be on In this class, a main focus will be on those similar myths: the resurrected those similar myths: the resurrected deity, the descent into the deity, the descent into the underworld, and creation/afterlife underworld, and creation/afterlife myths. We will also examine the myths. We will also examine the commonalities between the deities.commonalities between the deities.

Works CitedWorks Cited Goldman, Noah. “Comets in Ancient Cultures.” Goldman, Noah. “Comets in Ancient Cultures.” Deep Impact. .

University of Maryland. n.d. Web. 12 June 2013 University of Maryland. n.d. Web. 12 June 2013 <http://deepimpact.umd.edu/science/comets-cultures.html>.<http://deepimpact.umd.edu/science/comets-cultures.html>.

Lewis-Williams, David and David Pearce. Lewis-Williams, David and David Pearce. Inside the Neolithic Mind: Inside the Neolithic Mind: Consciousness, Cosmos, and the Realm of the GodsConsciousness, Cosmos, and the Realm of the Gods. NY: Thames . NY: Thames and Hudson, 2005. Print.and Hudson, 2005. Print.

Sharer, Robert James. Sharer, Robert James. The Ancient MayaThe Ancient Maya. Stanford; Stanford UP, . Stanford; Stanford UP, 2006. Print. 2006. Print.