THE PROFILES in Human Design
Your profile represents your role on Earth - your personality traits, habits, preferred lifestyle, and how you learn best. It’s expressed as two numbers which correspond to the two sides of each person’s personality: how you feel internally and how others perceive you externally. Each part of our personality serves a distinct purpose. Each profile comes with unique gifts, abilities, and a role to offer the world. It also contains a predisposition to certain types of insecurities, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses.
Your profile is made up of the two numbers located at the decimal point of your conscious and unconscious sun gate, such as 5/1 or 6/2. The first number is on the right black side (what you perceive most in yourself) and the second number is on the left red side (what others perceive most in you). For example, the person in the diagram below is a 5/1. They predominantly see their 5 line archetype, whereas others primarily notice their 1 line archetype. Both archetypes comprise their personality.
1st Line: The Investigator
Those with a 1 line in their profile are naturally curious, inquisitive, and driven to uncover the truth of whatever interests them. They seek out facts and information because understanding and knowing things makes them feel safe and secure. Once they feel confident in their knowledge of a topic, they can relax and feel qualified enough to offer their opinions or insights. They investigate, research, and study in order to make a firm foundation before spreading their knowledge. The more they know, the less they fear. They always feel their best and most confident when they are well prepared and armed with facts. They seek out authorities and teachers in order to become an authority or teacher themselves. Their knowledge is their gift to the world, and they are designed to become experts in their field. They simply need to follow the topics and things that are curious and intriguing to them.
The goal is to build a solid enough foundation of knowledge and then share it with the world. They can, however, be prone to imposter syndrome. If they don’t feel qualified enough (which is often), they won’t start. There is a pressure to know everything which leaves them stuck in analysis paralysis. They need to find a happy medium between researching and learning, so they have a broad and deep understanding, while also starting before they feel completely ready. It is impossible to know “everything”— they just need to trust that they know enough and will continue learning more along the way.
2nd Line: The Hermit / The Natural
Those with a 2 line in their profile possess inherent knowledge and are naturally gifted in certain areas. Some things come effortlessly and easily to them, without them knowing exactly where they learnt it or why it feels so natural. They are designed to follow whatever this natural talent is, surrendering to their ease and releasing the need to explain where these gifts originate from. In order to develop these natural skills, they need alone time to fully immerse themselves in their process. They can often become frustrated if people disturb them while they are “in the zone”, so it’s important for them to set boundaries and expectations with others about their need for this immersive alone time. If people do interrupt them, it’s helpful for them to understand that other people work differently and may not know about this strong need of theirs.
The first step for a 2 line is to see value in whatever comes easily and naturally to them. Society often promotes the belief that one must work "hard" and "earn" their success. This is not the case for a 2 line. Their success comes from embracing what comes easily. Because these abilities feel so natural, they may have a blindspot and may not realise just how valuable they are. There can be a belief as homogenised people that if we find something easy, everyone else does too. This is not true - what comes easy to some may not come as easy to others. If they are unsure of their natural gifts, they should ask their friends and family for their insights.
Others will often notice their talents and call on them to share. People will always look to them for what they have to offer, though their shyness and hermit-like tendencies may make them reluctant to share. Depending on the right invitation or call to action, the 2 line will emerge from their “hermit” or introverted side to share their gifts, and they should use strategy and authority to navigate this.
Coming into their genius and purpose is not about learning from the outside world but trusting their own gifts and sharing their unique perspective. Chasing every course, accreditation or external resource will only taint their natural gifts and voice. They are here to offer their own distinctive point of view, talents, and perspective, not simply replicate someone else’s. Instead of spending time studying externally, they should take isolated alone time, allowing space for stillness where they can truly hear themselves think and clarify their gifts. This is when they master their craft and are ready to share it with the world.
3rd Line: The Martyr / Experiential Learner
Those with a 3 line in their profile are the life experimenters and adventurers. They are here to navigate life through trial and error, discovering what does and doesn’t work. Through this process of experimentation, they learn the lessons they need, meet the right people, and share the wisdom they've gained. Life is their school. Although they can learn from others or from books, to truly know if something is right for them, or to embody a lesson, they must experience it for themselves.
Those with a 3 line in their profile need to be unafraid to try new things and experiment – this is the only way they will find success. As such, they cannot be afraid of failure. They have to go all in and embrace what life presents to them. When operating correctly as their true self, there is no such thing as failure for the 3rd line - only discovery. There are no mistakes, only learnings. It is important, however, that they learn from these experiences, as life will continue to offer the same experience until they do.
They are deeply resilient, often going through experiences that would break the average person. But the lessons they receive from embodied experience are a gift. They are relatable, personable and constantly evolving – others are drawn to them, wanting to live vicariously through their journey. They want to know what they have learnt through their life experiences. Their wisdom is truly embodied – they haven’t just read it in a book or learnt it from elsewhere, they have lived it. So whatever they have learnt from those life experiences, they are designed to share.
4th Line: The Opportunist / People Person
Those with a 4 line in their profile are natural “people” persons. They have a strong and natural gift of forming close relationships. Their purpose and priorities are about creating transpersonal connections and bonds with others. They are deeply influential to their community and are always looking for ways to help, assist, and give to their people. However, not everyone will be a good match for a 4th line. They will vibe and get along with some people, and not others. They should not judge themselves or force connections that don’t come naturally. The people they love are in their life for a reason – these are the individuals they should invest their time and energy into. This is where they will receive their opportunities and synchronicities through.
The quality of their life is determined by the quality of their relationships. They are not designed to entertain relationships that don’t align with them. This doesn’t mean they should be rude, but they shouldn’t feel pressured to force relationships to work. They can be pleasant and friendly but they shouldn’t feel obliged to attend every social event or gathering. By following their strategy and authority - they will naturally be guided to their people– there’s no need to actively seek it out.
Although they like to be surrounded by their people, they do need time to retreat, nurture, and rejuvenate themselves. They also need to ask for help when they need it. It is common for 4 lines to be the person others rely on, but they may not realise that they also need to be supported. Therefore, 4 lines must not be afraid to express their needs, so others can step up for them. If they don’t ask, they won’t receive. They should also resist the urge to hold tight control over their social group – by loosening the reins, they give others the chance to show up for them as well.
5th Line: The Heretic / Teacher
Those with a 5 line in their profile are natural problem solvers, fixers and solution creators. They instinctively know when to step in and share their wisdom. Their gift lies in their ability to bring universalised solutions to people’s problems. However, it’s crucial for them to also retreat when necessary, as they cannot fix everything—and don’t need to. Just because they can resolve an issue, doesn’t mean they should. They must use their strategy and authority to discern when to act. It’s important for them to let others go through their own processes; even though a 5 line may know how to "save the day", they shouldn't always interfere, as people may need to learn their own lessons.
Those with a 5 in their profile may receive projections from people about how they can help or save them from their problems. It is up to the 5 line to be aware of these projections and only take on what they are comfortable with. A 5 line does not like to let people down and will do anything to help or make something happen for another person.
These projections can come from all directions, such as being seen as the ideal friend, boss or employee—the one who can "save the day". This allows them to be liked by almost everyone at first glance and to spread their influence far and wide. But if unaware of the projections being placed on them, they may be flattered and believe other’s perceptions of them as being saviours. This can lead them to take on responsibilities that aren’t actually right for them. Therefore, it is important for them to only commit to roles they are comfortable with and confident they can fulfil—using their strategy and authority to guide them. They need to be very self aware of what they are really capable of solving and saving, and what they want to follow through with. Otherwise, they risk damaging their reputation by not being able to meet expectations.
6th Line: The Role Model
Those with a 6 line in their profile have three distinctive life cycles. In the first cycle of their lives (ages 0-28/30), the number 6 operates as a 3. They embody the traits of a line 3 during this time where they are in a process of experimentation, trial and error, and learning from their life experiences.
The second cycle (ages 30-50) involves slowing down, retreating, processing, and alchemising everything they’ve learnt. They naturally find themselves withdrawing from the world and looking at things differently. Experiences and events from the past start to make more sense, and they develop a deeper understanding of how the world works. This phase is often referred to as being “on the roof.” During this time, they retreat, observe, and reflect on life, gaining wisdom about how things operate.
The third cycle (ages 50 and beyond) is about re-emerging with their embodied mastery and knowledge to share with the world. At this stage of their lives, they have achieved harmony and mastery and are designed to share these insights. They have gained and alchemised so much wisdom that others will naturally seek them out as an example. Thus, they embody the role model they were designed to be — this time as their most authentic, optimistic and wise self.
As a 6 line, they need to give themselves freedom and space to explore, refine, and master their path. They should not put pressure on themselves to have it all figured out from day one. It is a marathon, not a sprint. They have a slight perfectionist streak and place high expectations on themselves and others. They see the potential and possibility in people and the world, which can feel heartbreaking if people don’t meet them. It's essential for them to remember that growth is a process and to redirect this energy towards their own projects and path.
Those with a 6 line are seekers, lovers, and deeply trusting of people. They are inherently designed to share their wisdom and need to trust that all their experiences will lead them to new truths. They discover their purpose when they embody the role model they are meant to be—walking the walk and talking the talk.
Bringing Them Together: Profiles
Each person has a combination of two of the above archetypes. Each archetypal number applies separately, and when combined, they create another meaning.
1/3: The Investigator/Martyr
1/3 profile is a combination of Profile 1 (conscious) left side and Profile 3 (unconscious) right side.
Those with this profile are the ultimate truth seekers and adventurers. They embark on a journey of trial and error— bumping into things, investigating what they encounter, and gaining an understanding of their discoveries. They seek out authorities to make sense of their experimental process. They do not like to get attention until they have established a solid foundation of knowledge or feel qualified enough. They enjoy long hours of introspection and strive to get to the bottom of whatever they encounter in their self discovery process.
1/3s are incredibly creative, productive, well-educated, well-prepared, and spiritually curious people.They possess a natural curiosity and healthy skepticism, often questioning their reality. They can be stubborn or resistant to take on advice from others, as they are designed to discover truths for themselves in order to learn. As they navigate their trial and error process, they will establish new foundations but must remember that their truth is subjective. It doesn’t need to resonate with everyone; it just needs to feel right for them. Their work involves being open to change and embracing what they learn through the highs and lows of experiential learning. The only failure is not learning from their trial and error process.
1/4: The Investigator/Opportunist
The 1/4 profile is a combination of Profile 1 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 4 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with this profile are conscious community teachers and investigators. They are focused on getting to the bottom of what makes things work and sharing their findings with the people in their tribe. They are always seeking ways to convey their knowledge to others. To do so effectively, they create a network of friends who then become recipients of their message. They have a special gift of being able to influence others, provided they have a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding. They have the ability to bond and connect with their network, establishing themselves as authorities and experts within their community.
They can share insights without necessarily having experienced everything themselves. As soon as they internalise a lesson, they can pass it on immediately to those who need the information. They have a strong presence among their people, and their natural friendliness and charisma attract listeners who eventually become their soul family.
They require time alone to be creative, conduct investigations, and come to their own conclusions. Seeking out mentors and teachers is very beneficial to those with this profile type. They aren’t just learning for themselves but for the people around them. They bring their whole tribe forward with them. Investing in and maintaining their network is one of the most important things that they do in life.
2/4: The Hermit/Opportunist
2/4 profile is a combination of Profile 2 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 4 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with this profile are magnetic humans that are designed to share their unique talents, gifts, and skills with their network who see and recognise them. They have two contrasting sides– one that wants to be alone in their own process, and another that wants to connect and share with their tribe. The sweet spot is finding balance: taking time alone to focus on their own work, and then sharing with their community when they are called upon.
They are at their happiest when taking their “hermit’ time, absorbed in their process in a safe space where they can be left alone to develop their gifts. If they spend too much time socialising, they can feel exhausted and frustrated. They need to honour and respect their desire for alone time,as this is where they can fully immerse themselves in their creative process. Then, when it's time to come out of their shell and connect socially, they can share the skills and talents they have developed in their hermit time. Their extroverted side, influenced by the 4 line, desires to deeply connect with others who resonate with them. To fully express themselves, they must be called out into the world by their network to share their gifts, while also continually making time to rest in their own space and energy. They should use their strategy and authority to determine which invitations or calls to action to follow.
Each person with a 2 in their profile is naturally gifted at something, whether they realise it or not. They are typically modest and often unable to recognise their unique talents unless reflected back to them by the people in their lives. If they are unsure, they should ask their friends and family for insight into their gifts. It is essential for a 2/4 to be surrounded by a network that genuinely loves and supports them, as this helps the hermit embrace their hidden genius. They are not easily motivated to study in the traditional sense but possess an inherent wisdom that is theirs to share.
2/5: The Hermit/Heretic
2/5 profile is a combination of Profile 2 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 5 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with this profile love to help others but also to be left alone in their own process. They possess great potential for leadership and are highly capable of achieving greatness. Deeply creative, they are natural problem solvers who provide logical solutions and are often seen as the "fixers"—the ones who can save the day. Others look to them for guidance and support. They are introverted extroverts and thrive in stepping up to assist people but equally appreciate their time in solitude.
They are naturally talented and gifted individuals who develop their genius in moments of solitude. They are quite humble and often don’t recognise their unique gifts unless others point them out. They will always have people knocking on their door asking for their guidance and wisdom. These people may project a saviour identity onto the 2/5, "calling them out" of their hermit nature by requesting their innate skills. This encourages the hermit to come out of hiding, allowing them to lead with their universalised power. Their reclusiveness gives them time to build their talents and recharge, ensuring they are ready when the time comes to save the day.
It is essential for them to know when to step up and when to retreat back into their own space, by using their strategy and authority. The key to feeling their most fulfilled selves lies in finding a happy medium between taking on enough responsibility to feel purposeful but not so much that it leads to frustration and overwhelm.
They crave harmony and naturally attract people’s loyalty. Others may place them on a pedestal as someone who has it all together, without understanding what is happening under the surface. They need to remember to ask for help when needed and to feel deserving of the love they so readily offer others.
3/5: The Martyr/Heretic
3/5 profile is a combination of Profile 3 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 5 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with this profile are life experimenters and worldly experts. They have gone through it all - the ups, the downs, and everything in between. They are magnetic, relatable, and loved by others, as people resonate with their experiences and often wish to live vicariously through them. They are here to approach life with a curious mind and an openness to the possibilities that can arise. By recognising the lessons and learning from their experiences, they will continue to uplevel in life.
They are at their most powerful when they embrace the messiness of life and find wisdom throughout. For a 3/5, life can feel like a rollercoaster, but they are here to act as a catalyst for change that others can learn from. They go through an endless cycle of trial and error to find what is best for them. They try something new, make mistakes, fail or succeed, and then repeat the process. As a result, they naturally become wise, largely from learning through their mistakes. They need love and encouragement as they venture through life. When they share their experiences, they give others permission to live fully. People benefit greatly from hearing their personal stories.
3/6: The Martyr/Role Model
3/6 profile is a combination of Profile 3 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 6 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with this profile are resilient, adaptable, mutative, and constantly evolving. They become a role model to others through their embodied knowledge and wisdom they gain from their trial and error process. They do not give up easily and are always motivated to overcome any hurdles during their experimentation. They oscillate between a desire to explore and adventure in the world, and the need to retreat. A part of them wants to actively live life to the fullest while another side simply wants to observe and relax. They find their happy point when they allow themselves to do both - to have their space and also dive into the chaos when they feel ready..
They can often be hard on themselves during their trial and error process due to their perfectionist nature. However, they must remember that their knowledge is gained through mistakes and failures; this is part of their process and path. They should reframe these moments as opportunities for wisdom.
4/6: The Opportunist/Role Model
4/6 profile is a combination of Profile 4(conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 6 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
People with this profile are the natural central figures of their tribe or community. They organise, influence, and direct the people around them. Friends and family are everything to them. They are the glue that holds a community together. They plan, look after, and care for their tribe, creating close bonds and relationships.
However, if they over-give and don’t allow other people to step up for them, they can become frustrated and overwhelmed. In those instances they need to learn to release control and not have such a tight grip on everything. They can sometimes feel the pressure that if they don’t do it all, nothing will get done. But this only reinforces their belief that they can’t rely on anyone else. If they don’t let people step up, they will never receive the love and support they need. Always doing everything for their community can lead to mental exhaustion and anxiety, so they need to refrain from attempting to mastermind everything and allow life to unfold naturally. In these moments, they should lead more with their heart than their head, letting others be the great friend or partner they deserve.
4/1: The Opportunist/Investigator
The 4/1 profile is a combination of Profile 4 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 1 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
People with this profile are rare, comprising only 1% of the population. They are deeply fascinated by life, human behaviour, and psychology. They are designed to be very individualistic and see polarity in everything—whether it’s right versus wrong, or good versus bad. With a strong inner knowing, it is crucial for them not to shift their perspective to please others. They are designed to stick to their truths and have the ability to reach the widest variety of people.
They are obsessed with grasping new truths through their research and investigative skills. They are designed to follow their curiosities, becoming authorities in their chosen fields and sharing this expertise with their community. They have the ability to communicate effectively and with great power and resonance.
5/1: The Heretic/Investigator
The 5/1 profile is a combination of Profile 5 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 1 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with this profile are natural problem solvers, researchers, and fixers. They are thorough, nifty, and dependable. These individuals often go against the grain to create a different life for themselves. With a curious mind, they are always eager to get to the bottom of things. They are designed to become experts and authorities in whatever they are drawn to investigate and research. They love the process, not just the end result, whether it involves new projects, people, or challenges—they love to immerse themselves fully.
Others may project onto them the expectation that they can lead, guide, help, or save them. When the projection is appropriate, they enjoy stepping into this role and delivering practical solutions with their expert problem-solving skills. However, they can also feel the weight of other people’s expectations and dislike the idea of falling short, disappointing, or letting others down. Therefore, it is crucial for them to be discerning about which problems or opportunities they are willing and able to assist with, using their strategy and authority. They should avoid saying yes to commitments they cannot fulfil or that would lead them into their Not-Self. They desire enough responsibility that they feel effective and connected with their purpose, but not so much that they feel bitter and cynical.
5/2: The Heretic/Hermit
The 5/2 profile is a combination of Profile 5 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 2 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
People with a 5/2 profile possess two opposing sides. On one side they are genuinely interested in helping and supporting other people. On the other side, they would preferably be left alone and undisturbed by anyone. They are adept problem solvers, practical solution creators, fixers, and natural leaders.
They require solo time to immerse themselves in their process and develop their innate gifts. By nature, those with a 5/2 profile can only self motivate using their strategy and authority. No one else can motivate them to take action or pull them out of their alone time. They can only do this themselves, and if they feel forced or pressured, they will retreat even further.
The number 2 in their profile brings natural abilities and gifts, but they are often unaware of their own talents. They spend a significant amount of time questioning the validity of their abilities. They discover their own genius when they recognise their gifts and energetically put themselves out there. They cannot expect other people to see and value them if they do not value and recognise themselves first.
6/2: The Role Model/Hermit
The 6/2 profile is a combination of Profile 6 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 2 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with a 6/2 profile are seekers who are exceptionally wise and proficient, with very high standards. Although they are born authorities, they operate as a 3 for the first 30 years of their life, immersing themselves in a process of learning from their experiences. They navigate the highs and lows of life through trial and error and experimentation. In their 30s, their experiences and learnings begin to alchemise into wisdom. They are deep thinkers and big dreamers, setting ambitious goals and aspirations in life, striving to become the exemplary person their younger self wished existed.
They hold high standards for themselves and others, which can place considerable pressure on their relationships. They need to resist the urge to micromanage and to constantly seek to improve those around them. It can be heart-wrenching for them when friends and family do not live up to their potential, but they should redirect their focus to their own life—creating their dream reality and finding their ideal soulmate, which they strongly desire. They long for a fairy-tale ending.
When a 6/2 is thriving, they possess a healthy sense of optimism. They enjoy being in the spotlight, but also have the ability to retreat when they need their alone time. It is essential for them to value their gifts and share the unique perspective they have on the world. They are wise beyond their years.
6/3: The Role Model/Martyr
The 6/3 profile is a combination of Profile 6 (conscious - what they see in themselves more) and Profile 3 (unconscious - what others see most in them).
Those with a 6/3 profile are searchers and eternal optimists. They are constantly seeking new experiences, opportunities, and people. During the first 30 years of their life, they operate as a 3/3, engaging in experimentation, trying things out, failing, succeeding, bumping into obstacles, meeting new people, and discovering themselves. When they reach the second phase of their lives in their 30s, they begin to alchemise the lessons and experiences into wisdom in real time.
They can be quite restless, jumping from one experience, place, or relationship to another. They are both fun and wise, striving to make the most out of life. They are at their most powerful and in flow when they allow themselves to explore and also share the wisdom they gain along the way.
