Alien Forms: In UFO sightings and alleged "contact" reports, what are the most commonly described alien archetypes (e.g., Grey aliens, Reptilians, Nordics)? What are the origins of these forms?

Hey, this is an interesting question! When we talk about UFOs and aliens, you'll indeed find that people all over the world, when describing the aliens they've "seen," tend to cycle through a few classic archetypes. It's as if aliens also have their own "bestsellers." Let's take a look at the three most common "internet-famous" aliens and discuss where they came from.

1. The Greys

These are undoubtedly the center of attention, and the most deeply ingrained alien image.

What do they look like? Large heads, large eyes (pure black, almond-shaped, with no whites or pupils), small mouths, small noses, and almost no ears. Their bodies are frail, limbs are slender, and they are usually short (about 1-1.2 meters tall). Their skin is grey, hence the name "Greys."
What are they up to? In most stories, the Greys are not here to make friends. They are most often associated with "Alien Abduction" incidents. Reports describe them performing various medical examinations on humans aboard their spacecraft, implanting unknown objects, extracting genetic material, etc., with a cold demeanor, like scientists studying lab mice.
How did this image originate? The image of the "Greys" truly gained prominence thanks to the "Betty and Barney Hill Abduction Case" in the United States in 1961. The couple claimed to have been abducted by aliens, and later, through hypnotic regression therapy, described the aliens who abducted them as these "large-headed, large-eyed" grey short beings. This case had a huge impact at the time, with details widely reported by the media. Subsequently, this image was adopted and reinforced by countless science fiction works, films, and TV series. For example, the aliens in Steven Spielberg's film Close Encounters of the Third Kind are very similar to this image, ultimately solidifying it as the "standard portrait" of an alien. Although the famous "Roswell Incident" occurred in 1947, the claim that "Grey" bodies were found in the crashed spacecraft only became popular decades later, also influenced by this image.

2. Reptilians

This image leans more towards conspiracy theories, being relatively rare in UFO contact reports but extremely popular in conspiracy circles.

What do they look like? As the name suggests, they look human but possess reptilian features, such as scales, vertical pupils (like a cat's or snake's eyes), and forked tongues. They are also said to be able to shapeshift and disguise themselves as humans.
What are they up to? They are not here for research; they are here to subvert. In legends, they are secret rulers embedded within human elite circles (such as high-ranking government officials, royalty, business magnates), attempting to control Earth from within and enslave humanity.
How did this image originate? While the concept of "snake people" or "lizard people" existed in some ancient myths and science fiction novels (e.g., the aliens in the American TV series V disguised themselves as humans), the person who popularized the conspiracy theory of "Reptilians ruling the world" is primarily a Briton named David Icke. Starting in the 1990s, he wrote many books and gave numerous lectures, promoting this theory. Although it sounds far-fetched, it resonated with many people's distrust of power, thus gaining a considerable following. Therefore, the image of "Reptilians" largely stems from modern conspiracy culture rather than traditional UFO sightings or abduction reports.

3. The Nordics

If the Greys are "scientists" and the Reptilians are "conspirators," then the Nordics are the "angels" or "beauties" among aliens.

What do they look like? Tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, with fair skin, they strongly resemble people of Nordic descent. They are usually described as very handsome or beautiful, even possessing a divine aura.
What are they up to? They typically play the role of "friendly cosmic neighbors" or "spiritual mentors." In contact reports, they warn humanity against nuclear weapons, advocate for environmental protection, or impart philosophical ideas about universal peace and love. They are here to help, not to cause destruction.
How did this image originate? The image of the "Nordics" primarily emerged from the "Contactee Movement" of the 1950s. The most famous figure was an American named George Adamski, who claimed to have befriended a handsome, Nordic-looking man from Venus (named Orthon) and was even taken to visit his spacecraft. During that Cold War era, people were fearful of nuclear war and fascinated by space. This image of "saviors from the stars" perfectly met their psychological needs, thus spreading rapidly. This image is essentially an idealized, deified Caucasian archetype.

In summary: What are the roots of these images?

In fact, these alien images are more like a mirror reflecting our inner world, embodying our hopes and fears.

The Greys: Represent our fear of the unknown, the coldness of modern technology, and the anxiety of losing bodily autonomy. They are like emotionless scientists, making us fear becoming experimental subjects.
The Reptilians: Represent our distrust of power and suspicion that "the enemy is among us." This "shapeshifter" image perfectly caters to the conspiratorial mindset in society.
The Nordics: Represent our yearning for beauty, wisdom, and salvation. In a world full of problems, we hope for a higher, more perfect "god" or "elder" to guide and protect us.

Finally, popular culture (films, television, novels) has played a huge role in catalyzing and solidifying these images. A successful film, like The X-Files with its Greys, can embed an image into the minds of generations worldwide.

So, the next time you hear stories about these aliens, besides finding them novel, you might also consider: Is this story really about aliens, or is it about us humans?