Hello!
I will be discussing *briefly* of the feminine archetypes found in history over and over all throughout history. What first got me interested in archetypes? While I may not be exactly sure, I have two or three huge reasons on how I got started; one was from a blog that I've joined a blog few months ago called "The Proper Lady", ( and I recommend all young women/girls to read this blog.) and one of my favorite artists Marina and the Diamonds album "Electra Heart" and some of the works of Carl Jung; from this did I gather my information on feminine archetypes, mixed with some of my philosophical beliefs of course. After doing research and pondering on countless combinations, Second is the waif! Well, I hope you enjoy!
The Waif
The waif is the "innocent" girl. She is naive, she is vulnerable, pure, insecure, weak; however, she has will. This is the type of woman whom is often thrown into difficult situations and she usually breaks through with faith. For example think of Jane Eyre from Charlotte Bronte's novel. She isn't very much of a fighter; she has people walk over and treat her any sort of way but when it gets to be too much, she does speak up, even though she gets pushed back down, kind of like Jane Eyre. Every time she gets knocked down, she picks herself back up by gathering up her faith; she has inner strength, which takes most people by surprise. She KNOWS her inner strength, but it's a struggle for her because she cannot balance herself between being TOO masculine or TOO soft. The waif waits for rescuing, however she IS NOT the damsel in distress.
The Waif and Vulnerability
The main thing about the waif is vulnerability, besides innocence. This is the key trait that I think both male and female can and should have. Sadly, vulnerability is often associated with negative things, such as weak and powerless, and although that can be true, that's not JUST what vulnerability means. There are two types of vulnerability: physical and emotional. Physical vulnerability probably isn't good, considering the fact that that could get you killed or something. But I am mostly talking about is EMOTIONAL vulnerability. You see, everyone sees it as bad thing but it is not. Being emotional vulnerable means that you are suspectiable to emotional damage, but at the same time it means letting people and the environment around you influence you, it is showing your soft side to loved ones, and I see nothing wrong with that.
NEGATIVE *damsel in distress* 
This is the woman who SOLELY depends on the man to save her, she cannot defend herself, she is physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually weak. She does not believe in herself and always depend on the man to make decisions for her. At first, this COULD be somewhat appealing to the masculine man because it makes him feel important, but eventually it becomes very tiresome (seriously, learn how to survive on your own) and he leaves her. She is also the woman who believes she is nothing without her love, because she, like the waif, believes her whole purpose in life is to serve other and her man, but never do anything for herself.
Waif Archetype Colors: Pale pink, white, blue, grey, silver.
Examples: Persephone, Astraea, Hestia, Jane Eyre
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