Shadow (psychology)
In analytical psychology, the shadow (also known as ego-dystonic complex, repressed id, shadow aspect, or shadow archetype) is an unconscious aspect of the personality that does not correspond with the ego ideal, leading the ego to resist and project the shadow, leading to a conflict with it. In short, the shadow is the self's emotional blind spot - the part the ego does not want to acknowledge - projected as archetypes—or, in a metaphorical sense-image complexes, personified within the collective unconscious; e.g., trickster.[1][2][3][4][5]
The shadow is an interesting concept as it is indirectly represented in many pop culture mediums, with few direct mentions. A well known example would be found in Mr. Hyde from Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Their confrontations represent many of the ideas of the shadow.[64] The 1971 David Bowie song 'Shadow Man' invokes the concept.[65]
Of notable mention is Persona, a series of Japanese role-playing video games (JRPG) where many Jungian concepts are used directly, including the shadow, the collective shadow, Persona, and Archetypes. [66][67]
Another notable mention is Wraith: The Oblivion, a tabletop RPG in which the players take on characters who are recently dead and are now ghosts (Wraiths). Each Wraith possesses a secondary personality called a Shadow. Their Shadow, often portrayed by another player, works to assert dominance over the character. The Shadow's motives are always self-destruction of the Wraith. With a mix of emotional fetters and the confrontational play style that the Shadow presents, games of Wraith: The Oblivion are often powerfully emotive.
More examples include: