Definition in human design denotes what is reliable and consistent within us. It impacts how we we function internally, as well as how we interact with the world around us. You can see definition in a human design bodygraph by looking at what is colored in and what is not.
Definition occurs at the level of gates, channels, centers, and the overall bodygraph.
Gates and channels are either defined (colored in) or undefined (not colored in).
Centers are either defined (colored in), undefined (not colored in but with one or more gates defined (colored in), or completely open (not colored in and no gates defined either).
When a gate, channel or center is defined, we have consistent access to the energies and traits of that gate/channel/center. We transmit energy through that element and energetically influence those around us with it.
When a gate, channel or center is undefined (or open), we do not have consistent access to the traits and energy associated with that element. Instead we take in energy from our surroundings, whether that’s another person (within 2 metres of us), or from the transits themselves, which change regularly. When we take energy in from an external source we amplify it. If we have a center that’s completely open (no gates defined within it) we simply take in that energy (when available), integrate it and amplify it back out into the world. When you have an undefined center, where the center itself is not consistently defined but we have a defined gate or gates within it, we take in that external energy when available and we filter it through our own gate/s as we amplify it, meaning we add our own flavour to it before pumping it out into the world.
On top of all of this, definition is also defined at the level of the bodygraph.
Bodygraph Definition
On top of all of this, definition is also defined at the level of the bodygraph.
- Single Definition human design
- Split Definition human design (Simple or Wide)
- Triple Split Definition human design
- Quadruple Split Definition human design
- No Definition human design (Reflector)
At the level of the bodygraph, definition refers to whether the energy flows in one continuous loop around the bodygraph, or whether it is split into two or more separate loops of energy.
How it flows has implications for how internally whole a person feels, how they show up around different people and influences, and whether they tend to internalise or externalise blame when things are not going as they would like.
Definition at the level of the bodygraph is explained further below.
Single Definition Human Design
When you have single definition, all the Defined Centers in your bodygraph are connected together via one single loop or pathway of energy.
People with single definition tend to feel quite self contained. They are less likely to feel that they “need” others, than those with split definition may, though of course they still benefit from interactions withn others. When you have single definition in human design, your greatest source of conditioning operates at a center level (ie. You can look to your undefined/open centers to figure out where you’re most susceptible to falling into your not-self).
Split Definition Human Design
When you have Split Definition in human design, there are two separate loops of energy or pathways joining defined centers in your bodygraph. Some of your defined centers are not connected up with other defined centers in your chart. When you’re in the presence of certain individuals, their definition will light up connecting gates and pathways in your own chart enabling your two loops of energy to join up. When your loops of energy are functioning separately you may feel like there are two different sides or parts of yourself that don’t necessarily work together or support each other. When you’re in the presence of someone who joins these up for you, you may feel more whole and you may operate more coherently.
The implication of this is that if you’re feeling torn about an issue, it can be helpful to go to a place where you’ll surrounded by others as you’ll increase the chances that your loops become joined up and you may gain new insights and perspectives.
When one has Split Definition, it can further be explained as either “Simple Split Definition” or “Wide Split Definition”. Whether you have simple split definition or wide split definition has an impact on your perspective of the world and how your conditioning is most likely to play out.
In order to figure out whether you have simple or wide split definition, we need to look deeper at the pathway/s between your loops of energy.
Have a look at your bodygraph — The numbers inside each center each represent a different Gate. Gates are also illustrated via the lines that come off the center (right near the Gates number).
You will notice, as mentioned further above, that these lines are either defined (colored in), or undefined (not colored in).
With those that are colored in, they might be black (consciously defined), red (unconsciously defined) or both black and red (both consciously and unconsciously defined). The colors are not important for us right now.
The other important thing to note is that when two defined gates join up, they form a channel. A channel runs the full distance between two centers, whereas when there is just one gate defined (half the channel), it is called a Hanging Gate. The gate on the other side of the channel that is undefined, is known as a bridging gate.
These concepts are illustrated below.
Simple Split Definition — You have Simple Split Definition when the shortest pathway between the two loops of energy in your chart is the distance of just one bridging gate. With Simple Split Definition, your conditioning tends to take the form of “I should do x”. “I’m at fault because of x” (flavoured with whatever gate you’re dealing with)/
Wide Split Definition — If the shortest pathway between your two loops of energy takes more than one bridging gate, then you have wide split definition. With Wide Split Definition, your conditioning tends to take the form of “they should do x”, “they’re at fault because of x”, “I’d feel better if only they’d x” (flavoured with whatever gate we’re dealing with).
The Illustrations below show these different situations.
With Split Definition your greatest susceptibilty to conditioning lies not in your open/undefined centers but in the split/s between your loops of energy.
Triple Split Definition Human Design
Triple Split Definition Human Design– There are three separate loops of energy or pathways joining defined centers in your bodygraph. Some of your defined centers are not connected up with other defined centers in your chart. You may experience three different parts or sides of yourself that tend to come out around different people and influences. You likely feel an innate tendancy to be around others, as other people complete your energy loops, helping you to feel whole. With Triple Split Definition your greatest vulnerability to conditioning lies within your centers, not your splits. If you feel like different parts of yourself are vying for domination, or you’re seeking answers that are eluding you, try visitng a croweded place like a market or a library or a cafe — The conditions that others designs bring to your own, may help you to find what you’re looking for.
Quadruple Split Definition Human Design
With Quadruple Split Definition in Human Design, you have four separate loops of energy or pathways joining defined centers in your bodygraph. Some of your defined centers are not connected up with other defined centers in your chart. As someone with quadruple split definition you have huge definition in your chart and you’re here to influence rather than be influenced, by others. That said — other people help your own design to connect up it’s separately operating loops providing you with a greater sence of internal connectedness and facilitating your own decision making/problem solving processes/. (Note, it’s very normal for your mental reasoning to take some time as you’re processingn from multiple perspectives!). You think you can go it alone but you actually really benefit from being around others.
Your greatest source of potential conditioning with quadruple split definition is in your bridging gates (the splits between your loops of energy).
Want to dive deep into the details of your own definition and human design chart?
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