DETERMINING COMPATIBILITY USING HUMAN DESIGN
Discover how to create more harmony in your relationships by understanding Human Design. Learn how to read your individual chart and a connection chart to see how your unique design interacts with others. Use these insights to foster deeper connections, whether with your partner, family, or friends.
In this article, we cover the following:
How to look at your own Human Design chart for relationship insights
How to understand someone else's chart and see where your energies align or clash
What connection charts are and how to use them for deeper relationship insights
Key pieces to focus on in Human Design for compatibility
Practical tips to improve any relationship using Human Design
If you want to learn more about what Human Design is, read the article “What is Human Design?”
Understanding Your Individual Human Design Chart
Before diving into how two charts interact, it’s crucial to understand your own chart first. Your Human Design chart is like a blueprint of how you’re energetically wired to move through life. Knowing yourself deeply can help you show up more authentically in any relationship.
Key Elements to Focus On in Your Chart for Relationship Insights:
Energy Type and Strategy
Your Energy Type (Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, Reflector) and Strategy give you the basics on how you operate in the world and how you’re designed to interact with others. When you know these, you can better understand what you need from relationships and how you contribute to them.For example, if you’re a Projector, your Strategy is to wait for the invitation. In relationships, this means waiting to be invited to share your insights rather than jumping in. This can prevent bitterness (your not-self theme) and create more alignment and harmony in your life and relationships.
Authority
Your Authority tells you how to make decisions in a way that aligns with your energy. Understanding your Authority (like Emotional, Gut Feelings, Instinctual, etc.) can help you communicate your needs and boundaries clearly in relationships. It also shows how you might process decisions differently than someone else.For instance, someone with Voice It (Self Projected) Authority may need to talk things out before deciding. Knowing this can help you and your partner be more patient and supportive during decision-making.
Defined vs. Undefined Centers
Centers in your chart show where you have consistent energy (defined) and where you are more open to influence (undefined). Understanding your defined and undefined centers can help you see where you might be amplifying each other’s energy or where you need to set boundaries. This is key in recognizing patterns, like why you might feel emotionally overwhelmed (undefined solar plexus) around someone with a defined emotional (solar plexus) center.Profile
Your Profile is like your personality role in this life. It shows how you’re meant to learn, grow, and connect with others. For example, a 2/4 Profile (Hermit/Opportunist) might need a balance of alone time and social connection. Knowing your profile helps you understand your relationship needs and where you might complement or challenge someone else. There’s also Profiles that are more harmonious that others (see section below).
Understanding Someone Else’s Chart: What to Look For
Once you’ve got a good grasp on your own chart, it’s time to look at someone else’s. Understanding your partner’s, friend’s, or family member’s chart can help you see where your energies naturally align or might clash.
Compare Energy Types and Strategies
Are you both Generators who thrive on responding to life, or is one of you a Manifestor who needs freedom to initiate? Understanding these differences can prevent a lot of misunderstandings.For example, a Manifestor in a relationship with a Generator needs to remember to inform the Generator of their plans, while the Manifestor benefits from providing options for the Generator to respond to.
Look at Authorities
How do they make decisions? If you’re Sacral (Gut Feelings) and they’re Emotional, there might be moments where you need to be patient while they ride their emotional wave. Knowing this ahead of time allows for smoother communication and better decision-making dynamics.Check Defined and Undefined Centers
Compare where you each have defined and undefined centers. For example, if one of you has a defined root center while the other has an undefined root center. The person with the undefined root may be more susceptible to feeling pressured and stressed out by others. Awareness of these dynamics can lead to better understanding and support.Explore Profiles
Understanding each other’s profiles helps you see how you’re wired to interact. A 6/2 Profile might bring wisdom and need alone time, while a 3/5 Profile is all about experimentation and trial-and-error learning. Recognizing these dynamics can help you honor each other’s unique ways of being.
Understanding Connection Charts: How Two Charts Come Together
When two Human Design charts come together, we get a connection (or composite) chart. This chart shows how your energies combine and interact, revealing deeper insights into how you two click (or don’t). This is where things get really juicy!
What to Look for in a Connection Chart:
Connection Themes
A connection theme shows how tightly or loosely bonded two charts are by the number of defined centers in the connection chart. For example:9-0 Connection: All centers are defined, meaning the relationship feels very bonded but can also feel tight or restrictive if not managed well.
5-4 Connection: Only five centers are defined, and four are open, meaning there is more space for movement and growth, but the relationship may need more intentional time together to stay connected.
These themes help you see how much energy is circulating between you two and where you might need to bring in outside support or give each other more space.
Electromagnetic Channels
Electromagnetic channels are where one person has one gate, and the other has the corresponding gate to form a full channel. This creates magnetic chemistry between you two. It’s like an instant attraction or connection in those areas. These are powerful connections but can also be areas where you feel most vulnerable or triggered.Compromise and Dominance Channels
Compromise channels occur when one person has the full channel, and the other only has half. This can create a dynamic where one person feels like they’re always “giving in.” Recognizing this can help you navigate areas where you need to find more balance or understanding.Dominance channels happen when one person has the full channel, and the other has neither gate. This often shows up as one person’s energy dominating in that area of the relationship. Awareness is key here—embracing what each brings rather than trying to change it.
Defined and Undefined Centers Together
Just like in individual charts, defined and undefined centers play a big role in composite charts. A defined center in one person and an undefined center in the other can create a dynamic of stability vs. adaptability. Knowing this can help in setting healthy boundaries and understanding each other's needs.
Putting It All Together: How to Use Human Design to Enhance Your Relationships
Learn and Share About Each Other’s Charts on an Individual Level
Dive into your charts together! Share what resonates, what feels true, and where you see opportunities for growth. This awareness builds the foundation for a more aligned relationship.Embrace Each Other’s Unique Designs
Celebrate what makes each of you unique! Understand that your differences aren’t obstacles—they’re opportunities to learn, grow, and support each other more deeply.Communicate in Ways That Honor Your Design
Tailor your communication based on your designs. If one of you is a Projector, don’t just throw out advice—invite them to share their insights. If you’re with a Manifestor, make sure they’re informing you, and you’re not trying to control their flow.Reflect on Your Connection Chart
Use your connection chart to see how your relationship is evolving. Are there new areas of tension or flow? Where do you feel supported or challenged? This ongoing reflection keeps your relationship dynamic and growing.
Final Thoughts: Building More Aligned and Authentic Relationships with Human Design
Human Design isn’t about finding a perfect match; it’s about understanding the energetic blueprint of how you connect and grow with someone. It’s a tool for awareness, growth, and embracing each other's differences. When you use it to honor both your own design and your partner's, you create a relationship that’s truly aligned, supportive, and full of potential.
LEARNING MORE…
If you would like to learn more about your Human Design chart (or your partner’s) on an individual level, grab a comprehensive and beautifully designed guidebook explicitly tailored to your Human Design Chart. This guidebook will explain everything about your HD in depth. It will serve as a valuable resource for your self-exploration and personal growth, offering practical insights and strategies for living in alignment with your design.
If you’d like to learn how to read connection charts in-depth, we have a How to Read a Connection Chart mini course dedicated to this.
If you’d like the mini course, along with all of our courses, a community of HD enthusiasts, in-depth trainings, and access to Leah - Become a Human Design Reader by joining Human Design Mastery - our extensive and comprehensive Human Design training.
