How to Grasp your Human Design Chart
Explaining what you can see in a human design chart with rich visuals
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In this article you will find illustrations and descriptions of the basics of human design. Take your time and read through what I have written for you. If you don't have the time and just want your unique Human Design Chart explained, then you can book a Reading with me here.

The Design Side
You can see very well that the red side is called "design" and is related to the body. It is what others see in you and what you are unaware of. It is the tunnels in which magic happens that you can only recognize retrospectively.
The Personality Side
On the right side we have the personality, all in black. This is related to your mind, but also to your psychology. It is what you think you are. It is what you can consciously identify about yourself.
Astrological Symbols
In addition, you can very well recognize which of the astrological symbols is assigned to which planet or celestial aspect. Be aware that the sun and the earth already make up 70% of your being.
Hexagrams & Gates
What we can also see here are the numbers which we call gates or hexgrams. These are fixed potentials, aspects imprinted by the planets at your birth. Behind each gate is a "dot" and behind it another number. The number behind the gates is called a line. There are 6 lines for each gate. Behind the line you can see from time to time a triangle looking up or down or both at the same time. This is an indication of a fixation of the line - because these are also binary. if the triangle looks down, the line is in detriment. if it looks up, it is in exaltation. None of these is better or worse. By the way, a gate can be dormant if it is hanging from an open center, or actively hanging if it is hanging from a defined center.
Centers
A center is an energy hub that brings context, represents a kind of life dimension, and transmutes the inherent energies. A center can be defined consciously or unconsciously - thus colored. There are completely open centers, without any activation, and there are undefined centers, where at least one activation is present.
Defintion / Channels
For there to be a definition, i.e. a minimum of 2 defined centers, a channel must be defined. Please note that a channel has nothing to do with the gates. Here the principle of "the sum is greater than its parts" applies. Of course we have unconscious channels and conscious channels, where life-force is constantly flowing. And we can also recognize open channels, where we are receptive for specific energetics. Open does not mean empty! Open centers receive energy and amplify it. Therefore, we also find the not-self themes mainly in the open centers.
THE 4 TYPES IN HUMAN DESIGN
Now that we have heard about the different elements in the Human Design Chart, I would like to briefly discuss the 4 different Types.
Hint: We often find the statement on the internet that there are 5 types and we also often hear the term energy types - please note that this is incorrect.
Type = Aura
The most important thing to understand is that Type describes the aura, the energy field that is in constant contact with our environment and interacts with it. Aura is a concept that should be familiar to many, but in Human Design there are four different auras - whereby ultimately everyone has a very unique aura. Our energy field has a size of about 2-3 arm lengths in all directions around us, like a sphere. An aura cannot be blocked by anything and even goes through the walls of your house. If we live our Type, then we don't have to fear and protect ourselves, because we will face exactly the things aurally that is correct for us
Energy & Awarenes Types
The Manifestor and Generator are considered Energy Types because they both have a motor definition for either generating or manifesting; what gives them consistent access to the use and application of energy.
The Projector and Reflector are referred to as Non-energy Types because they either have no motor definition at all or if they have a motor definition they can’t use it for generating or manifesting. I also like to call them Awareness Types.
THE 4 TYPES - OVERVIEW:
Generator Aura: Open & Enveloping
It’s open, attracting and enveloping. Literally takes in everything. An aura that can’t close. It’s receptive to and embracing it all. Others experience this as engaging & accessible people.
Projector Aura: Focusing & Absorbing
It’s focused, penetrating and absorbing. Focused with a laser like quality on the G of the other. Can only focus on one person at a time. Gives powerful attention but can feel uncomfortable. An Aura to see the other person clearly.
Manifestor Aura: Closed & Repelling
It’s closed, dense and repelling. Not a welcoming aura. No matter how friendly & open a Manifestor may try to be, people cannot get very close - can not get in. Their aura is designed to keep other aura types away (because they are not here to be influenced).
Reflector Aura: Resistant & Sampling
It’s resistant, teflon-like and sampling. Not so much vulnerable to the conditioning influence of other people. Designed to only let in small samples of information or energy. Samples and reflects the health of their community / environment.
Distortion & Resistance
For all Types, the experience of resistance is a key sign post for recognising that the Not-Self mind is trying to control life.There’s a specific kind of resistance which serves as a signpost for each type called
Not-Self Theme:
• For the Manifestor it is Anger
• For the Generator it is Frustration
• For the Projector it is Bitterness
• For the Reflector it is Disappointment
It’s important to notice those moments of resistance because they’re a clear indication that the Not-Self is in control. It happens when the mind tries to make decisions & direct life according to its distorted & conditioned viewpoint. The continual process of meeting resistance in life puts great wear and tear on the body and it negatively impacts the personality as well.
The Unique Strategy
The Strategy represents being in the world without resistance - a way that aligns us with our unique geometry in the overall flow of the totality, and supports the process of becoming our authentic self. Each Aura Type has a specific Strategy that can be followed.
Manifestors: Inform before taking action. This reduces resistance and conflict, allows to use their initiating energy with great impact.
Generators: Respond to life. This ensures that they use their energy in satisfying and correct ways - establishes contentment.
Projectors: Wait for the invitation (and the recognition). This helps to display the natural talent for guiding others efficiently.
Reflectors: Wait a lunar cycle (28.5 Days). This ensures that they have the time to process their experiences before making major decisions, allowing them to gain clarity and perspective.
I recently gave an in-depth video lecture on the Projector which was very well received and recommended. If you want to start your transformation, this is a brilliant investment: https://lab64.gumroad.com/l/projector
Here’s a free snippet of the full lecture. Enjoy!
The Signature & Natural State
Signature is a unique state or sensation that indicates you are living in alignment with your true nature. It's like a positive feedback signal from life, showing you're on the right path. For each type, this signature is different.
The Signature of the Manifestor is Peace - being in a place of no resistance.
The Signature of the Generator is Satisfaction - being content in what they do.
The Signature of the Projector is Success - non-energy is no longer an issue.
The Signature of the Reflector is Surprise - this means to be in awe & wonder.
THE 9 CENTERS IN HUMAN DESIGN

In the graphic above you can see the Human Design Bodygraph with the nine different centers. These are like HUBS that guide and process energy - each with its own theme or quality. Understanding the centers is the first really useful task if you want to benefit from Human Design.
As already described, there are undefined (open) and defined centers. An open center will always be receptive and amplify the theme of the center (if it comes from outside and is identified with it). A defined center is constant and reliable.
Head Center - 70% Undefined
The Center of Mental Pressure to fuel the thinking process.
Theme: Inspiration.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Thinking about things that do not matter.
Ajna - 52% Undefined
The Center of Mental Awareness that enables self-reflection & thinking.
Theme: Conceptualization.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Pretending to be mentally certain.
Throat - 28% Undefined
The Center of Vocal Expression and Action.
Theme: Manifestation.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Trying to attract attention.
G Center - 43% Undefined
The Center of Self, Love and Direction.
Theme: Identity.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Looking for love, direction & identity.
Heart - 63% Undefined
The Center of Willpower & Seat of the Ego.
Theme: Material World.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Trying to prove one's own worth.
Sacral - 35% Undefined
The Center of Life Force & Availability.
Theme: Vitality.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Not knowing when enough is enough.
Spleen - 44% Undefined
The Center of Body Awareness for Survival.
Theme: Well-Being.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Holding on to things that aren’t good for oneself.
Solar Plexus Center - 47% Undefined
The Center of Emotional Awareness in Mutation (Waves).
Theme: Feelings/Emotions.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Avoiding confrontation and truth.
Root - 38% Undefined
The Center of Existential Pressure / Drive.
Theme: Stress.
Undefined Not-Self Strategy: Being in a hurry to get rid of pressure.
BONUS: THE HUMAN DESIGN SUBSTRUCTRE
Once we have grasped the surface of the Human Design Bodygraph, we see that there are clearly more aspects that have not yet been discussed. In the graphic above, you can see four aspects that can be extremely valuable for understanding your chart.
Variables
Those four aspects can be combined through the Tones and are called Variables - those are the 16 different Arrow configurations that can be displayed in a chart. Where a left looking arrow is always connected to the themes of active, focussed and strategic and the right looking arrow is always connected to themes of passive, peripher and receptive.
Digestion
Starting at the top left (red side) we see PHS Internal, or Dietary Regimen, which tells us how a person is best nourished. In other words, the substructure, color and tone can be used to determine firstly whether the brain is passive or active and secondly how the digestive system can best process the nutrients needed to properly nourish the brain. By the way, PHS is an abbreviation for Primary Health System which is a field of study in Human Design.
Environment
Below that, on the left (red) side, we find PHS External, or Environment, which tells us what environment (a specific quality of place or circumstance) needs to be present or correct to keep the body healthy. Ra Uru Hu says that this becomes especially important after the Saturn Return (around age 29). In other words, the color and tone tells us whether we are a passive body or an active body - whether we are the observer (relaxed) or the observed (in action). The correct environment is important for everyone and helps us to thrive in the best possible way.
Mental Motivation
On the top right-hand side we find RP Internal, or (mental) Motivation, which gives us information about how a person's mind is motivated to conceptualize. As with the other aspects, there are exactly 6 different modes, each of which has 2 different possibilities (active or passive). Here we can recognize whether a mind is strategic (active) or receptive (passive). Since the mind is never an inner authority, this is not about the motivation to do something, but about how the mind understands things - on what basis the mind thinks. This aspect is particularly important for people who have been experimenting for a long time and, according to Ra Uru Hu, is an essential tool for projectors. Incidentally, RP is an abbreviation for Rave Psychology, which is a field of study in human design.
Perspective/View
Below this, on the right-hand side, we find RP External, also known as perspective (view), which gives us information about how someone looks into or at the world. Every person has their own unique perspective on things and this aspect basically tells us whether someone is focused or peripheral in their view. Since the mind is coupled with the eyes, it is of course important to see correctly (as oneself). So we again have 6 different ways of looking at the world, each with 2 modes. A focused view tends to see what is in front of it but not what is in the periphery and a peripheral view is exactly the opposite.
If you want to learn more about the substructure and the respective aspects, I can recommend my Human Design Guide articles or the Crack Your Code Human Design foundational course.
Talis
bodygraph.io
Great Explaining and Illustrations!