{"slug":"puppet-hierarchy","name":"Puppet Hierarchy","url":"/templates/puppet-hierarchy.jpg","w":1300,"h":1390,"top":"","bottom":"","description":"Create a Puppet Hierarchy meme. Orange mannequin figures on strings in a chain of control, from biggest to smallest. Label who controls whom in any power structure.","keywords":"puppet hierarchy meme, puppet on strings meme, who controls who meme, power structure meme, puppet master meme","year":2020,"origin":"An illustration of orange articulated mannequins connected by strings in descending size order, each puppet controlling the next in a chain of hidden power. The image became a meme format for exposing who is really pulling the strings in any given hierarchy. For related power-structure formats, see the Brain Template or the Expanding Drake meme.","format":"template","textBoxes":[{"label":"Biggest (the real power)","x":44.8,"y":0.5,"w":38,"h":18.6,"placeholder":"The real power","fontFamily":"Arial","fontColor":"#FFFFFF","strokeColor":"#000000","strokeWidth":2,"isBold":false,"isAllCaps":false,"textAlign":"center","fontSize":40,"opacity":1},{"label":"Medium-large","x":14.5,"y":21.9,"w":31,"h":15.4,"placeholder":"Controls this","fontFamily":"Arial","fontColor":"#FFFFFF","strokeColor":"#000000","strokeWidth":2,"isBold":false,"isAllCaps":false,"textAlign":"center","fontSize":38,"opacity":1},{"label":"Medium","x":7.2,"y":39.1,"w":27.5,"h":15.8,"placeholder":"Controls this","fontFamily":"Arial","fontColor":"#FFFFFF","strokeColor":"#000000","strokeWidth":2,"isBold":false,"isAllCaps":false,"textAlign":"center","fontSize":36,"opacity":1},{"label":"Small","x":13.1,"y":56.6,"w":25.3,"h":15.2,"placeholder":"Controls this","fontFamily":"Arial","fontColor":"#FFFFFF","strokeColor":"#000000","strokeWidth":2,"isBold":false,"isAllCaps":false,"textAlign":"center","fontSize":34,"opacity":1},{"label":"Smallest (the puppet)","x":16.3,"y":75.1,"w":26.9,"h":15,"placeholder":"The puppet","fontFamily":"Arial","fontColor":"#FFFFFF","strokeColor":"#000000","strokeWidth":2,"isBold":false,"isAllCaps":false,"textAlign":"center","fontSize":32,"opacity":1}],"exampleCaptions":["MY CAT","MY WIFE","MY BOSS","THE ECONOMY","ME"],"exampleAltText":"Puppet Hierarchy meme showing the cat controls the wife controls the boss controls the economy controls me","exampleRefreshDate":"2026-05-15","howToMake":["Open the Puppet Hierarchy template with five orange mannequin figures in descending size","Label the largest figure on the right with the true source of power","Work left and downward labeling each intermediate layer of control","Label the smallest figure at the bottom-left as the hapless end puppet","The best versions reveal hidden or absurd power chains — the more unexpected the top puppeteer, the better"],"seo":{"aliases":["Puppet on Strings Meme","Who Controls Who Meme","Mannequin Puppet Hierarchy","Puppet Master Chain Meme"],"description":"Five orange articulated mannequin figures suspended by strings in a cascade, each larger figure controlling the one below it. The chain runs from a towering puppet master on the right down to a tiny figure at the far left. The visual hierarchy makes it instantly readable as a power structure diagram. Label the layers from true controller to ultimate puppet and reveal who is really running things.","definition":"A five-level puppet hierarchy meme using orange mannequin figures on strings. Each figure controls the next smaller one, used to map hidden chains of power, influence, or control.","useCases":[{"category":"Household Power Dynamics","examples":["MY CAT / MY WIFE / MY BOSS / THE ECONOMY / ME","THE DOG / THE KIDS / MY SPOUSE / SOCIAL MEDIA / MY WALLET","CAFFEINE / MY ALARM / MY SCHEDULE / MY MOOD / MY PRODUCTIVITY"]},{"category":"Corporate & Political Structures","examples":["SHAREHOLDERS / THE CEO / MIDDLE MANAGEMENT / HR POLICY / YOU","THE ALGORITHM / THE BRAND DEAL / THE INFLUENCER / THE TREND / YOUR PURCHASE","LOBBYISTS / CAMPAIGN DONORS / THE POLITICIAN / THE POLICY / ALL OF US"]}]}}