Which Shadow Archetype Am I?

This quiz will tell you which shadow archetype you are!

We all have light and dark "selves": the ones we project into the world, and the ones buried deep in our subconscious. Jung called this hidden part of us the shadow self, and some people believe that figuring out what your shadow archetype is can help you heal from past wounds and grow as a person.

But which shadow archetype best represents you? Answer a few quick questions, and we'll tell you. Hit "Start Quiz" to begin!

Disclaimer: This quiz is not meant to be a diagnostic tool and shouldn't be used as one. Always see a licensed medical professional to address any mental health concerns.

An illustration of a person with a looming shadow behind them.

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Questions Overview

1. When you were growing up, did your parents/caretakers accept you for who you were?
  1. Yes, they loved and accepted me completely.
  2. They accepted some parts of me, but not others.
  3. They completely rejected me.
  4. They didn't care about me one way or the other.
2. Did you often feel lonely as a child or teen?
  1. Yes, I felt completely alone and isolated.
  2. I was alone, but not lonely.
  3. I was social enough. I had a few friends.
  4. I was very social and popular.
3. Would you describe yourself as self-destructive?
  1. Yes, definitely.
  2. Sometimes.
  3. Not really.
  4. Not at all.
4. What would you say you struggle with the most?
  1. Giving and receiving love.
  2. Letting go and not trying to control everything.
  3. Existential dread and depression.
  4. Accomplishing my goals.
5. What bothers you the most?
  1. People who take advantage of others.
  2. People who never take things seriously.
  3. People who care only about themselves.
  4. People who are clingy and whiny.
6. You've made a mistake, and someone is confronting you about it. How do you react?
  1. I immediately take responsibility and do whatever it takes to fix things.
  2. I apologize profusely and cry.
  3. I turn the blame back onto them.
  4. I smooth-talk my way out of it.
7. How do you feel when you're around other people?
  1. Anxious and paranoid.
  2. Shy and hyper-observant.
  3. Calm and confident.
  4. Energized and excited.
8. What do you consider to be your role in your friend group?
  1. I take care of everyone.
  2. I'm the leader.
  3. I'm the innocent baby.
  4. Friends?
9. Would you say you're more focused on the past, the present, or the future?
  1. Past
  2. Present
  3. Future
  4. A mix
10. How do you feel about your life goals?
  1. Ambitious.
  2. Worried.
  3. Calm.
  4. I have no goals.

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What does my result mean?

Psychologist Carl Jung developed the theory that we all possess an unconscious, secret part of our personality that hides our repressed urges, our weaknesses, and our socially unacceptable impulses. But some researchers have further theorized that we each contain a different "type" of shadow self, one that speaks to our specific unconscious urges and weaknesses.

Different researchers and writers have created their own list of "types," and we've formed our own, as well! This quiz will help you figure out what your shadow self is concealing, as well as how you can start overcoming your shadow self so that you can live your best life:


The Victim: All you long for is compassion and attention—just like any of us! But your natural, healthy, human need for love and care is tainted by insecurity, a lack of willpower, and struggles to maintain personal boundaries. You may be a people pleaser, willing to do whatever it takes to "earn" love from others. But real love isn't earned. You're worthy of love just by being you. You may feel powerless most of the time, as if you have no say in what happens to you—but remember that you are in control of your life, and you must take responsibility for what you do...and what you accept from others.

The Tyrant: You want to be known and loved—just like everyone! But you may have been conditioned to believe you can only attain what you want through force, or by making others feel small. It's natural to feel frustration when you don't receive the care you want, the care you deserve. But love cannot be bullied. And anyway, would you really want love that wasn't freely given? We don't think you would. Your desire for control may drive a wedge between you and the people you care for. It's scary to let go, but know that you hold more power than you think: it's possible to assert yourself, your wants, and your needs, while respecting the sovereignty of others at the same time. This is how we cultivate love.

The Critic: Like all of us, all you want is to be understood and loved for who you are, but your fear of rejection and abandonment has formed a wall between you and the people around you. You may find it easier to dismiss other people before getting too close to them: after all, it's better to ditch them before they ditch you, right? This emotional distance is a defense mechanism you honed, probably after experiencing deep and painful rejection in the past. And while that defense mechanism may have made sense at the time, you know, deep down, that the way to truly experience deep and honest Knowing is to let your guard down, and let love in.

The Loner: Based on your answers, your shadow self is the Loner. Deep down, you may want to have strong, close relationships, but a fear of rejection has taught you to maintain your distance from others. You form an emotional wall between yourself and anyone who dares to get close to you. You're better off on your own, you think. We get it. We really do. But you know somewhere inside that playing it safe this way isn't a recipe for lasting happiness: it's a recipe for aloneness. You want a village? Be a villager. Put yourself out there. Be there for others, and allow them to be there for you. Nobody does life alone, not even the lone wolves.

The Rescuer: Based on your answers, your shadow self is the Rescuer. You long to be loved and cared for, but you've been taught that you must put all your energies into loving and caring for others...even if they don't return the attention. And maybe it's easier to help others than it is to help yourself because helping yourself means facing your own pain. You feel like a martyr at times, sacrificing yourself on the altar of other people's healing. When is it your turn, you wonder? Your turn is now. Take your energy back and devote it to your own healing, your own growth, your own self-fulfillment and joy and peace. Stop rescuing others and rescue your own inner child. They need you.

The Bear: Based on your answers, your shadow self is the Bear. You wish you could be truly seen and loved, but your past experiences have conditioned you to believe nobody can be trusted. Like a wounded animal, you cry out in rage and fear and longing, and this makes some people run away. You tell yourself that's what you want. But is it? Your wounds may have made you prideful—it's easier than letting your guard down, right? But the only way to receive love is to let go a bit and practice trusting others. Yes, trusting others means opening yourself up to heartache. But the alternative is to become a stone: cold, unbreakable, unalive. That's not what you want, and it's not what you deserve, either.

The Dependent: You want nothing more than to be taken care of and to be safe, just like anyone. But somewhere along the way, you were told that you weren't capable of taking care of yourself. Now, you rely on other people to protect you, to make your decisions for you, and to validate you. It's convenient, but it's frustrating: no matter how old you get, you still, somehow, feel like a child. But listen to us when we say you are powerful. You are the master of your own life, and even if you don't get attention from other people, you can still love yourself. Care for yourself the way you'd care for a small child or an animal: with love and affection and patience. You're stronger than you know.

The Clown: All you long for is the freedom to be yourself, and to be loved for who you are! But your fear of vulnerability and struggle to express yourself often results in secretiveness and hiding who you are, or pretending to be someone else. You may come across as confident on the surface, but underneath, you're probably scared, because, well, you're not totally sure who you are yet. We're here to tell you, it's OK to be scared, and it's OK to not know what you want or who you want to be. Nobody has it figured out all the time! But taking small steps towards being more honest, genuine, and open with yourself and with others will help your identity become more solid, more real.


Note: Keep in mind that the notion of shadow self archetypes isn't rooted in scientific evidence, and most psychologists today don't recognize the validity of this practice. This quiz is meant to be an interesting way to explore your personality, not a diagnostic tool.

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