Guide to the 12 Profiles in Human Design & Role of the 6 Profile Lines

Learn about the role of the 6 profile lines in Human Design, and how they work together within the context of each of the 12 Human Design profiles.

The Significance of Human Design Profiles

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There are two important areas within the Human Design system which the above components fit into, one is our characteristics, and the other is our role.

Our characteristics are derived from our type, our open centers (our white centers, or undefined centers), our inner authority and our strategy.

Our role is determined by our profile, and that’s what we’ll be looking at in more detail below.

What Are Profiles in Human Design?

Each of the 12 possible profiles is made up of two of the six profile lines. These profile lines correlate with the I Ching hexagram, and denote your profile depending on how they are combined, which is taken from your BodyGraph.

Your profile must also be considered in relation to your type, because its energy is expressed accordingly and determines how we behave as unique beings.

Each line flavours the other, so each combination very much has its own character.

Your profile must also be considered in relation to your type, because its energy is expressed accordingly and determines how we behave as unique beings. For example, a 2/4 Projector will experience and manifest in different ways to a 2/4 Manifesting Generator.

Where Can I Find My Human Design Profile?

The calculation for your own profile is based on the same birth information data used to create your BodyGraph. 

Your profile is the position of your two binaries: the personality sun / earth planets, and the design sun / earth planets. Since the sun and the earth are opposite each other, they always activate the same line in opposite hexagrams, for both your personality and your design.

Your personality line represents your conscious characteristics, and this is always the first number we read.

If you’ve already created your Human Design chart then you’ll be able to refer to that to easily locate your profile, simply by looking at your conscious and unconscious sun in the list of planets (top line).

The black numbers on the right of your BodyGraph are your personality line, and correspond to the position of each planet at the date and time of your actual birth.

Your personality line represents your conscious personality attributes, and this is always the first number we read to identify an individual’s profile.

The red numbers on the left are your design line (representing the physical body and also known as body line), corresponding to the position of each planet 88 days prior to the moment of your birth. 

Your design line represents your unconscious traits which you may not easily recognise in yourself, but others will see in you and it may be your natural path in life.

To find your profile, take the second number (after the decimal) from the position of your personality sun (top line in black), followed by the second number at the top of the design line (in red); these numbers denote your profile.

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Unlike the free reports typically available online, the offering from Supernatural Coaching is a 120+ page comprehensive deep-dive into your unique Design and type, also covering profiles and themes and providing a quick reference guide and workbook.

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Structure of the Hexagram

Human Design is influenced by various other philosophies, one being the I Ching, and the 6 profile lines of the hexagram are where we see this.

The hexagram is made up of six lines, broken (yin), or solid (yang). These lines are always read from the bottom to the top, and they’re separated into what we call trigrams, with the bottom three lines forming the lower trigram, and the top three forming the upper trigram. 

The lower trigram being related to intrapersonal energy themes experienced by the self, and the upper being concerned with transpersonal energy themes, experienced in the context of relationships with other people.

If you think of the hexagram as a two-storey house, it will help you to visualise its structure.

Note that the trigram’s energies are mirrored, creating a harmony between the 1st line and the 4th line, the second and fifth lines, and the 3rd line and the 6th line.

If you think of the hexagram as a two-storey house, it will help you to visualise the structure and importance of each line.

The ground floor is the lower trigram, and the upstairs is the upper trigram.

The first line of the hexagram forms its foundation and relates to introspection.

The 1st line is the foundation for the house, but the fourth line is also a foundation, for the upper level. This similarity creates a harmony between the 1st and 4th lines.

The same is true of the second line and the 5th; interestingly both of these lines deal with the theme of projection, and this makes sense in our analogy because each of these lines represent the space in the house where there would be a window, where you are visible and vulnerable.

Finally, the 3rd line and the 6th line also have a harmony. The third line completes the lower trigram, and the sixth line completes the upper trigram and the entire hexagram.

When it comes to understanding the profile lines within the context of reading a design, the first line is a very important aspect of the hexagram, because it forms the foundation. It relates to introspection, and the need to look within.

The fundamental characteristics of each of the six lines can influence our true nature and behavior patterns.

What Are the 12 Profiles in Human Design?

The 12 profiles are made up of two lines, with each singular line having its own unique energy type, but also forms new energy when combined with another profile line.

The different possible combinations and their approximate prevalence across all types are as follows:

• 1/3 Investigator Martyr, 14%
• 1/4 Investigator Opportunist, 2%
• 2/4 Hermit Opportunist, 13%
• 2/5 Hermit Heretic, 2%
• 3/5 Martyr Heretic, 13%
• 3/6 Martyr Role Model, 2%
• 4/1 Opportunist Investigator, 13%
• 4/6 Opportunist Role Model, 13%
• 5/1 Heretic Investigator, 13%
• 5/2 Heretic Hermit, 1%
• 6/2 Role Model Hermit, 13%
• 6/3 Role Model Martyr, 1%

The 6 Profile Lines in Human Design

Before we can move on to looking in more depth at the energetic theme of the 12 different profiles, it’s important to first understand how the fundamental characteristics of each of the six lines can influence our true nature and behavior patterns.

Below you’ll find the six profile lines, with a short description, followed by more detailed information about each one.

Line 1: The Investigator

Researches and scrutinises things closely; needs to have a deep understanding of the world in order to feel secure.

Represents the foundation of the house.

Deeply curious, the Investigator has a thirst for information and often has a good foundational knowledge of many things thanks to the drive to explore and investigate everything. Learning and understanding gives Investigators the stability and security they crave.

Investigators tend to be good teachers of the information they acquire through their extensive research.

The Investigator needs to have a deep understanding of the world in order to feel secure.

Line 2: The Hermit

Intense need for space and a lot of alone time to cultivate and nurture unique talents which nourish the soul.

Represents the window of the ground floor.

The Hermit is the Investigator’s opposite: where the Investigator is keen to research everything to acquire knowledge, the Hermit’s knowing is inherent and intuitive. 2nd line profile Hermits both need and desire time alone to become absorbed in and cultivate their natural talents.

Since the special gifts of the 2nd line Hermit are so intrinsic, they can sometimes have difficulty recognising them in themselves. It’s common for them to need these gifts pointed out to them by others in order to appreciate their own natural genius and brilliance.

The Hermit has an intense need for space to cultivate and nurture talents which nourish the soul.

Line 3: The Martyr

Amiable; likes to discover by testing theories and learning through experience, failure, trial and error.

Represents the stairs in the house.

The Martyr thrives on novel experiences and the discovery they bring, content to try new things and learn through trial and error what does and doesn’t work. Embracing this attitude as their own process, Martyr’s may be prone to making blunders, however they don’t view it that way because to them, every mistake is an opportunity to learn.

Understanding that there is purpose behind every experience, Martyr’s are not afraid of failure and are quick to bounce back and evolve. If a situation or person isn’t facilitating their growth, they’ll break free in order to pursue new experiences.

The Martyr is adventurous, resilient, and highly affable, charming even.

The Martyr likes to discover by testing theories and learning through trial and error.

Line 4: The Opportunist

Thrives on strong networks and connections; if the energy is not reciprocal will seek out a new community.

Represents the floor of the upstairs.

The Opportunist flourishes when surrounded by strong, healthy networks. They are excellent at forging and reinforcing deep bonds with others, however when these connections are not reciprocal, the Opportunist will invest their valuable energy elsewhere.

Opportunists feel safest when they have a solid foundation, and for them that means deep relationships, which they seek, establish, and nurture. For an Opportunist, their quality of life is reflected in the quality of their connections with others.

The Opportunist thrives on strong networks and connections

Line 5: The Heretic

Mysterious and enigmatic; highly alluring to everyone around them with a strong projection field received from those who are drawn to them.

Represents the upstairs window.

The Heretic is the opposite of the Opportunist, finding it comfortable and easy to network with strangers. Heretics tend to have very influential energy, and the seductive power of the 5th line is such that others cannot help but notice, leading to strong projections.

With their external and impactful process, Heretics must determine which projections are correct for them, and enforce strong boundaries to prevent incorrect 5th line projection.

The Heretic is highly alluring to everyone around them, with a strong projection field.

Line 6: The Role Model

Visionary and perfectionist, developing wisdom from personal experience and utilising it to create harmony.

Represents the roof of the house.

The Role Model experiences three important stages in their lifetime:

• 0 – 30 years

Primarily being focused on the trial and error of various experiences, this phase is essentially like being a Martyr.

• 31 – 50

The second phase is concerned with reflecting on the lessons taught by life experience gained during the first phase. In context of the house analogy, this phase is sometimes referred to as ‘being on the roof’, and is a time of introspection, processing, and gaining clarity.

• 50+

The perspective gained in the second phase leads to the Role Model’s respected insight, and the final phase is reserved for sharing their wisdom and guiding their close friends, families, and communities. 

For the Role Model, this is the phase during which their incarnation cross manifests.

The Role Model is a visionary and perfectionist, developing wisdom and utilising it to create harmony.

Profile designation informs our correct authority and strategy, which are vitally important things in Human Design, because when we live in harmony with all elements of our design, our experience of life will be rich and meaningful.

Ready to Order Your Report?

Curious to find out more, or order a reading for yourself or a loved one?

A comprehensive report can be an excellent tool to help deepen your relationships. And, newly unique to the market, child reports are now also available to help strengthen your connection with your child, and support their wellbeing.

Hot tip: Use code HD963K2 for a 25% discount when you purchase two or more reports!

Unlike the free reports typically available online, the offering from Supernatural Coaching is a 120+ page comprehensive deep-dive into your unique Design and type, also covering profiles and themes and providing a quick reference guide and workbook.

Learn more

Get report!

Just getting started with Human Design? Get your Essential Human Design Report for just GBP 10.00!

What Does the Science Say?

As with every aspect of Human Design, there is no evidence to support the theory or its principles.

However, in this post we’ve looked in detail only at the individual six profile lines. Next, we’ll look more closely at each of the 12 profiles, and it will be fascinating to see whether there’s any crossover between Human Design profiles and those determined by the Myers Briggs personality test.