Anima and animus

Anima and Animus

Anima and Animus are two fundamental concepts in the Analytical psychology of Carl Jung. The terms are derived from the Latin words for 'soul' and 'spirit', respectively.

Pronunciation

• Anima: /ˈænɪmə/
• Animus: /ˈænɪmʊs/

Etymology

The term 'Anima' is derived from the Latin word 'anima', which means 'breath, spirit, life'. The term 'Animus' is derived from the Latin word 'animus', which means 'mind, soul, spirit'.

Definition

The Anima is considered to be the unconscious feminine side of a man, and the Animus is considered to be the unconscious masculine side of a woman. These concepts are used in Jung's theory to explain the complex dynamics of the human psyche and its various aspects.

Related Terms

• Collective unconscious
• Archetype
• Persona
• Shadow (psychology)

See Also

• Carl Jung
• Analytical psychology
• Psychology of the Unconscious

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