Glossary of Terms
Here you will find all important terms from the Human Design System clearly explained.
A
Ajna
The Ajna Center is one of the 9 Centers (the downward-pointing triangle). Located in the middle of the forehead, also known as "the third eye." This awareness center sits between the Head Center and Throat Center and is responsible for how you think.
Aura
The electromagnetic energy field surrounding every person within a radius of approximately two meters. The aura is directly connected to the Type: Generators have an open, enveloping aura that attracts. Projectors have a focused, absorbing aura that penetrates. Manifestors have a closed, repelling aura that creates space. Reflectors have a resistant, sampling aura that mirrors their environment.
Authority
The body awareness Centers - Spleen, Sacral, Solar Plexus (Emotional Center) and Heart - when defined (colored), become the inner Authority. It should always be consulted for making life decisions, rather than making decisions through the mind.
Awareness
In Human Design there are three awareness Centers: the Spleen (body awareness/instinct in the now), the Ajna (mental awareness/conceptualization) and the Solar Plexus (emotional awareness/clarity over the wave). Each processes information in its own way with a specific form of perception.
B
BodyGraph
The Human Design diagram, or body graph, is the blueprint of your own body mechanics. It shows how your body is programmed through the newborn body - consciously and unconsciously. It shows your potential and what you are not.
Bridging Gate
A missing Gate between two definition groups in a split definition. When another person has this Gate defined, they bridge the split and both definition areas become connected.
C
Centers
There are 9 Centers in the BodyGraph. The 9 Centers are: Head Center, Ajna, Throat Center, G Center, Heart Center, Sacral Center, Solar Plexus Center, Spleen Center and Root Center.
Channel
Channels are lines or connections between two Centers. There are 36 Channels in the Human Design diagram. Each Channel carries a Gate at each end. When both Gates are active, the Channel is defined, meaning both Centers become colored or defined.
Circuits
The 36 Channels in the BodyGraph are organized into three major circuit groups, each representing a life theme: The Individual Circuit stands for uniqueness and mutation. The Tribal Circuit stands for support, loyalty and material security. The Collective Circuit stands for sharing knowledge and experiences with society - divided into Logic (future/patterns) and Abstraction (past/experience).
Composite Chart
When you combine the individual charts of two people into a relationship chart, this is a composite chart. It shows the electromagnetics between the two people.
Conditioning
Conditioning is another term for absorbing something that is not really you. Conditioning takes place in open/white or undefined Centers. This is the potential for wisdom when you live according to your Type.
Conscious / Unconscious
The two sides of the Human Design calculation. The conscious side (Personality, black in the chart) is calculated at the time of birth and shows what we consciously know about ourselves. The unconscious side (Design, red in the chart) is calculated approximately 88 days before birth and shows genetically inherited traits that we don't directly perceive - others see them in us.
D
Deconditioning
The process of letting go of conditioned thinking and behavior patterns through consistently living according to Strategy and Authority. This process takes approximately 7 years - the time it takes for all cells in the body to renew. Gradually, one learns to recognize the wisdom of the open Centers and let go of the Not-Self.
Defined Center
A Center in the BodyGraph that is displayed in color and has at least one complete Channel. In defined Centers you have reliable, constant energy that you broadcast.
Definition
Definition refers to the colored Centers in the BodyGraph. These Centers are reliable and consistent. All defined Centers work together forming a coherent whole - that is who you are. Depending on the number and arrangement, you can have single, split, triple-split or quadruple-split definition.
E
Electromagnetics
A type of connection between two people in Human Design. It occurs when one person has a Gate of a Channel defined and another person has the opposite (harmonic) Gate - together they complete the Channel. This connection creates a strong attraction and shared energy that neither possesses alone.
Emotional Wave
The natural rhythm of the Solar Plexus Center. People with a defined Solar Plexus experience emotional waves - highs and lows that don't necessarily have to do with external circumstances. For people with Emotional Authority: Never decide in the high and never in the low.
G
G Center
The G Center is the diamond shape in the middle of the Human Design BodyGraph. The Gates in the G Center tell you who you are and where you are going. It is the driver (who does not steer), so you must trust others to bring you in the right direction when you live according to your Strategy and Authority.
Gate
One of the 64 energy points in the BodyGraph, based on the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching. Each Gate sits at a specific Center and has a specific thematic quality. Two opposite Gates together form a Channel.
Gates
The 64 hexagrams of the I Ching form the 64 Gates found in the BodyGraph. Each Gate sits in a Center and connects with a corresponding Gate in another Center to form a Channel. A Gate contains 6 Lines, and each Line has potential for exalted and detrimented tendencies.
Generator
One of the four fundamental Human Design Types. A Generator is identified by a defined Sacral Center. The Generator is an energy Type, and their Strategy is to wait to respond. The Manifesting Generator is a subtype of the Generator with the same sacral aura.
H
Hanging Gate
An activated Gate whose opposite Gate in the same Channel is not defined. The hanging Gate creates an energetic longing for completion - one feels attracted to people who bring the missing harmonic Gate and thus electromagnetically complete the Channel.
Harmonic Gates
Harmonic Gates are the opposite Gates that you don't have. They complete the Channel. For example, if you have Gate 10, Gate 20 is your harmonic Gate. You have a "hanging" Channel, and you might be attracted to people with Gate 20 to complete this Channel.
Head Center
The Head Center is the top triangle in the Human Design BodyGraph. It is a pressure Center with three Gates - Inspiration (64), Doubt (63) and Curiosity (61), all projecting down into the Ajna.
Heart Center
The Heart Center is the small triangle on the right side of the Human Design BodyGraph. It is a motor Center and one of the four body awareness Centers. When defined, this Center brings the ability to keep promises and have willpower.
Hexagram
A hexagram is a configuration of 6 horizontal lines (solid lines, broken lines, or a combination of both). These come from the Chinese I Ching, an ancient divination method based on the theory of Yin and Yang. There are 64 hexagrams in the I Ching and thus 64 Gates in the Human Design diagram.
I
I Ching
The I Ching or Book of Changes is an ancient Chinese divination text. The 64 hexagrams are all possible 6-line combinations of Yin and Yang. The 64 hexagrams form the fundamental framework of the Human Design System.
Incarnation Cross
The Incarnation Cross is formed around the 4 main Gates imprinted on the day of your birth. This shows your overarching life theme and what your life's work revolves around. There are 192 crosses, each with a different theme.
L
Life Cycle
Human Design uses planetary cycles to explain the periods of your life. The Uranus Opposition (midlife crisis) occurs between 38-42 years. The Saturn Return occurs around 29.5 years. The Chiron Return occurs around 50 years.
Lines
Each hexagram has 6 Lines. Each Line has keywords that explain its definition. Lines divide into a lower triad (Lines 1-3) and an upper triad (Lines 4-6). The lower triad is personal and the upper is transpersonal.
M
Magnetic Monopole
A concept in Human Design that sits in the G Center and has the function of holding together the two aspects of the Design (Personality and Body) and determining the life direction. It draws you onto your correct trajectory in life.
Manifesting Generator
A subtype of the Generator with the same sacral aura. An MG is identified by a defined Sacral connected to the Throat, either directly or through other defined Centers. The Strategy is to wait to respond, then inform before acting. At its core, the MG is a Generator - there are only 4 fundamental Types in Human Design.
Manifestor
One of the four fundamental Human Design Types. A Manifestor is identified by a Throat connected to a motor (Heart, Solar Plexus or Root) through a defined Channel, but without a connection to the Sacral. Manifestors make up about 8% of the human population.
Motor
A motor Center generates energy. There are four motor Centers - Sacral, Heart, Solar Plexus and Root. These motor Centers can be connected directly or indirectly to the Throat to manifest or express.
N
Neutrinos
Neutrinos are subatomic particles emitted by stars and the Sun. There are 3 trillion neutrinos streaming through the body every second. These neutrinos carry information that is stored in your body, telling you what you are here to do.
Not-Self
The Not-Self is what you are not. It is another expression for being conditioned. Your Not-Self is the energy field you attract through your open/white Centers. Your Not-Self can become wisdom.
Not-Self Theme
The Not-Self Theme is what you most frequently experience when you are not living your true Self. Each Type has a Not-Self Theme: Manifestor - Anger, Generator/MG - Frustration, Projector - Bitterness, Reflector - Disappointment.
O
Open Center
A Center without any activated Gates - completely empty and maximally receptive to external energy. Unlike an undefined Center (which has at least one active Gate), the open Center is the most flexible but also the most susceptible to conditioning.
Open or Undefined Centers
Open or white Centers are undefined. They are open to conditioning, but when you live according to your Type, these Centers become places of wisdom.
P
Penta
The Penta is a group mechanism that operates in groups of 3-5 people and sets the tone in a group. The group takes on its own personality.
PHS (Primary Health System)
An advanced system in Human Design that determines the optimal nutrition and environment for your body. It is based on the Variables in the chart and belongs to the deeper layers of the system.
Planetary Activations
In your chart, 13 planetary positions are recorded. The planets are divided into two columns - Conscious (black) and Unconscious (red). Conscious is who you think you are. Unconscious is how others see you.
Profile
Your Profile is a combination of the Lines in your Personality Sun Gate and your Design Sun Gate. The 12 Profiles are: 1/3, 1/4, 2/4, 2/5, 3/5, 3/6, 4/6, 4/1, 5/1, 5/2, 6/2, 6/3.
Projector
One of the four fundamental Human Design Types. A Projector is identified by not having a defined Sacral Center and no defined connection from a motor to the Throat. Their Strategy is to wait for the invitation.
R
Ra Uru Hu
The founder of the Human Design System. Birth name: Alan Robert Krakower (1948-2011). Received the foundations of the system, by his own account, in 1987 on Ibiza during an eight-day mystical experience and taught the system for 25 years until his death.
Rave Mandala
The Rave Mandala is a wheel surrounding the Human Design diagram. It shows the astrological signs as well as the 64 hexagrams. The wheel represents how each planet travels through each area of the Mandala during our entire incarnation.
Reflector
One of the four fundamental Human Design Types. A Reflector is identified by having no defined Centers. The Strategy is to wait 29 days or a complete lunar cycle before making important decisions.
Root Center
The Root Center is the square at the bottom of the Human Design BodyGraph. It is a pressure and motor Center with 9 Gates. The Gates connect to the Sacral, Spleen and Solar Plexus.
S
Sacral Center
The Sacral Center is the square in the lower middle of the Human Design BodyGraph. It is the motor and Generator Center of the body and contains 9 Gates.
Signature
The Signature is what you experience when you are living your true Self. Each Type has a Signature: Manifestor - Peace, Generator/MG - Satisfaction, Projector - Success, Reflector - Surprise.
Solar Plexus Center
The Solar Plexus or Emotional Center is the large triangle on the right side of the Human Design BodyGraph. It is an awareness Center containing 7 Gates.
Solar Return
The annual moment when the Sun reaches exactly the same position as at birth - also called Rave Return in Human Design. From this, an individual chart for the coming year is created, showing the themes and energies of the new year.
Spleen Center
The Spleen Center is the triangle on the left side of the Human Design BodyGraph opposite the Solar Plexus. It is an awareness Center with 7 Gates.
Split Definition
When the defined Centers in the chart are not all connected to each other, this is called split definition. There is simple split definition (two separate areas), triple-split (three areas) and quadruple-split (four areas). People with split definition unconsciously search for the "bridge" between their defined areas - often through other people who bring the connecting Gate or Channel.
Strategy
The type-specific way of correctly interacting with life. Manifestors inform before they act. Generators and Manifesting Generators wait for something to respond to. Projectors wait for the invitation. Reflectors wait a complete lunar cycle (29 days). Strategy is the practical key to deconditioning.
Strategy & Authority
Strategy is specific to your Type (Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector or Reflector). There are several Authorities, determined by the defined Centers in the BodyGraph. Strategic decision-making relies on body Authority.
T
Throat Center
The Throat Center is the square in the upper middle of the Human Design BodyGraph. It is the Center of communication and manifestation/action. It is connected to other Centers through 11 Gates.
Transits
The current planetary positions and their influence on the BodyGraph. Transits activate specific Gates and Channels and act like a collective "energy weather" that affects all people through their open Centers. Daily transits change with the movement of the planets and can temporarily create Channels or definitions.
Types
There are four fundamental Human Design Types: Manifestor, Generator, Projector and Reflector. The Manifesting Generator is a subtype of the Generator with the same sacral aura. Each Type has a different Strategy and Signature.
U
Undefined Center
A Center that is not defined by a complete Channel but contains at least one active Gate. Unlike the open Center (no Gates), it has access to the theme of this Center but no fixed energy of its own.
V
Variables
Variables are the small arrows on the sides of the BodyGraph (pointing left/right). The upper arrows relate to the brain, while the lower arrows relate to the body. They provide clues about cognition, environment and nutrition.
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