Anima Meaning and Definition

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Anima

Anima

Pronunciation

/ˈɑːnɨmə/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The anima is a psychological concept referring to the feminine aspect of a person’s personality, as defined by Carl Jung. It represents a person’s unconscious femininity and typically emerges in dreams and fantasies.

Examples

  • The therapist helped his patient understand the anima’s presence in his dreams.
  • The poet explored the anima’s influence on his writing and creativity.

Synonyms

  • Feminine
  • Unconscious
  • Psyche

Antonyms

  • Logos
  • Principle
  • Rational

Etymology

The word ‘anima’ originates from Latin, where it means ‘soul’ or ‘breath.’ In psychology, it refers to the feminine aspect of a person’s personality.

Additional Information

The anima typically represents a person’s unconscious femininity and may emerge in dreams and fantasies. It is an integral part of a person’s psyche, influencing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The anima’s presence can be both positive and negative, often symbolizing a person’s creative potential and emotional depth.

The anima can also be seen as a manifestation of the Great Mother archetype, reflecting a person’s connection to nature and the feminine principles of receptivity and nurturing.

In various cultures, the anima is associated with goddesses and feminine deities, symbolizing empowerment, creativity, and spiritual growth.

Usage Notes

The word ‘anima’ is often used in psychological and philosophical contexts to describe the feminine aspect of a person’s personality. It is essential to understand the anima’s role in a person’s psyche when exploring their creativity, emotions, and behaviors.

Cultural References

  • Author Carl Jung explored the concept of anima in his book ‘The Collected Works of C.G. Jung.’
  • The anima is a central theme in Joseph Campbell’s ‘The Hero with a Thousand Faces.’

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

  • ‘Soul searching’ refers to exploring one’s anima to understand their inner-self.
  • ‘Heart of the matter’ describes the anima’s influence on a person’s emotions and behaviors.

Related Words or Phrases

  • Coleoptera refers to the order of insects that includes beetles, which are often associated with the anima’s connection to nature.
  • Empedocles’ concept of the four roots of being (earth, water, air, fire) is linked to the anima’s role in shaping a person’s personality.

Collocations

  • ‘Anima mundi’
  • ‘Soul of the world’
  • ‘Heart of the universe’

Frequency of Use

The word ‘anima’ is primarily used in academic and philosophical contexts, making it less common in everyday language.

Common Misspellings

  • ‘Animus’
  • ‘Anima Mundi’
  • ‘Soul’

Cross-References