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 – 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 you’d like to discover your shadow archetype, some examples, and how it influences your life, you’ll find that and more right here!
Soul Work Compass Course:
Drifting through life without direction is exhausting. If you feel paralyzed by confusion or self-doubt, this course is your map out of the fog. We guide you safely through your inner darkness to uncover your true needs, values, beliefs, wounds, and sacred gift. Turn your confusion into crystal-clear direction and find your True North today.
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 can anyone see straight when he does not even see himself and the darkness he unconsciously carries with him into all his dealings?
– 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.
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.
How Does Your Shadow Form (and Signs It’s Active)?
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 “ugly,” “bad,” “unworthy,” “outrageous,” “unlovable,” or even “dangerous,” and so they’re cast out from our conscious-facing personalities (also called our “persona”).
But these outlawed fragments of ourselves don’t just disappear into thin air. Instead, they get buried, locked away, and, in some cases, actively blocked off within our deep unconscious minds.
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.
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?
To be liberated from the self-destructive force of our shadows, we must turn toward them.
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 individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.
(Psychology and Religion)
Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle writes about the shadow archetype, referring to it as the “pain-body.” 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 don’t face it, if you don’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
Here’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 – 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/Sorceress
- 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!)
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.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this article to you, so you can come back to it later!
Your information will never be shared.
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 You’re Experiencing “Soul Loss”.
Whenever you feel the call, there are 2 ways I can help you:
1. The Soul Work Compass Course: Ready for deep transformation without the fluff? The Soul Work Compass provides a step-by-step path to finding your inner truth and life direction. Heal core wounds, clarify your values, and walk away with a concrete guide for living. Get started now!
2. The Inner Work Journal Bundle: Stop surface-level healing. Dive into the depths with 150+ journaling prompts designed to help you face your demons, heal childhood wounds, and embrace your shadow. Three sacred journals, lifetime access, print as many times as you need. Real transformation starts here.
I got the idealist ruled by illusion. I agree cause I’m an INFJ.. and don’t know if exist but Andromedan starseed.
So…went thru this & found it difficult to choose from characters offered & colors to choose from along with what devil to choose. Wound up with wounded child…how about angry child? I can’t do the light fluffy stuff…”everything’s going to be ok”, imagine a white light emanating…happy,happy,happy….really? Every chakra I have is blocked, can’t stand myself, anger at myself & the world but then you say don’t do this without self love….uh huh. Just tremendous struggle to help myself & forget about help from medical system,that’s a joke! So what do I do?
The frustration and anger are normal, Dawn. Start with the foundation: self-love. I know it may sound nauseating or ridiculous – it did to me at first as a self-harmer. But after a while, I started to feel its power, and it transformed my life. So start with self-love, and perhaps even before that, self-care. Self-care and self-love are sisters. Take it one day at a time. No one is going to take responsibility for you or your life, but you.
I must be doing great cause i got a blank page… 😄
Try a different browser Eva 😁
Thank you for all you do to help others.
I got the victim. Not surprising. I’ll have to look into Solar Plexus work.
Thank you Betsy 💛
I got the Wounded Child, of which I’m not surprised. And also the root chakra-imbalance, fear, shame, anxiety, depression and all… Plus, that I’ve been traumatised (the sneaky one) since I was a child. I know I have alot of work ahead of me…
Just take it one step at a time, Janni. Enjoy the journey and the process of both doing and being. ☯️
Wounded Child. Not surprised. Thank you
Hi Aletheia
I’m wondering if the Shadow test actually worked for me, because when I clicked an answer box the test jumped to its next page and didn’t show that I had clicked that box. In the “signs” that I am a wounded child it refers to being a workaholic, fearing my basic needs are not going to be filled, feeling ungrounded, anxious, depressed and other stuff that does not apply to me. Since I trust your work completely, I took some time to ask myself if I was just in denial of some of these feelings, but I don’t think so.
Any suggestions? Did the test actually work?
Laara
Hi Laara, I recommend trying a new web browser if you’ve had issues with the test. For instance, if you usually use Firefox or Safari, use Google Chrome, or vice versa. Then see what result you get again and let me know. ;)
I got The Idealist (Illusion), pretty accurate indeed! This was helpful, thank you Aletheia!
Thanks for sharing that Jenni!
Much love 💜
The Wounded Child. Spot on. Diagnosed with C-PTSD, ADHD, D.I.D. and High Sensitivity. I’ve come a very long way in my healing journey but the scarcity mindset, mistrust of others, and unworthiness still arise. I work very closely with all my parts, particularly the younger ones. I do my best to create a safe space for them and feel seen, heard, accepted, valued, and loved. They’re much better at trusting me, but still get triggered from time to time. I’ve integrated with several parts but there are a few that can still hijack me sometimes. But we always manage to work things out. :) Thanks for this test!
Well done Barbara! I think it’s so beautiful that you’ve chosen to work with your wounded parts and create a safe space for them. Good job ❤️
The Trickster- throat chakra, as brought up in therapy! Thank you for this
Thanks for sharing Kelly! 💙
I did not get a result, and I’m on my PC not my phone.
Have you tried a different browser, Fenris? The test should work on all devices.