HD101: The 5 Human Design Definition Types - Single, Split, Triple Split + Quadruple Split
PSSST! You can listen to the audio version of this on the podcast, too (above!)
Your definition – or your “split” type – basically refers to how many “teams” of energy centers you have in your Human Design chart.
There are 5 total Human Design definition types: single, split, triple split, quadruple split, and no split.
Yours tells you a lot about:
How you make decisions – specifically, how long it takes you to make decisions
How quickly/slowly you process information
What kind of people, energies, + auras you will be drawn to (and WHY!)
Human Design Definition meaning (what it actually is)
Definition basically tells you how the energy centers in your Human Design chart are grouped or connected to one another. So it’s really not about WHICH centers you have defined, it’s about how they’re connected.
The reason this matters is whenever two centers have a full line between them (a channel) colored in, they are defined AND have a consistent flow or exchange of energy between them – i.e., they have a consistent way of talking to each other.
A channel is wherever there is a fully colored-in line between two energy centers (it can be red, black, or a mix of both). Ex: Channel 27-50.
That means when one of them picks up on something, or creates energy, or gives you a little intuitive “ping,” any energy center connected to that is going to pretty immediately be on the same page.
On the other hand, if two centers are defined but not connected to one another, they both have their own wisdom but are not immediately directly communicating with one another. It’s kind of like they’re in the same company, but working for different departments. They usually need a little more time to coordinate.
That’s also why some of us can seem to take FOREVER to make a decision even if we’re “built” to be fast otherwise — like a manifesting generator with sacral authority or a projector with splenic authority.
Definition can also tell you where you seek out energetic themes in others (or if you don’t at all!) in order to create a consistent flow of energy within yourself.
I’m gonna say this a million times, but please know: THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE NOT WHOLE, or that you have to worry about “finding” people who “complete” your circuits.
We naturally are drawn to those situations/people. No need to worry!
What does MY definition mean?
No Split
If you have “no split,” you have no energy centers defined – meaning this is ONLY for reflectors. It’s the rarest definition, because reflectors are the rarest energy type (1% of the population).
There isn’t much to say about this definition, because most of what there is to know can be found in the description for reflectors (sorry, guys. I know you hear that a lot).
The key point here is these people need to allow themselves time to process and make decisions, because they do take on so much energy from the outside world, and need to be sure that their decision is coming from their own energy.
Single Definition (AKA “Single Split”)
Those of us with single definition have all of the defined centers in a chart connected together in one continuous circuit – meaning you have ONE TEAM talking to you.
We tend to process information very quickly, because each of the energy centers have a consistent way of “talking” to each other. Everyone is on the same team and can communicate, no problema.
Single definitions usually feel pretty complete on their own, prefer to work on their own + may need to be alone quite a bit. This is because we don’t have any breaks in our circuit, single definitions don’t need anyone else to create a continuous flow of energy between their centers - we’re self-contained, essentially.
Also, while plenty of single definitions want a partner (and can absolutely be in successful, loving relationships!) many of us feel perfectly fine being alone… possibly even for a long-ass time.
Split Definition
If you have split definition, there is a “break” in the connections between your energy centers — you have TWO TEAMS talking to you.
Because split definition folks don’t have a continuous flow of energy between all of their centers, they often feel like they are “missing” something. They’re not – they’re absolutely whole and complete humans on their own! – but they will be attracted to people who have the gates that, if this person had themselves, would make them a single definition.
When it comes to relationships (romantic or otherwise), they are often looking for their “other half” – their one person. Or, they are looking for someone to complement something they don’t have in themselves. Again, if you’re split definition, you are whole on your own. Just know that this is a common feeling for this definition!
People with split definition will also generally take a little bit longer than single definition people to make a decision, simply because not all of their centers have a consistent way of communicating energetically. It takes a bit for them to get on the same page.
Triple Split Definition
If you’re triple split, you have 3 different groupings of energy centers – you have 3 TEAMS talking to you.
Triple splits are fascinating, and it’s common for them to struggle to understand themselves… because it can feel like they’re really 3 different people!
They need to be around many different kinds of people to feel fulfilled. Like split definitions, triple splits are often attracted to people who can “complete” their chart, but because they have so many different places in their chart where their energy centers aren’t connected, they need different energies to complete the circuit. They will get bored and feel stagnant if they’re around the same energies all the time.
And here’s where shit gets REALLY interesting:
Rather than being attracted to people with opposite gates, they are attracted to people who have the opposite energy centers as them and would make them a fully-defined HD chart.
Quadruple Split Definition
If you’re triple split, you have 4 different groupings of energy centers – you have 4 TEAMS talking to you.
This is one of the rarest split types, because you need to have at least 8 of your 9 energy centers defined in order to have it. If you are quad split, it is very likely you’re a manifesting generator or at least a generator.
Because these people have so many defined centers, they need time and space alone to hear all of them talking to them + get on the same page with one another.
Quad splits are not people who came to this earth to be influenced by a lot of outside energy. Their job is simply to allow the wisdom of their centers to find THEM, which can take a little time.
Like split definitions, quad splits are also magnetized/attracted to/feel fulfilled by people who have opposing gates to them. Like triple splits, they have a lot of different places where their chart can feel completed by someone else’s energy, so it’s also understandable that they like to keep things fresh by being around lots of different energies to feel that completion.*
(*NOTE: For this reason, Ra Uru Hu did call quad splits “without a doubt, polygamists” – but that’s really a VERY simplified version of what’s going on here and IS NOT TRUE FOR ALL QUAD SPLITS. However many hos you want is your prerogative regardless of your design.)