What is an archetype? The word archetype comes from the Greek “arkhetupon” which in turn is composed of two words:
The noun “arkhe”, which can be translated as
“origin”.
The name “tupos”, which is equivalent to “models”.
An archetype is an original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form: prototype. The original mould in which an object is produced for the first time.
Archetypes are patterns from which other elements or ideas derive. It can be something physical or symbolic, always capable of generating something more from themselves.
The archetype can also be considered as an example. From the archetype, behaviours and ways of thinking are modelled that are constructed by imitation or in search of similarity.
