The Explorer | Character Archetypes | Flora & Fauna Symbolic Art

Here is “The Explorer.”

The idea of the twelve character archetypes, invented by Carl Jung, is that there are universal, inborn models of people, behaviors, and personalities that influence human behavior.

Fiction writers and all kinds of storytellers use these archetypes as a helpful device when creating characters in a story. In real life, no one person fully embodies any one archetype. Rather, this is a useful device for us to describe parts of ourselves that we all have in different measures, which may come to the forefront at different moments in our lives.

Meditating on the essence of each archetype can be an inspiring and empowering reminder of the different strengths that exist within our own character. These ideas can help us answer the continual question of who we want to be in our lives.

I chose to paint animals and plants that humans have associated with the various traits inherent in the different archetypes. Some of these symbols are shared across different world cultures, others less-so.

Perhaps looking at this image will help awaken this part of your character a little bit, reminding you of a well within yourself that you can tap into when needed.

The Explorer has the freedom to explore, physically and mentally.

The caribou, like many similar herd animals, symbolizes the freedom of roaming the land far and wide.

The lotus flowers symbolize freedom of the mind, a feeling of expansion and openness, releasing the attachment to a solid way of thinking, and becoming one with the universe.

The freedom to explore means the removal of limitations and the possibility of traveling anywhere.

Contact me if you’re interested in purchasing the original painting or a print of this artwork.