Figuren

Figuren is a German noun whose plural is Figuren and whose singular form is Figur. It encompasses several related meanings centered on the idea of a form, representation, or character. In everyday language, Figur can denote the visible form or silhouette of a person or object, the body shape, or the outline of an item. It is also used to refer to a person who plays a role in a story or performance, i.e., a character in literature, film, theatre, or games; in this sense, Figuren describes all characters within a work.

In the arts and archaeology, Figuren refers to figurines—small sculpted representations of humans or animals, often made from clay, stone, metal, or other materials. The diminutive Figürchen is commonly used for particularly small figurines. The term also appears in academic and technical writing to indicate illustrated elements in a document, such as in captions for diagrams or illustrations labeled as figures (Figur 1, Figur 2, etc.), with the plural Figuren used when multiple illustrations are discussed.

In cultural discourse, figurines and figures can carry symbolic or thematic meanings, such as historical or mythical figures celebrated in art and folklore, or common archetypes used in analysis of media and narratives. The word’s versatility reflects its broad use to describe forms, representations, and characters across diverse fields.

Etymology: Figur derives from Latin figura, via Old French figure, with Figuren as the standard German plural. The term thus links physical form, representation, and character across language and culture.