In her book, Shadows of Type, Angelina Bennet includes a helpful chart which pairs each of Jung’s eight functions with a symbolic concept believed to represent it. She associates Extraverted Thinking, for instance, with a fencing sword.
In this post, we’ll examine the symbols Bennet employs to represent Jung’s functions. We’ve also added images to better illustrate them, as well as a useful visual summary at the end of the post.
Extraverted Thinking (Te): “Fencing Sword”
Description: Swift, efficient, quick.
The expressions of Extraverted Thinking (Te) are precise and to the point. One is rarely forced to guess what an ENTJ or ESTJ (i.e., “ETJs”) is thinking, as these types are always ready and willing to express their thoughts. ETJs are straight-shooters, disinclined to “beat around the bush.” If you’re wanting a little sugar to go with your medicine, you’re unlikely to get it from an ETJ.
In this light, we can appreciate Bennet’s use of the “fencing sword” concept, as ETJs’ judgments are quick, pointed, and precise.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe): “Radiant Sun”
Description: Warm, positive, outward reaching.
Like Te, Extraverted Feeling (Fe) is an extraverted judging function. While Fe can also deliver quick judgments, the expressions of EFSJ and ENFJ types are typically rich in emotion as they emanate from the heart. EFJs are natural persuaders and motivators. They know how to rally the troops and get everyone on the same emotional page. In speaking from the heart, they naturally stir the hearts of those around them.
In addition to its warmth, Fe can also be quite intense. Orators like Martin Luther King or Tony Robbins are good examples. Therefore, Bennet’s notion of a “radiant sun” nicely symbolizes both the emotional warmth and intensity that characterizes this function.
Extraverted Sensing (Se): “Lightning”
Description: Fast, impressive, energetic.
Extraverted Sensing (Se) is quick to take notice of environmental details. It constantly scans its surroundings and zeroes-in on objects of interest. Due to its observational powers, Se users often have good visual memories, able to accurately recall landmarks and other visual details. Se types, namely ESTPs and ESFPs, can also think quickly on their feet, contributing to their aptitude as athletes, performers, emergency responders, etc.
Bennet’s “lightning” descriptor thus appears to effectively capture the workings of Se, as well as the swift and spontaneous responses ESPs are known for.
Extraverted Intuition (Ne): “Fireworks”
Description: One (idea) after another, exciting.
Extraverted Intuition (Ne) is a prolific producer of ideas and possibilities. ENTPs and ENFPs can be commonly seen brainstorming aloud, barely finishing one thought before they’re onto the next. There’s also an air of excitement or enthusiasm about their ideas, as each idea is felt to have its own sense of novelty and promise. While other types may be dizzied by the speed and multi-directionality of Ne, one thing’s for sure—life is never dull with an ENP around.
Bennet’s “fireworks” concept is thus apropos for Ne. This function starts with an idea—the first boom, if you will—then cascades into an array of related thoughts and possibilities. You can learn more about Ne in our Finding Your Path course.
Introverted Thinking (Ti): “Oyster & Pearl”
Description: Working on something until perfect or correct.
At first blush, it may seem a bit strange that Bennet chose to associate Introverted Thinking (Ti) with pearl-making. But when we look at the lives of INTPs and ISTPs, many are devoted to honing and refining their craft, whether as mechanics, craftspersons, philosophers, or small business owners.
ITPs are often at their best when investing in something that’s entirely their own. That thing—whatever it happens to be—is their pearl.
Introverted Feeling (Fi): “Dormant Volcano”
Description: Strong, quiet, hidden depths.
Introverted Feeling (Fi) monitors and manages emotions on a largely independent basis. Unlike Fe types, INFPs and ISFPs don’t wear their emotions on their sleeves. Strangers may thus perceive these types as coy or cool, perhaps even unemotional. But this couldn’t be further from the truth, as IFPs are wellsprings of emotion. One only needs to read their poetry, listen to music they’ve composed, or watch them engage with their children to glimpse their emotional depths.
Bennet’s notion of the “dormant volcano” is therefore an apt descriptor of Fi. Indeed, I recently observed an INFP fashion designer on the reality show, “Making the Cut,” describe herself using this exact term.
Introverted Sensing (Si): “Oak Tree”
Description: Stable, traditional, grounded.
Introverted Sensing (Si) is rooted in our past experience. Whenever we try to preserve the past, or perpetuate it into the present, we are engaging Si. Our habits, routines, and traditions all bear an Si imprint.
As illustrated by the “oak tree” image, Si has a substantiality and deep-rootedness that fortifies it against even the most powerful winds. This can be both a strength and weakness of ISTJs and ISFJs, who can be extremely loyal, steady and committed, but also stubborn and resistant to change.
Introverted Intuition (Ni): “Galaxy”
Description: Drawing things in, ever-expanding, never-ending.
Introverted Intuition (Ni) is an introverted perceiving function. So just as an Se user might gaze upon our external universe, INTJs and INFJs inhabit their own inner galaxy, which feels similarly immense and infinite.
That said, Ni is typically best described in terms of its depth rather than breadth. While its breadth may be circumscribed, its depth is unbounded. In this light, I might have chosen an alternate image for Ni, such as a deep sea diver, but acknowledge that INJs may nonetheless resonate with Bennet’s “galaxy” concept.
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Gwyneth says
As an Aquarian INFJ, I resonated immediately with “Galaxy”.
Marcia R says
As an INTJ, I really liked this pairing a function with a symbol. For me, the symbols communicate about me: Galaxy, Fencing Sword, Dormant Volcano and Lightning. There’s the sense of infinate-ness, laser focus, sleeping might and observant. They are a somewhat contradictory (infinite and focus… sleeping might and lightning) but that describes me. It takes a lot of willpower to wrangle all of those characteristics into one person, and sometimes it is very tiring, but we INTJs make it work. I guess part of our developments is to balance the four.
Thank you for yet another interesting and insightful article.
Fernando says
Such an excelent read. I didn’t know this concept before. Already shared with all “junkies” I know :)
M says
I always thought of Ne as a galaxy of possibilities. Although, I don’t disagree with the fireworks image. To me, Ni feels more like the galaxy has already been eliminated. It makes me envision a spiral. The open end of the spiral is the galaxy, how I understand and envision Ne and as it spirals down, it grabs onto multiple possibilities. At some point, it spirals down to just a few. I kind of get the impression that this is where Ni lives. I think of it as a meeting point between the two functions. Ni sees multiple perspectives but not endless perspectives. I also envision a deep dark lake that has the most concentrated yet simple essence. Like simple sugar. The perfect balance of water and sugar. Its simple because…its just water and sugar, yet its most concentrated because the water is saturated with the most sugar it can hold.
Alex says
This is very interesting! My personal symbol is a heart with sunbeams I call it a heart star.
-INFJ
Marcia Girardi says
INFJ: I relate to the heart radiating sunbeams, Heart Star from Alex INFJ.
My logo is a ruby star radiating light.
My personal vision statement is “I am the sparkling ruby light of inspiration and connection “.
Also, in the New Equations method, I am a Soul Type 6, centered in the heart, “Spiritual Insights”. (Newequations.com)
Benjamin says
Wow, all of these — descriptions and imagery both — feel very spot-on to me. It’s easy to connect them with particular memories of mine in which someone or me exemplified one of the functions exactly. Thanks for penning this one!
Bill Watson says
I’m an INFP. I can see how these images would correspond to how others would experience my functions, but it’s actually the images from the opposite orientation that really resonate with me. This is particularly the case on the dominant-inferior axis. For my secondary and tertiary functions, it’s actually the introverted images that appeal most. I find this interesting because I know that at least at one point Jung thought that all the non-dominant functions would have the opposite orientation to the dominant.
Tanya says
INFJ swimming through the luscious warmth of that Galaxy!
Kristin Choruby says
Wow, I like the oyster & pearl symbol for Ti–it certainly wasn’t the first association to jump to mind, but the explanation makes perfect sense to me. Fe’s radiant sun and Fi’s dormant volcano gel with how I already visualized those functions, so it’s nice to know I was on the right track.
As an INFJ, I agree that I always had the sense that there was an entire world of my own–which grew to a whole universe as I got older–inside my head. In addition, I’ve always been attracted to the stars and galaxies and the unknowable mysteries of space. I was actually disappointed when I learned (around the second grade, I think?) that stars are merely flaming balls of gas floating in a vacuum–that took most of the mystery and romance out of the cosmos for me. I later found comfort in that line from A Wrinkle in Time that says something to the effect that fire and gas are only what a star is made of, not what it actually is.
I think the galaxy symbol is appropriate for Ni partially because of its sheer infinite complexity (heaven knows INJs love complexity!) but also because you can both achieve a holistic vision of the greater, well, whole and focus deeply and intensely on any smaller element you choose–one of the galaxy’s arms, a single star, one planet, heck, even one life form on that planet. Ni can go from pondering the biggest questions in the cosmos to considering a single concept from every angle.
Personality Hacker had a great podcast called “Why the World Needs Introverted Intuition” where they talked about how Ni can “zoom out” to get a bird’s eye view of whatever interests it–a society, a system, a scientific or philosophical discipline, etc. The corollary (due at least in part to lower Se’s ability to “zero in on objects of interest,” I think) is that Ni can also zoom IN to get a deep understanding of a smaller component in its field of interest–say, understanding the unspoken motivations of one specific person or contemplating all the nuances and implications of Descartes’s maxim “I think, therefore I am,” all while remaining subconsciously aware of the object-of-focus’s relationship to the bigger picture. Perhaps Ni’s symbol should be a really powerful zoom lens :P.
Another commentor above mentioned that they could see a galaxy being a good symbol for Ne too. I think the difference would be that Ne would look at the galaxy and see the endless number and variety of stars, while Ni would look at the galaxy and see a self-contained, unified fractal, if that makes any sense.
Valerie says
As an INFJ, the galaxy image feels right to me. Deep sea diving seems more like struggle and having to wrest something up from the depths. With the galaxy, it’s more like letting things align and then just knowing. I am much more able to be certain when I allow rather than pursue.
Alisa says
I was immediately drawn to the galaxy picture. The depth and vastness drew me in. Limitless. And yes, I’m an INTJ.