The term Archetype was used by psycho-theorist Carl Jung to describe unconscious concepts and experiences that manifest consciously in different ways.
This idea is very useful, especially in psychological astrology. It helps to think of the planets and signs as expressing and symbolizing universal experiences and concepts. These reflect different dynamics, themes and drives within the human psyche.
An archetype can manifest in many different ways through the person's culture, family norms, individuality, etc.