One of the first things you notice on a chart is that some centers are colored and others are white. That difference explains a lot about how you work: which energy is reliably yours and which you take in —and amplify— from the people around you.
This article is part of our complete Human Design guide. If you don't have your chart yet, get your free Human Design chart.
Defined center: your consistent energy
A center is defined when it is part of a complete channel. Its energy is always available and it's what you broadcast to others. With a defined Solar Plexus you have your own emotional wave; with a defined Throat, a consistent way of expressing yourself.
Undefined and completely open centers
An undefined center has some gates activated but no complete channel. A completely open center has no gates at all. In both cases the center doesn't work consistently: it receives other people's energy and amplifies it. It's where your environment conditions you most, and where you can grow wisest over time.
The not-self question of each open center
- ✦Head: am I thinking about things that don't matter to me?
- ✦Ajna: am I trying to look certain?
- ✦Throat: am I trying to attract attention?
- ✦G Center: am I looking for love and direction outside myself?
- ✦Heart (Ego): am I still trying to prove my worth?
- ✦Sacral: do I know when enough is enough?
- ✦Solar Plexus: am I avoiding confrontation and truth?
- ✦Spleen: am I holding on to what isn't good for me?
- ✦Root: am I rushing to get rid of the pressure?
The motor centers
Four centers are motors: Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart and Root. When a motor connects to the Throat, the person can manifest —that defines Manifestors and Manifesting Generators. Projectors don't have a defined Sacral, and Reflectors have no defined centers at all.
Frequently asked questions
What does an undefined center mean in Human Design?+
That you don't have that energy consistently: you receive and amplify it from others. It's an area of learning and possible conditioning.
Is it better to have defined or open centers?+
Neither. Defined centers give stability; open centers give sensitivity and wisdom about other people's experience.
What are the motor centers?+
Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart (Ego) and Root.