The BodyGraph is at the heart of Human Design, the unique experimental system that combines elements of astrology, the Chinese I Ching, Kabbalah, and the chakra system to create a visual and interpretive map of the way our unique energies are designed to interact with the world.
Each BodyGraph chart represents an individual’s unique energetic blueprint, illuminating their personality traits, strengths, decision-making processes, and life challenges. The BodyGraph consists of geometric shapes (i.e., energy centers) and lines (i.e., gates and channels) that together reveal a person’s energetic dynamics and how they interact with the world.
Ra Uru Hu, the founder of Human Design, developed the Human Design BodyGraph. It is a tool for self-understanding and self-realization, offering insights that go beyond conventional personality typing. Rather than dictating a fixed path, the BodyGraph helps individuals live in alignment with their natural design.
This blog post will explore the origin of the BodyGraph, its key components, how this chart serves as a guide to understanding and navigating life’s complexities, and how/where you can generate a free BodyGraph.
Let There Be… And It Was So!
Ra Uru Hu, born Robert Allan Krakower, developed the BodyGraph after a profound mystical experience in 1987 on the island of Ibiza, Spain. Ra described a series of encounters with a voice or intelligence that imparted the foundational knowledge of human design.
Over the course of eight days, he received detailed information about the workings of human energy, consciousness, and interaction, which became the basis for the Human Design system. His initial downloads, as they were, are found in the book, The Human Design System, affectionately known among students as The Black Book (yes, there is a white book, too).
The vision he received from the Voice synthesized ancient systems with modern science, leading to the creation of the BodyGraph as a visual representation of human energy and life potential. Ra’s insights integrated elements of Eastern and Western mysticism and astrology, as well as (then unknown) principles of quantum physics like neutrinos, genetics, the chakra system, Kabbalah, and biochemistry, all of which contribute to the BodyGraph’s makeup.
By using the BodyGraph, Ra aimed to help people understand themselves more deeply, enabling them to navigate life in harmony with their natural energies. His approach emphasized self-love and authenticity, encouraging people to live as their true selves rather than conforming to external conditioning. Today, the body graph remains the cornerstone of human design, used by practitioners and enthusiasts worldwide as a guide for personal transformation and self-discovery.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ra’s encounter with the voice from the man himself, check out this video:
The Human Design BodyGraph Explained: Centers, Channels, and Gates
The body graph is composed of the primary components of centers, channels, and gates, each of which represents a distinct aspect of a person’s energy type and expression.
Centers
The chakra system inspires the nine centers in the BodyGraph, but they differ in function and number. The traditional chakra system lists seven centers, while the BodyGraph houses nine. Each center corresponds to a specific aspect of human experience, such as communication and manifestation, emotions, intuition, fears, identity, ego, and mental processing.
Centers can be defined (colored in) or undefined (white), with defined centers representing consistent energy patterns and undefined centers reflecting openness to external influences. The centers include the Head, Ajna, Throat, G Center, Heart, Solar Plexus, Sacral, Root, and Spleen.
Defined centers give a person a stable way of experiencing the qualities associated with that center, while undefined centers lead to a more adaptive or receptive experience.
Channels
Channels are the lines that connect the centers, and each channel represents a specific energetic pathway.
When a channel is complete (both ends connected), it defines the centers on either side and creates a consistent flow of energy between the two centers, influencing how the qualities of each center are expressed.
Complete channels are part of a person’s core traits and behaviors, making them crucial in defining individual characteristics. Channels are colored based on their definition, which can be red (design) or black (personality), and they add dimension to the BodyGraph by shaping how energy moves within a person.
Gates
Gates are the numbers located on the centers and represent specific qualities or talents. Each gate corresponds to a particular hexagram of the Rave I Ching (which is different than the traditional Chinese I Ching), with its own symbolism and meaning.
Gates add nuance to the energy of a center, influencing how it is expressed based on the activation of specific gates. When two gates at either end of a channel are activated, they create a defined channel, leading to a more pronounced influence in that person’s life.
Gates can also be either defined (colored) or undefined, and they reflect aspects of personality and potential areas for growth or self-understanding.
Together, these components create a map of one’s energetic makeup, highlighting both consistent traits and areas of adaptability. The BodyGraph serves as a guide for understanding how to live in alignment with one’s human design.
If you’re curious about getting a little deeper into your BodyGraph, Human Design: Discover the Person You Were Born to Be by Chetan Parkyn is a great, easy-to-understand place to start.
The Red and Black Sides of the BodyGraph: Design and Personality
The BodyGraph has two primary sides: the red (design) side and the black (personality) side, each of which corresponds to different aspects of one’s being and development. These two sides represent both conscious and unconscious influences on a person’s life, which are derived from two different astrological times.
Red Side (Design)
The red side of the BodyGraph represents the “design” or unconscious aspect of a person.
It is calculated based on the position of the planets approximately 88 days before birth, a time associated with the formation of the fetus’s fundamental personality traits and physical form.
The red side governs unconscious traits and influences that a person may not be fully aware of yet still impact their behaviors and tendencies. The red gates and channels in the BodyGraph show qualities that others may notice about us, even if we do not see them ourselves.
Black Side (Personality)
The black side represents the “personality” or conscious part of an individual.
It is calculated based on the person’s exact birth time and corresponds to aspects of ourselves that we consciously identify with.
These are the traits we recognize in our own personalities, including preferences, strengths, and self-image. The black gates and channels represent qualities and characteristics that a person is likely to be aware of and that shape their conscious experience.
Each number within the gates on both the red and black sides corresponds to a planetary influence from the time of birth (black) or 88 days prior (red).
These planetary positions hold astrological significance, similar to a natal chart in traditional astrology, and help define how the energies of the centers, gates, and channels manifest. The combination of red and black influences provides a holistic view of a person’s conscious and unconscious selves, integrating both visible and hidden aspects of their personality into a unified design.
Where to Generate a BodyGraph for Free
For those interested in exploring their own body graph, several resources provide free human design chart generation.
Here are a few popular options:
- Jovian Archive: The official site of Human Design, Jovian Archive, offers free BodyGraph chart generation. Users simply enter their birth information to access their chart and receive introductory explanations of their type, authority, and profile.
- My BodyGraph : Created by Jovian Archive, MyBodyGraph.com allows users to create a free account and access their chart along with insights on centers, gates, and channels. It also includes an interactive feature for exploring different elements of the chart.
- Genetic Matrix: This site offers free BodyGraph chart generation and provides unique tools, such as interactive overlays for understanding different aspects of the design.
- My Human Design by Jenna Zoe: Jenna Zoe’s site provides a simplified chart with easy-to-understand explanations. It’s particularly accessible for those new to Human Design.
Conclusion: Embracing the Power of the BodyGraph in Human Design
The BodyGraph is a powerful tool for self-understanding. It is a detailed map of an individual’s unique energy flow and potential.
By combining elements from various mystical and scientific systems, Human Design provides a comprehensive framework for understanding both conscious and unconscious influences on our lives. The BodyGraph reveals how energy moves within us, how we connect with others, and how we can live in alignment with our natural traits.
Whether you’re a newbie to HD or a more seasoned student, the BodyGraph provides a continually evolving resource for self-discovery. Evolving because there’s always something new to learn about the expression of your energy, not because your BodyGraph changes.
As you learn more about your gates, channels, and centers, you will gain insight into your personality and behavior patterns and the ability to navigate life with greater clarity and authenticity.
As the BodyGraph and Human Design continue to gain more mainstream recognition, they will stand as a testament to the power of self-awareness and the potential for a more aligned, fulfilling life.