There are 9 Energy Centers in Human Design, representing the energy that flows within us and makes us who we are. Their origin comes from the Hindu chakra system, which consists of 7 centers (chakras), all aligned to allow our Kundalini energy to ascend on the path to Samadhi.
In Human Design, the centers operate more practically with more defined functions. They are what determine our Energy Type and allow, through the activation of Gates at opposite poles, the formation of Channels that attribute characteristics to our personality.
Before the discovery of the planet Uranus in the 18th century, people only had 7 centers, just like the chakras. When we became 9-centered beings, a genetic mutation allowed the emergence of the G Center and the Spleen Center, along with a reorganization of the remaining centers.
The first thing that stands out when we look at our Human Design chart are the nine centers. Represented by geometric shapes, these nine centers can appear colored or white. If a center is colored, this means it is Defined. What makes a center Defined is the existence of a channel between it and another center (which also becomes Defined). Defined centers have consistent energy that is always being emitted. They are an integral part of who we are and show up in many areas of our lives.
On the other hand, if a center is white, it is Undefined or even Open, when there are no active Gates. These are the centers where we receive energy from the outside. This energy is not only absorbed but also amplified. Our Undefined centers represent the areas where we have the most potential to gain wisdom and grow in this life. However, they are also the centers that can cause us the most pain or distraction.
A good example of this is the Solar Plexus center. This center is represented by a triangle in the lower right part of the chart and is the center that governs emotions. Those with an Undefined Solar Plexus are often referred to in Human Design as Non-Emotional. This term couldn’t be further from the truth. In practice, people with an Undefined Solar Plexus are extremely empathetic and capable of feeling (and amplifying) the pain of everyone around them. This empathy can be a great source of wisdom if used consciously.
Each center has its own function and represents a specific theme. Its Gates always appear within that same area.
THE FIRST CENTER: THE CROWN
At the top of the head in the Human Design chart, we find an isosceles triangle. The Crown center represents the pineal gland in the brain. It is the center of inspiration that receives mental pressure to respond to all of life’s questions. Depending on the defined Gates in this center, the questions we seek to answer may be abstract, logical, or individual in nature.
Undefined Crown
Like all undefined centers, an Undefined Crown does not receive inspiration in a consistent way. Inspiration is not generated internally by the individual but is received from the outside and amplified. People with an Undefined Crown are easily inspired by the world around them, and for this reason, they may struggle to apply that inspiration in a practical way. The challenge for someone with this undefined center is to learn to choose which inspirations are truly worth pursuing and which are simply to be observed.
With an Undefined Crown, there’s a tendency to want to answer all of life’s questions. This tendency can be intensified because this is a pressure center. As constant inspiration is received, it becomes difficult to find clear answers to every question. Receiving so much external influence and pressure makes it harder to make decisions aligned with our Human Design. To avoid this, we should always follow our Strategy. After all, it is with our Strategy—not our head—that we are meant to make decisions.
Defined Crown
When the Crown is Defined, it appears colored yellow and we radiate inspiration into the world. Questions are constantly generated internally, and there’s a tendency for the person to feel uneasy if they don’t immediately find answers. For someone with a Defined Crown, it’s important to tolerate this ongoing process of self-questioning but not let it influence their decision-making.
THE SECOND CENTER: AJNA
The Ajna appears in our chart as an inverted triangle within the head. This is a center of awareness and symbolizes the pituitary gland. The function of this center is to conceptualize ideas and conduct research.
Undefined Ajna
People with an Undefined Ajna do not have a fixed way of thinking and are therefore able to process and absorb information in different ways and from various sources. As such, they are characterized by their fair, tolerant, and empathetic minds.
Because of their ability to receive information from such diverse sources, people with an Undefined Ajna may appear unstable in their opinions and be labeled as inconsistent. In reality, it is not easy for an Undefined Ajna to commit blindly to a specific belief system unless it has emerged with the guidance of one’s Strategy and Authority.
Defined Ajna
The Defined Ajna appears colored green and is designed to gather and store information. People with a Defined Ajna are quick to draw conclusions because they are able to use the vast amount of information they accumulate. No matter how abstract an idea is, those with a Defined Ajna can conceptualize it. Their ideas tend to be fixed, but it’s important to remember that, in Human Design, decisions should not be made with the mind. For a Defined Ajna, it is essential to remember to follow Strategy and Authority.
The THIRD CENTER: THROAT
This center appears on the chart as a square located in the neck area. The Throat is the center of communication. We all know that words have power and impact. That is exactly why this is our center of manifestation. In relation to our body, the Throat represents the thyroid.
Throat Undefined
People with an Undefined Throat feel a lot of external pressure to speak, and unfortunately what they say often comes out so bluntly that it’s rarely well received by others. However, not everything is negative for those with an Undefined Throat. Their ability to receive outside energy means many people with this undefined center have a great aptitude for singing, public speaking, learning foreign languages, or even acting.
With this Undefined center comes an innate ability to speak on behalf of others, which makes these individuals great advocates for causes.
The best advice for someone with an Undefined Throat is to stay quiet and use their Strategy before speaking. When someone with this undefined center speaks only when invited or in response to a question, they are not only able to express themselves well but also truly be heard.
Defined Throat
When this center is defined, it appears in the chart colored brown. Someone with a Defined Throat is born to speak, but the way they express themselves will vary depending on which other center is connected to the Throat. For example, someone whose Throat is connected to the Solar Plexus will have no trouble speaking about their feelings.
THE FOURTH CENTER: G
The G Center refers to the diamond-shaped figure located in the middle of the chest in the chart. This center is also known as the Identity Center. This is where our soul resides and where the magnetic monopole is found. It is the center of love and direction and one of the most important in the Human Design system. In the human body, the G Center represents the liver.
Undefined G Center
People with an undefined G Center are excellent at picking up on others’ ways of being and personal direction. They can absorb and amplify, and in doing so, reflect back to others who those people really are. When the G Center is undefined, people gain chameleon-like traits, making it relatively easy for them to fit into different groups. Due to their ability to mirror others, someone with this undefined center often makes a great psychologist or teacher.
Defined G Center
When the G Center is defined, we come into the world to give love. Our sense of direction is so strong that we know who we are and where we want to go. People with a defined G Center have deeply rooted ethical and moral values and tend to fully accept themselves without hesitation when expressing their true selves.
THE FIFTH CENTER: THE HEART
The Heart is the small triangle that appears slightly to the right of the diamond in the chart. This is the center associated with our heart, stomach, and gallbladder, and one of the four motor centers. The Heart is the motor responsible for material manifestation. In energetic terms, it’s the Heart that gives us the so-called willpower to keep moving forward even when everything seems difficult.
Undefined Heart
Individuals with an undefined Heart do not possess inherent willpower. These are the people who rarely finish what they start, such as diets, courses, or other long-term commitments that require sacrifice. This is not a flaw, especially since seven out of eight people have an Undefined Heart. For this reason, these individuals should only accept commitments that align with their Strategy and Authority, as that will always keep them in tune with their true self.
Because the Heart is associated with matters of value, people with this center undefined often undervalue themselves both professionally and personally. They tend to feel a constant need to prove their worth to others. Once again, Strategy and Authority provide the necessary wisdom to manage this. A wise Undefined Heart will easily determine where it’s worth investing and where it isn’t, without any feelings of guilt.
Defined Heart
Someone with a Defined Heart has consistent access to their willpower. It could be raining, they might be exhausted, but if someone with this defined center promised themselves or someone else they’d run 5 km that day, they will. Defined Hearts are trustworthy people who keep their promises. If, for some reason beyond their control, they can’t follow through, they will feel guilty. Therefore, it is important for individuals with a Defined Heart to know when it’s time to work and when it’s time to rest.
Their inexhaustible willpower is a source of inspiration for others who, when within their auric field, also seem to feel tireless.
THE SIXTH CENTER: THE SOLAR PLEXUS
The Solar Plexus is the motor center of emotions located in the chart at the lower right triangle. It corresponds to the kidneys and pancreas and is one of the most discussed centers in the Human Design system, as it represents what most unites (or separates) us as human beings.
Undefined Solar Plexus
People with an Undefined Solar Plexus come into the world to learn about emotional energy and gain wisdom about their feelings. They are very empathetic individuals, capable of absorbing and amplifying the emotions of others. This ability is, in fact, a gift. Who wouldn’t want to know how to read others’ emotions? However, for most people who don’t understand how the Undefined Solar Plexus works, this is very painful because they spend their lives experiencing emotions that are not theirs with deep intensity.
The solution is to become aware of which emotions truly belong to us and allow the Solar Plexus to function as a filter and not as a sponge.
Defined Solar Plexus
The Defined Solar Plexus appears in the chart colored brown and means that this person always carries a strong emotional energy. This energy is so powerful that a Defined Solar Plexus automatically grants this person Emotional Authority.
In these people, emotions move in waves that can have big or smaller peaks. For those with a Defined Solar Plexus, it is important that their emotions are validated by themselves and by others, both negative and positive. Being so subject to these waves of emotions, these people should wait for the wave to pass, or their moment of emotional clarity, before making any decisions.
The SEVENTH CENTER: THE ROOT
The Root is the square-shaped center located at the base of the chart and is a motor and pressure center. Pressure is, in fact, the theme of this center. If we think about it, the root is the origin of everything, but for it to emerge there has to be pressure. Even our birth comes with contraction movements.
Undefined Root
People with an Undefined Root suffer a lot of pressure. Not only pressure from the outside, since all undefined centers absorb and amplify what comes from outside, but also internal pressure. It may seem natural to want to do all the work and then rest, but people with an Undefined Root can hardly consider doing things differently and, therefore, have a hard time relaxing and recharging their batteries. The truth is there is always work to be done and the faster we do it, the more is given to us, creating a vicious cycle for those with an Undefined Root. Therefore, it is very important for these people to understand that the pressure comes from the center and is not “real.” It is just energy, and we do not have to act on it.
Defined Root
When the Root is Defined, the motto is simple: things get done when they get done. People with this defined center do not give in to pressure, preferring to work in cycles fueled by adrenaline. People with this defined center do not have problems with tight deadlines. In fact, they even prefer them because it gives them that driving pressure.
THE EIGHTH CENTER: THE SPLEEN
The Spleen, or Splenic Center, is the triangle on the left side of the Human Design chart. It is the center of intuition, sense of timing, and the lymphatic and immune system.
The type of intuition located in this center is based on our survival instincts and operates only on the “here and now.” Because the splenic center communicates with the survival function, these intuitive messages are often interpreted as fears. Fear plays an important role in our lives as it protects us from danger. Fortunately, since these instincts (or fears) operate only in the moment and may seem illogical to us, it is relatively easy to overcome them.
Undefined Spleen
People with an Undefined Spleen have a weaker immune system, making them more prone to illnesses and minor infections. Because they tend to feel weak, they are naturally drawn to people with this center defined in order to absorb their strength.
With an Undefined Spleen, access to intuition is inconsistent and can manifest in different ways: dreams, inner voice, premonitions, etc. This inconsistency leads many people with an Undefined Spleen to believe they lack intuition or that they should not trust it.
Because it is also the center of the sense of time, individuals with this undefined center have some difficulty doing things on time and as scheduled.
Defined Spleen
With a Defined Spleen, people have strong health. So strong that sometimes they don’t even notice they are sick until they already need treatment. Because of this tendency to ignore illness, it is advisable for individuals with the defined spleen center to pay attention when someone asks if they have been feeling well.
The intuition coming from this defined center is like a voice that speaks softly and only once. Most people with this defined center only learn to hear this voice around the age of 40.
Since this is the center of fears that guide us toward survival, those who have this defined center feel these fears very vividly. It is therefore important that they do not let themselves be paralyzed by them and understand that some fears exist to be overcome if their individual Strategy indicates so.
THE NINTH CENTER: THE SACRAL
The Sacral Center, or Sacral, is one of the most important centers in the Human Design system. It is the energetic center of life force and work and is associated with the reproductive organs. The Sacral Center is the most important and powerful motor center that holds great influence over us.
Undefined Sacral
People with an Undefined Sacral were not made to work eight hours from Monday to Friday. Although sometimes they may feel they have endless energy to work, it is limited to short periods of time. Someone with this undefined center does not know how to say “Enough!” which leads them to do more than they should because they absorb the sacral energy of others.
Because about 70% of the population has a defined Sacral, people with this undefined center are often called lazy and sleepy. In fact, sleeping is extremely important for the health of these people to recharge and revitalize their bodies.
Defined Sacral
The Defined Sacral appears as a red circle on the Human Design chart. Having this center defined immediately means that one is a Generator or a Manifesting Generator. The purpose of beings with a defined Sacral is to work, but that does not mean working a lot and well at anything. It has to be only in what ignites the inner flame of the Sacral.
This center, when defined, assumes a primary function in those who have it. It is an inner light that turns on and off depending on what appears before it and is an excellent compass to guide those who possess it.
However, the Sacral center was made to respond and not to initiate, which means there is a certain degree of passivity in a being designed to be working. The Sacral Center acts as a response to something, so individuals with this defined center need to learn to wait and respond only with the binary voice (Yes/No) of the Sacral.
The energy of a Defined Sacral is sustainable and meant to be burned out fully every day. Defined Sacrals sleep better when completely exhausted, unlike the Undefined ones.
The defined and undefined centers within us correspond to our uniqueness, but they are also an opportunity to perceive our collective aura. With more people around us, we absorb their energy and they absorb ours. All together, we have all centers defined and activate all channels. If all our centers were defined, we would stagnate and so our undefined centers are our space for growth, which is extremely dependent on where we are and who is around us, hence also being the space where we receive our conditioning. Strategy and Authority are the entities that regulate whether the external conditioning is good for us or not. Aligned with them, we can ensure that the external energies we receive in our undefined centers bring us closer to a life within our authentic Self.
