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!
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.
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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?
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.
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”.
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$5
I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t feel a strong emotional response or logical pull to the first three questions, so I’m still not sure if my shadow was ID’d correctly.
Well, this test has opened my eyes a bit, and I’m eager to explore this archetype more. I got: The Nihilist
Hello, I do not struggle with any of these types. Should I consider selecting another question? I am curious however, about the statement that we all have a shadow archetype. I do not struggle with depression, anxiety or low self-esteem. I have healthy boundaries with others, and I am confident person in general. I do not struggle with any addictions or negative behaviors. I am not a people-pleaser and I do not judge myself or others harshly. I am not hyper-vigilant, and I am not a victim and I do not express any type of negative emotions. I am in control of my emotions daily as I practice meditation and Yoga. I have a healthy relationship with my adult children and friends, and parents. Please share you thoughts of whether I should continue this testing or if you have any questions that I might consider or self-reflect on, I would be most grateful to hear your thoughts. Kind regards, Leslie
The addict is what I got! So real for me.
I’ve got the trickster, was a bit surprised, not nice, but I guess there’s a lot of truth in it. Yes definitely, and it’s at the troath chakra as it’s hard for me to speak my truth.
Thank you for your work Aletheia.
I didn’t get any results from the free test.
I got Victim and I want to change that.
The wounded child! Accurate. I came to this realization in 2022 when like as I knew it blew up. I’m learning to reparent her and welcome all the information and tools I can get. Thank you so much. Your website literally speaks to my soul!
The Victim shadow. Insanely precise explanation. I came here trying to figure out how I recently became a victim of the same $hit I already healed. I thought I learned all the signs to watch for and failed to keep myself safe. The explanation under Victim Shadow was exactly what I needed to know, I haven’t been showing myself compassion. I’ve been blaming myself for being too stupid to see the monsters before they attack…and blaming myself for attracting them, somehow they can still sniff me out, even after decades of healing and learning! This was not a dating situation, happened while covering a shift for someone else. Minding my business, just being polite. Now I’m off work, struggling with a return of the agoraphobia I also already dealt with.
Will be repeating all your advice on this website…clearly I’ve missed things to clear in me.
Big thanks to you both for doing all this work to help the rest of us!!!
Wounded Child Shadow… root Chakra balance needed… fits like a glove…
Validation of my central feelings lately. Thank you