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ยป Home ยป Facing The Darkness

What is Your Shadow Archetype? (Free Quiz!)

by Aletheia Luna ยท Updated: Jul 18, 2024 ยท 132 Comments

Ai generated image of a wolf in a cloak holding a candle symbolic of a shadow archetype
Shadow archetype examples list image lonerwolf

Uncontrolled bursts of anger, sexual addiction, strange phobias, unexpected deep depressions, unshakeable self-loathing, and self-destructive tendencies are all signs of the shadow archetype โ€“ and we all have one.

The shadow archetype, also known as the shadow self or dark side of humanity, can be seen throughout myth and legend since the dawn of humanity.

If youโ€™d like to discover your shadow archetype, some examples, and how it influences your life, youโ€™ll find that and more right here!


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Want to take the test immediately? Click here to skip straight to the shadow archetype test.

Table of contents

  • What is the Shadow Jungian Archetype?
  • How Does Your Shadow Form (and Signs Itโ€™s Active)?
  • Why Should You Face Your Shadows?
  • Shadow Archetype Examples
  • What is Your Shadow Archetype? (Free Test!)

What is the Shadow Jungian Archetype?

Image of a person wearing a scary mask at night symbolic of the shadow self archetype

How can anyone see straight when he does not even see himself and the darkness he unconsciously carries with him into all his dealings?

โ€“ C. G. Jung, The Essential Jung

We can thank Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung for his idea of psychological archetypes, which are patterns that appear repeatedly within human consciousness.ย 

Among the many archetypes within our species is one that Jung named the Shadow, which is the dark, suppressed, and hidden side of our nature.ย 

How Does Your Shadow Form (and Signs Itโ€™s Active)?

Image of a shadow figure alone in a barren landscape

For one reason or another, we all have abandoned parts within ourselves that we reject either consciously or unconsciously.

These rejected parts are often deemed โ€œugly,โ€ โ€œbad,โ€ โ€œunworthy,โ€ โ€œoutrageous,โ€ โ€œunlovable,โ€ or even โ€œdangerous,” and so theyโ€™re cast out from our conscious-facing personalities (also called our โ€œpersonaโ€).

But these outlawed fragments of ourselves donโ€™t just disappear into thin air. Instead, they get buried, locked away, and, in some cases, actively blocked off within our deep unconscious minds.ย ย 

The longer these shadow parts are cut off from the light of consciousness, the more they fester and build up like a seething volcano waiting to explode.ย 


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Incidents of intense rage, emotional meltdowns, mental health crises, addictions, dark nights of the soul, and many other issues are signs that the shadow is trying to get our attention.

Why Should You Face Your Shadows?

Image of a woman looking into a mirror holding a candle at night symbolic of practicing shadow work

To be liberated from the self-destructive force of our shadows, we must turn toward them.ย 

We must integrate the shadow archetype into our lives by befriending it and finding the hidden gifts that it carries. In the words of Jung,

Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individualโ€™s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.

(Psychology and Religion)ย 

Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle writes about the shadow archetype, referring to it as the โ€œpain-body.โ€ He writes:

The pain-body, which is the dark shadow cast by the ego, is actually afraid of the light of your consciousness. It is afraid of being found out. Its survival depends on your unconscious identification with it, as well as on your unconscious fear of facing the pain that lives in you. But if you donโ€™t face it, if you donโ€™t bring the light of your consciousness into the pain, you will be forced to relive it again and again.

(The Power of Now)

Shadow Archetype Examples

Image of creepy faces symbolic of the different shadow archetypes

Hereโ€™s a list of shadow archetype examples.

Keep in mind that most of us possess more than one shadow archetype, and they can change during the course of our lives.

Also, note that none of these shadow archetypes is totally black or white โ€“ remember that each type has a hidden gift or strength:

  • Addict
  • Glutton
  • Workaholic
  • Beggar
  • Bully
  • Coward
  • Wounded/Orphan Child
  • Destroyer
  • Seducer/Black Widow/Don Juan
  • Gambler
  • Gossip
  • Perfectionist
  • Critic
  • Miser
  • Anarchist
  • Saboteur
  • Trickster
  • Slave
  • Sorcerer/Sorceressย 
  • Thief/Con Artist
  • Tyrant
  • Vampire
  • Victim

A few shadow archetype examples in pop-culture and fiction include Green Goblin (Spider-Man), Alex (A Clockwork Orange), Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes), Gollum (The Lord of the Rings), Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter), Norman Bates (Psycho), Darth Vader (Star Wars), The Joker (Batman), Regina George (Mean Girls), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Agent Smith (The Matrix), Duck Phillips (Mad Men), Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal), Montgomery Burns (The Simpsons), Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones), Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest).

You can find more ways to work with your shadow archetype in my Mindful Shadow Work book!

What is Your Shadow Archetype? (Free Test!)

Image of a multi-colored sugar skull symbolic of a shadow archetype

There are seven main shadow archetypes in this test, which correspond to the seven chakras. The result you get can help you find some focus and clarity on your healing journey.

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We'll email this article to you, so you can come back to it later!

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What is your shadow archetype? Share below in the comments!

**NOTE: If you’re taking this test on your phone, be aware that the results are within an embedded iframe, so if you struggle to scroll down, try scrolling right at the very edge of your screen to keep going down. Also, a few people have reported that their results aren’t appearing. If you don’t seem to receive any results, please try taking this test in a different browser (examples are Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome), and if that doesn’t work, try using a different device or opening in incognito mode. Enjoy!

What result did you get? Please share below in the comments. I’d love to know!

If you’re interested in other shadow-related resources, here are a few: Shadow Self Test, 35 Shadow Work Prompts (For Each Chakra), and 21 Signs Youโ€™re Experiencing โ€œSoul Lossโ€.

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2. Shadow & Light Membership: Do you crave consistent support on your spiritual quest? Receive weekly intuitive guidance and learn to embrace your whole self, including your shadow side. Cultivate deeper self-love with our affordable, personalized support.

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About Aletheia Luna

Aletheia Luna is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, educator, and intuitive guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. [Read More]

(132) Comments

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  1. Pamela says

    January 23, 2024 at 12:39 am

    Wounded Child…accurate

    Reply
  2. Rosie says

    January 23, 2024 at 12:33 am

    So, I got The Victim. Ugh. Have to dig into that further. Definitely need some inner work. In the meantime, gonna start journaling today. Great article. Thank you Aletheia!

    Reply
    • Betsy says

      January 23, 2024 at 2:59 am

      Hi Rosie – I got the victim also, and โ€œUghโ€ was my reaction also. I immediately went into defensive mode when I got my result, which is bc of my perception of being
      victim = weakness.

      Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:31 pm

      Yeah, having an ‘ugh’ reaction is totally normal. ๐Ÿ˜ We are looking at your main shadow archetype, after all. Thank you both for being open to it, however. That’s crucial โค๏ธ

      Reply
  3. Tara says

    January 23, 2024 at 12:26 am

    The Nihilist – crown chakra imbalances seems accurate! Iโ€™ve been feeling disconnected from Source lately.

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:31 pm

      Thanks Tara, I think you’ll find you’re certainly not alone in that ๐Ÿ’›

      Reply
  4. Joey says

    January 23, 2024 at 12:20 am

    This test was accurate and Confirming of the old self, it revealed that which I have been releasing. My weakness is truly my strength ๐Ÿ”ฅ
    Most grateful ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
    JMS

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:31 pm

      Thanks Joey ๐Ÿ’œ

      Reply
  5. Lala says

    January 23, 2024 at 12:17 am

    This was a great article. I enjoyed it. I got the wounded child which is pretty accurate. I too am fighting to get my ptsd issues recognised and stuff, because the chance at living a ‘normal’ life has gone for now. I will try to heal the wounded kid, not sure how though it’s been very tough… I just been running away from it my whole life to be frank

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Lala, thanks for sharing this comment. Have you ever really gone into parts work, also known as IFS (internal family systems)? I highly recommend it โค๏ธ There’s a great book called Self-Therapy by Jay Earley, which can help you to self-guide yourself through the process if you don’t have access to (or don’t want access to) a practitioner. The Self-Love and Inner Child Journals can be really nourishing too ๐Ÿฆ‹ Wishing you much healing.

      Reply
      • Lala says

        January 30, 2024 at 5:34 am

        Thank you I appreciate your recommendation. sadly mental health professionals do not believe my story so its tough, but I will keep this information in mind to tell them IFS may be a good alternative. It would definitely help manage everything better

        Reply
  6. Simone Sanfilipo says

    January 22, 2024 at 11:51 pm

    I only get a big white space. twice now. bummer.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      January 23, 2024 at 12:30 am

      Better than what I got. Lol๏ปฟ๐Ÿ™„๏ปฟ

      Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:35 pm

      Try a different browser, Simone.

      Reply
  7. Janeth says

    January 22, 2024 at 11:47 pm

    I am a Wounded Child. I was kind of expecting “slave” because I’ve had to wait on everyone throughout my life. But I’m seeing where that fits into being a wounded child as I was severely abused mentally, verbally and physically as a child into adulthood by both (evil demon parents) and both siblings who are a waste of skin. My husband treats me as if I were his personal chef and housekeeper, there is no physicality in this marriage. I’m pretty messed up. But I’m so glad I took this test, now I realize I have some work to do on improving my state of mind and physical wellbeing. But then there is the guilt of doing that. Wow, Aletheia, I’m grateful for your teachings. Much love XOXO.

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:36 pm

      The wounded child and the slave archetypes are definitely closely related, as well as the victim shadow archetype. I’m so glad you’ve found more clarity and direction through this test, Janeth! Much love โค๏ธ

      Reply
  8. Susan says

    January 22, 2024 at 11:37 pm

    Wow, my test results were spot on! I’ve struggled with “wounded child” issues my entire life and thought I’d put them to bed for good. I’m a bit horrified that they were so easily uncovered. I may have to take them to my grave since I’m now 80 years old! I’m grateful for the insight though. Thanks for your generosity in sharing this free tool!

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:37 pm

      Now is better than never to work with your wounded inner child. Even just saying a simple “Hello dear inner child, I feel you and acknowledge you” whenever you feel anxiety or sadness can be a wonderfully healing and validating practice. Thanks for your vulnerability, Susan โค๏ธ

      Reply
  9. Lois says

    January 22, 2024 at 11:33 pm

    I’ve taken the test twice and don’t get a result!

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:38 pm

      Please try a different browser, Lois. <3

      Reply
  10. Flavia Kumari Day says

    January 22, 2024 at 11:11 pm

    I got the trickster, which actually is pretty true, my issue has always been the throat chakra. Thank you

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      January 24, 2024 at 3:38 pm

      Thanks for sharing this and for your honesty, Flavia!

      Reply
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