Human Design: types, authorities, centers, profiles

What it is. Human Design is a symbolic interpretation system built from planetary positions at birth and again when the Sun was 88 degrees of solar arc before its birth position, mapped through the I Ching's 64 gates onto a body-graph of nine centers.

The parts. Your TYPE (Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, Manifestor, Reflector) sets a suggested STRATEGY for engaging with life. AUTHORITY names the decision-making cue the system recommends noticing. A CENTER is defined when a complete CHANNEL connects it to another center; the system interprets this as a steadier pattern. An open center has no complete defining channel and is interpreted as more variable or responsive to context. GATES are the 64 themes; an active gate can sit in an open center. Your PROFILE is two lines interpreted as a symbolic role.

How to read it. Start with type, strategy and authority, then check each center's actual state before considering its interpretation. Read their symbolic relationships in the context the person actually supplied. A decision-making cue is fallible: bring in context and evidence, and leave room to pause or revise.

The five types

Your type is the top-level label for how your energy works, and it sets your strategy — the way you're built to meet life so that things go right. Around 70% of people are Generators or Manifesting Generators.

Generatorstrategy: respond: Built to respond, not initiate — a defined Sacral gives sustainable energy for what genuinely lights you up; forcing it burns you out.
Manifesting Generatorstrategy: respond, then inform: A Generator with a motor to the Throat — fast, multi-track, skips steps; respond first, tell people before you move, and you're unstoppable.
Projectorstrategy: wait for the invitation: Built to guide, not to do — sees others clearly, runs on borrowed energy; recognized and invited, brilliant; uninvited, bitter.
Manifestorstrategy: inform, then act: Built to initiate — starts things and leaves; works best when you tell people what you're about to do so they don't resist it.
Reflectorstrategy: wait a lunar cycle: All nine centers open — mirrors the people and places around you; decide over a full month, and choose your environment carefully.

The authorities

Human Design assigns an authority from the chart's center configuration, using a fixed order of priority. It suggests a decision-making practice to explore. Its cues are fallible and remain open to context, evidence and revision.

Emotional authoritySolar Plexus: Allow feelings to settle across the emotional wave before deciding; no fixed number of hours or days follows from this chart. Clarity is a fallible cue considered alongside circumstances.
Sacral authority: In Human Design, Sacral authority attends to an immediate bodily yes/no response. Notice that response, then weigh it against context and evidence; you can pause or revise.
Splenic authoritySpleen: A quiet, instant, once-only intuition — a whisper in the moment. If you missed it, it doesn't repeat.
Ego authorityHeart / Will: What do I want? Decide from will and desire, and only commit where your heart is actually in it.
Self-projected authorityG / Self: Hear yourself talk it out — the truth is in your own voice when you speak to people you trust.
Mental authorityEnvironmental / Outer: No inner authority — talk it through with the right people in the right environment; the answer surfaces in the discussion.
Lunar authorityReflectors: Wait a full lunar cycle (about 29 days) before a big decision, and watch how the answer changes over the month.

The nine centers

The body-graph has nine centers. A defined center is connected by a complete channel; an undefined center (called open in the engine records) has no complete defining channel. Completely open means undefined with no active gates; an undefined center can still have active gates. Human Design traditionally associates definition with a steadier pattern and openness with greater variability. These are symbolic interpretations to compare with experience; use the description for the state actually recorded in the chart.

Headpressure center: Inspiration, questions and mental pressure.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Head as a steadier source of questions and inspiration. Which questions matter still depends on context. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Head as more responsive to surrounding questions and pressures. Consider whether a question is yours to pursue.
Ajnaawareness center: Concepts, opinions and making sense of information.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Ajna as a steadier way of conceptualizing. Consistency leaves room to reconsider an opinion. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Ajna as flexible in how it conceptualizes. Pressure to sound certain is a possibility to examine.
Throatexpression center: Communication and expression through words or action.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Throat as a steadier pattern of expression. Its meaning also depends on the channels connected to it. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Throat as variable in expression across settings. Notice how context affects the wish to speak or be heard.
Self (G)G center · identity: Identity, direction and love.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Self center as a steadier theme of identity and direction. Treat that as a lens to compare with experience. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Self center as responsive to people and places. Explore how different settings affect your sense of direction.
Heart (Ego / Will)motor center: Willpower, worth and commitments.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Heart as a steadier pattern of will and commitment. Capacity still needs to be checked in each situation. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Heart as variable in willpower, with a possible sensitivity around proving worth. Explore whether that description fits before applying it.
Solar Plexusemotional center · motor: Emotional experience, feeling and mood.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Solar Plexus as a recurring emotional wave and assigns Emotional authority. Feelings remain fallible cues to consider over time. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Solar Plexus as more responsive to the emotional atmosphere. Consider whether this describes an experience you recognize.
Sacralmotor center · life force: Life-force energy, work and bodily response within Human Design.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Sacral as a steadier capacity for response and engagement. This does not guarantee unlimited energy or a correct decision-making signal. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Sacral as variable in sustained engagement. Experiment with pacing and rest according to your actual capacity.
Spleenawareness center · survival: Instinct, fear and awareness of the immediate moment.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Spleen as a steadier pattern of instinctive awareness. An intuitive impression remains open to checking and revision. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Spleen as sensitive to changing fears and instincts. Patterns of holding on are a hypothesis to examine, rather than assume.
Rootpressure center · motor: Drive, stress and pressure to act.If defined: Human Design traditionally reads a defined Root as a steadier pattern of pressure and drive. The chart alone cannot establish how well someone handles stress. If open: Human Design traditionally reads an open Root as responsive to surrounding pressure. Notice whether urgency changes with the setting before interpreting it as your own priority.

Definition

Definition describes how defined centers connect through complete channels: one connected group, multiple disconnected groups, or none. It is a chart-structure label, and makes no claim about anyone's personal wholeness or need for relationships.

Single Definition: All defined centers form one connected group. Open centers may still contain active gates; this label does not establish how someone processes experiences or relates to others.
Split Definition: Defined centers form two disconnected groups. Listed bridge gates are gates absent from this person's active gates: possible additional activations that could join those groups through additional complete channels. The split describes channel connections in a chart, not an incomplete person or a need for another person to feel whole.
Triple Split Definition: Defined centers form three disconnected groups. Human Design may interpret this symbolically, but the number of groups alone cannot establish social preferences or processing speed.
Quadruple Split Definition: Defined centers form four disconnected groups. This describes the chart's connections; it does not establish decision-making speed or dependence on particular people.
No Definition: No centers are connected by complete channels — the Reflector configuration. Active gates can still be present; the label does not establish that someone is entirely shaped by other people.

The twelve profiles

Your profile is two lines, 1 to 6: the first from your conscious Sun (how you see yourself), the second from your design Sun (how others see you). The six lines: 1 Investigator, 2 Hermit, 3 Martyr (trial and error), 4 Opportunist (networker), 5 Heretic (the projected-upon fixer), 6 Role Model.

1/3Investigator / Martyr: Needs a foundation, learns by trial and error — studies first, then finds out what's wrong by bumping into it.
1/4Investigator / Opportunist: Studies deeply, shares through the network — authority comes from what you know, reach from who you know.
2/4Hermit / Opportunist: Natural talent that needs calling out — wants to be left alone, gets pulled into things by friends.
2/5Hermit / Heretic: A private person others project onto — pulled out to fix things, then wants to disappear again.
3/5Martyr / Heretic: Learns by breaking it, then gets asked to fix it — resilient, practical, more experienced than anyone wanted to be.
3/6Martyr / Role Model: A trial-and-error youth turns into wisdom after 50 — three life phases, the middle one on the roof, watching.
4/6Opportunist / Role Model: Relationships are the path — influence through the network, and an example to others later in life.
4/1Opportunist / Investigator: The one fixed profile — a foundation of knowledge carried through a fixed network; hard to move, and doesn't need to be.
5/1Heretic / Investigator: The practical fixer people project their hopes onto — investigates first so the solution actually holds; watch the projections.
5/2Heretic / Hermit: Projected onto and reluctant — called out of privacy to solve something, wary of being cast as the saviour.
6/2Role Model / Hermit: Private, natural, and watched — an example to others whether or not you asked; three life phases.
6/3Role Model / Martyr: Wisdom earned by trial and error, then embodied — the experimenter who becomes the elder.

The 64 gates

The 64-gate themes switched on in your chart by a planet at birth or at design.

Gate 1Self-Expression · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Self-Expression, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 2Direction of the Self · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Direction of the Self, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 3Ordering · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Ordering, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 4Formulization · Ajna: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Formulization, sitting in the Ajna center.
Gate 5Fixed Rhythms · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Fixed Rhythms, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 6Friction · Solar Plexus: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Friction, sitting in the Solar Plexus center.
Gate 7The Role of the Self · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Role of the Self, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 8Contribution · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Contribution, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 9Focus · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Focus, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 10Behavior of the Self · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Behavior of the Self, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 11Ideas · Ajna: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Ideas, sitting in the Ajna center.
Gate 12Caution · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Caution, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 13The Listener · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Listener, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 14Power Skills · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Power Skills, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 15Extremes · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Extremes, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 16Skills · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Skills, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 17Opinions · Ajna: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Opinions, sitting in the Ajna center.
Gate 18Correction · Spleen: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Correction, sitting in the Spleen center.
Gate 19Wanting · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Wanting, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 20The Now · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Now, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 21The Hunter/Huntress · Heart: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Hunter/Huntress, sitting in the Heart center.
Gate 22Openness · Solar Plexus: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Openness, sitting in the Solar Plexus center.
Gate 23Assimilation · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Assimilation, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 24Rationalization · Ajna: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Rationalization, sitting in the Ajna center.
Gate 25Spirit of the Self · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Spirit of the Self, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 26The Egoist · Heart: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Egoist, sitting in the Heart center.
Gate 27Caring · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Caring, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 28The Game Player · Spleen: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Game Player, sitting in the Spleen center.
Gate 29Saying Yes · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Saying Yes, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 30Feelings · Solar Plexus: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Feelings, sitting in the Solar Plexus center.
Gate 31Influence · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Influence, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 32Continuity · Spleen: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Continuity, sitting in the Spleen center.
Gate 33Privacy · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Privacy, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 34Power · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Power, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 35Change · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Change, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 36Crisis · Solar Plexus: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Crisis, sitting in the Solar Plexus center.
Gate 37Friendship · Solar Plexus: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Friendship, sitting in the Solar Plexus center.
Gate 38The Fighter · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Fighter, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 39Provocation · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Provocation, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 40Aloneness · Heart: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Aloneness, sitting in the Heart center.
Gate 41Contraction · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Contraction, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 42Growth · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Growth, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 43Insight · Ajna: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Insight, sitting in the Ajna center.
Gate 44Alertness · Spleen: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Alertness, sitting in the Spleen center.
Gate 45The Gatherer · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of The Gatherer, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 46Determination of the Self · Self: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Determination of the Self, sitting in the Self center.
Gate 47Realization · Ajna: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Realization, sitting in the Ajna center.
Gate 48Depth · Spleen: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Depth, sitting in the Spleen center.
Gate 49Principles · Solar Plexus: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Principles, sitting in the Solar Plexus center.
Gate 50Values · Spleen: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Values, sitting in the Spleen center.
Gate 51Shock · Heart: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Shock, sitting in the Heart center.
Gate 52Stillness · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Stillness, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 53Beginnings · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Beginnings, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 54Ambition · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Ambition, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 55Spirit · Solar Plexus: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Spirit, sitting in the Solar Plexus center.
Gate 56Stimulation · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Stimulation, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 57Intuitive Clarity · Spleen: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Intuitive Clarity, sitting in the Spleen center.
Gate 58Vitality · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Vitality, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 59Intimacy · Sacral: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Intimacy, sitting in the Sacral center.
Gate 60Acceptance · Root: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Acceptance, sitting in the Root center.
Gate 61Inner Truth · Head: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Inner Truth, sitting in the Head center.
Gate 62Details · Throat: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Details, sitting in the Throat center.
Gate 63Doubt · Head: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Doubt, sitting in the Head center.
Gate 64Confusion · Head: One of the 64 I Ching gates — the theme of Confusion, sitting in the Head center.

The 36 channels

Two gates joined across two centers — a fixed life force that defines both centers.

Channel 1-8The Channel of Inspiration: Gates 1 and 8 joined — a defined life force: Inspiration.
Channel 2-14The Channel of The Beat: Gates 2 and 14 joined — a defined life force: The Beat.
Channel 3-60The Channel of Mutation: Gates 3 and 60 joined — a defined life force: Mutation.
Channel 4-63The Channel of Logic: Gates 4 and 63 joined — a defined life force: Logic.
Channel 5-15The Channel of Rhythm: Gates 5 and 15 joined — a defined life force: Rhythm.
Channel 6-59The Channel of Intimacy: Gates 6 and 59 joined — a defined life force: Intimacy.
Channel 7-31The Channel of The Alpha: Gates 7 and 31 joined — a defined life force: The Alpha.
Channel 9-52The Channel of Concentration: Gates 9 and 52 joined — a defined life force: Concentration.
Channel 10-20The Channel of Awakening: Gates 10 and 20 joined — a defined life force: Awakening.
Channel 10-34The Channel of Exploration: Gates 10 and 34 joined — a defined life force: Exploration.
Channel 10-57The Channel of Perfected Form: Gates 10 and 57 joined — a defined life force: Perfected Form.
Channel 11-56The Channel of Curiosity: Gates 11 and 56 joined — a defined life force: Curiosity.
Channel 12-22The Channel of Openness: Gates 12 and 22 joined — a defined life force: Openness.
Channel 13-33The Channel of The Prodigal: Gates 13 and 33 joined — a defined life force: The Prodigal.
Channel 16-48The Channel of The Wavelength: Gates 16 and 48 joined — a defined life force: The Wavelength.
Channel 17-62The Channel of Acceptance: Gates 17 and 62 joined — a defined life force: Acceptance.
Channel 18-58The Channel of Judgment: Gates 18 and 58 joined — a defined life force: Judgment.
Channel 19-49The Channel of Synthesis: Gates 19 and 49 joined — a defined life force: Synthesis.
Channel 20-34The Channel of Charisma: Gates 20 and 34 joined — a defined life force: Charisma.
Channel 20-57The Channel of The Brainwave: Gates 20 and 57 joined — a defined life force: The Brainwave.
Channel 21-45The Channel of The Money Line: Gates 21 and 45 joined — a defined life force: The Money Line.
Channel 23-43The Channel of Structuring: Gates 23 and 43 joined — a defined life force: Structuring.
Channel 24-61The Channel of Awareness: Gates 24 and 61 joined — a defined life force: Awareness.
Channel 25-51The Channel of Initiation: Gates 25 and 51 joined — a defined life force: Initiation.
Channel 26-44The Channel of Surrender: Gates 26 and 44 joined — a defined life force: Surrender.
Channel 27-50The Channel of Preservation: Gates 27 and 50 joined — a defined life force: Preservation.
Channel 28-38The Channel of Struggle: Gates 28 and 38 joined — a defined life force: Struggle.
Channel 29-46The Channel of Discovery: Gates 29 and 46 joined — a defined life force: Discovery.
Channel 30-41The Channel of Recognition: Gates 30 and 41 joined — a defined life force: Recognition.
Channel 32-54The Channel of Transformation: Gates 32 and 54 joined — a defined life force: Transformation.
Channel 34-57The Channel of Power: Gates 34 and 57 joined — a defined life force: Power.
Channel 35-36The Channel of Transitoriness: Gates 35 and 36 joined — a defined life force: Transitoriness.
Channel 37-40The Channel of Community: Gates 37 and 40 joined — a defined life force: Community.
Channel 39-55The Channel of Emoting: Gates 39 and 55 joined — a defined life force: Emoting.
Channel 42-53The Channel of Maturation: Gates 42 and 53 joined — a defined life force: Maturation.
Channel 47-64The Channel of Abstraction: Gates 47 and 64 joined — a defined life force: Abstraction.

The 64 gates and 36 channels are named in your data tables, gate by gate, with the center each sits in and whether it's wired into a full channel.