The 6 Colors of Human Design

Color acts as a bridge between the deepest levels of our programming, which are inaccessible to us, and the surface level where we consciously experience life. This concept highlights the inherent helplessness humans have in controlling their underlying motivations.

Here are the key points on how Color represents the underlying motivation behind every human action:

Color acts as a "filter" that colors everything we do. Just as looking through rose-tinted glasses changes how we see the world, each color provides a different lens through which we perceive and interact with reality.
Color reveals the motive behind our actions, even when we are unaware of it. This motivation is not something we can consciously access or change, but it influences how we live our lives on the surface level.
While everyone has a Color associated with each line in their Human Design chart, this aspect cannot be personalized. Unlike the hexagram and line, which are directly experienced on a personal level, Color operates as a collective force, connecting us to the totality of human experience.
The sources provide an analogy of mushrooms growing in a field to illustrate the relationship between individual identity and the collective. On the surface, each mushroom appears unique, but they all stem from the same underlying organism. Similarly, individuals may seem distinct, but they are all part of a larger whole driven by shared, impersonal Color motivations.
The sources argue that understanding Color is essential for comprehending the true nature of helplessness and surrendering to our design. By recognizing the influence of Color, we can begin to accept the limitations of our conscious control and appreciate how our individual actions contribute to the larger human story.
Color operates in a binary system, with each color representing a specific response to life. These responses, in turn, influence how we operate on the surface level. For example, the first Color, Fear, manifests in the communalist/separatist binary, driving individuals to seek security through community or isolation. The second Color, Hope, operates through the theist/anti-theist binary, reflecting the human need to believe in something beyond the provable.
The first two Colors, Fear and Hope, are associated with survival. These colors represent humanity's evolutionary journey toward establishing a secure foundation and exploring the nature of existence.
Colors three and four, Desire and Need, are associated with the development of the mind. Desire motivates individuals to explore new mental territories through trial and error, acting as the driving force behind innovation and discovery. Need, in contrast, focuses on mastering existing knowledge through a deeply personal process, representing the transmission of wisdom from master to novice.
Colors five and six, Guilt and Innocence, represent the potential of the spirit. Guilt, linked to the Solar Plexus system and the feeling tone, reflects the limitations of seeking spiritual truth through external conditioning. It operates through the conditioner/conditioned binary, highlighting how religious and cultural systems influence beliefs. The sixth Color, Innocence, is said to emerge fully with the coming mutation in human consciousness. This mutation will transform the Solar Plexus and lead to a state where individuals are no longer defined by external conditioning.

Understanding the concept of Color in Human Design offers a framework for understanding the motivations behind human actions. By recognizing the influence of these underlying forces, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

How does the sixth color relate to the concept of spirit?

The sixth color, innocence, relates to the potential of the spirit through the emotional system and a coming mutation that will transform how the solar plexus motor operates. This transformation will impact both the fifth and sixth colors. The sixth color is connected to the sixth tone, acceptance, whose thematic is touch, which in this context refers to more than just the tactile. The sixth color moves away from the tactile and towards the ability to be impacted and deeply moved to the point that everything works because one is being oneself. This transformation is not immediate, as the current configuration of the sixth color still reflects its pre-mutative structure as the observed. However, a shift is occurring where the sixth color will transition from the observer to the lived example of correctness. This transition will be marked by a period of chaos as this new type of role model emerges. The sixth color will move away from the hypocrisy of the pre-1781 sixth line and toward being a living example through the process of being touched.

What are the six colors?

The six colors are a core concept in Human Design, representing the underlying motivations that drive human behavior. Each color corresponds to a specific response and mode of operation, influencing how individuals navigate life and interact with the world around them.

Here are the six colors and their associated responses and modes:

Color 1: Fear. The first color, fear, motivates survival and influences individuals to establish a secure foundation in the world. This color operates through the mode of communalist/separatist, reflecting the innate drive to connect with others while also maintaining a sense of individuality.
Color 2: Hope. The second color, hope, introduces a more esoteric dimension to human experience, representing the potential for spirituality and the belief in things that cannot be empirically proven. The mode of theist/anti-theist reflects this duality, encompassing both the belief and disbelief in a higher power.
Color 3: Desire. Desire, the third color, signifies a drive for mental exploration and the pursuit of new territories of understanding. It operates through the mode of leader/follower, highlighting the role of trailblazers in shaping collective knowledge and understanding.
Color 4: Need. Need, the fourth color, represents the inward journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of mastery. Operating through the mode of master/novice, it underscores the importance of both teaching and learning in personal growth.
Color 5: Guilt. The fifth color, guilt, centers around the themes of conditioning and deconditioning, representing attempts to shape or reshape beliefs and behaviors. It operates through the mode of conditioner/conditioned, highlighting the influence of external forces on individual perspectives.
Color 6: Innocence. Innocence, the sixth color, represents a state of being true to oneself, embodying authenticity and living as a "living example." It operates through the mode of observer/observed, signifying a shift from seeking external validation to embracing one's innate nature.

These six colors are not merely theoretical concepts, but rather deeply embedded within the human psyche, influencing motivations, behaviors, and interactions with the world. They are interwoven with other fundamental aspects of Human Design, including the hexagrams, lines, tones, and bases, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human experience.

How are colors related to human design lines?

Here is a comprehensive explanation of the relationship between colors and Human Design lines, based on the provided sources:

Colors in Human Design represent the underlying motivations that influence how the surface aspects of a person's design, the lines, operate. It's important to note that "colors" in this context don't refer to hues like red or blue. Instead, they act as metaphors, suggesting that each color is like a filter through which a person experiences the world.
Colors are assigned to each line in a person's Human Design chart, and their influence is determined by the relationship between the color and the line:
- Resonance: When a line and color share the same numerical position (e.g., a first line with a first color), their energies resonate, creating a strong alignment between the surface behavior (line) and the underlying motivation (color).
- Harmony: Harmony occurs when specific color and line combinations complement each other, such as a first color and a fourth line. In these instances, the surface behavior harmonizes with the underlying motivation.
- Dissonance: When a line and color combination is dissonant (e.g., a first color with a third line), the relationship between the surface behavior and the underlying motivation can be more challenging and uncomfortable.
The sources highlight a crucial point about colors: they are not personal and individuals have no direct access to them. This lack of access means that the motivations driving a person's actions, as represented by the colors, are not something they can consciously control or change.
The six colors are grouped into three binary pairs, with each pair representing a different aspect of human experience:
- First Color (Fear) and Second Color (Hope): Motivation for Survival These colors are connected to the Splenic system, which is responsible for instinct, survival, and awareness. The first color's fear, expressed through either a communalist or separatist approach, drives the pursuit of security and understanding how things work. The second color, hope, introduces the possibility of something beyond the material world, opening individuals up to spirituality and the realm of the unprovable.
- Third Color (Desire) and Fourth Color (Need): Motivation for Learning This pair is linked to the Ajna center, the seat of the mind in Human Design. The third color, desire, fuels the exploration of new mental territories through trial and error, leading to the discovery of new ways of thinking. The fourth color, need, emphasizes inner vision and the process of mastering knowledge through personal connection and guidance, leading individuals to find security from within.
- Fifth Color (Guilt) and Sixth Color (Innocence): Motivation for Finding the Spirit These colors are associated with the Solar Plexus system, which governs emotions and the potential for spiritual awareness. The fifth color, guilt, motivates individuals to either accept existing conditioning or become conditioners themselves. This is about attempting to unify the spirit level, often through religious doctrines or ideologies. The sixth color, innocence, represents a transition away from the limitations of conditioning. It is linked to the potential transformation of the emotional system and the emergence of a new way of being.

It is important to remember that this information about colors in Human Design is presented within a specific system of knowledge. It is up to the individual to determine its relevance and application in their own life.

What is the significance of the six tones in human design?

The six tones in Human Design are a complex and nuanced aspect of the system that represent the underlying chemical infrastructure of a person's design. The tones provide a deeper level of understanding about the motivations and behaviors associated with each of the six lines in a hexagram. Each tone is associated with a specific sense, such as smell, taste, outer vision, inner vision, feeling, and touch. The tones are grouped into three binaries: Splenic, Ajna, and Solar Plexus.

The first tonal binary, Splenic, relates to awareness and survival instincts, influencing the first and second colors of fear and hope.
The second tonal binary, Ajna, is associated with the development of the mind, impacting the third and fourth colors of desire and need.
The final tonal binary, Solar Plexus, relates to the potential of the spirit and the path to spiritual growth, affecting the fifth and sixth colors of guilt and innocence.

It is important to note that the relationship between the tones and lines is not direct. Instead, the colors act as a bridge between the tones and the lines, with each color having a direct relationship to the tone below it. The tone shapes the essence of the color, which in turn influences how the corresponding line manifests in a person's life.

The concept of tones introduces a deeper layer of helplessness in Human Design. Humans have no direct access to or control over their tones, just as they have no access to their colors. These deeper levels are part of the chemical processes and programming within a person's design, emphasizing the importance of accepting one's inherent design and following their strategy and type.

Understanding the tones can provide insights into the deeper motivations and challenges within a person's design. For example, the fifth tone, associated with judgment and feeling, is linked to the fifth color of guilt and the themes of conditioning and deconditioning. This tonal influence highlights the limitations of external conditioning in achieving true spiritual transformation.

In contrast, the sixth tone, characterized by acceptance and touch, is connected to the sixth color of innocence and the potential for embodying one's true self. This tone represents a shift away from external conditioning toward a more authentic and integrated way of being.

It is important to highlight that accurate calculation of a person's tones requires a precise birth time, within a margin of two to three minutes. Without this accuracy, the calculated tone might not be reliable.

What relationship do the six tones have with the six colors in human design?

The six tones and the six colors in Human Design are linked by the concept of "motivation," which underpins all human actions. While colors represent the surface-level motivations individuals experience, tones provide the deeper chemical and genetic framework influencing these motivations.

Colors act as a bridge between the surface level, where individuals consciously live out their lives, and the deeper levels of programming represented by tones and bases. This relationship implies that while a person might exhibit certain behaviors due to their color, the underlying reason for those behaviors can be found in their corresponding tone.
The relationship between colors and tones is not a direct one-to-one correspondence. Instead, color has a direct relationship with the tone below it, with the tone essentially creating the color.
For instance, the first color, fear, stems from the need for security, which is rooted in the first tone associated with the Splenic system. This system, responsible for instinct and judgment, uses the sense of smell to determine safety and belonging, leading to the communalist/separatist dynamic observed in individuals with a strong first color theme.
The sources use the example of the third and fourth colors to further illustrate this connection. Both colors relate to mental exploration and learning, yet their corresponding tones, outer vision and inner vision, reveal the different ways this exploration occurs.

It's important to remember that while individuals have conscious access to their lines and hexagrams, they do not have direct access to their colors or tones. These deeper levels of programming are part of the collective, influencing individuals as part of the whole.

Understanding the connection between colors and tones can offer a richer understanding of human behavior and motivation. By recognizing the deeper chemical and genetic influences represented by tones, one can better understand the surface-level motivations represented by colors.

How does the text relate the concept of 'tone' to the chemical makeup of a person?

The concept of "tone," as described in the sources, refers to the underlying chemical infrastructure of a person that influences their motivations and behaviors. It is important to note that this concept of "tone" and its relationship to Human Design is specific to these sources and may not align with other understandings of human chemistry or psychology.

Here's how the sources explain the connection:

Tones are associated with specific physiological systems. The sources draw a parallel between the six tones and three physiological systems: the Splenic system (tones 1 and 2), the Ajna center (tones 3 and 4), and the Solar Plexus system (tones 5 and 6).
These physiological systems have corresponding chemical processes. While not explicitly stated, the sources imply that the Splenic system, Ajna center, and Solar Plexus each have unique chemical processes that contribute to a person's overall makeup.
Tones influence colors, which represent motivations. Each color, representing a fundamental human motivation (like fear, hope, desire), is linked to a specific tone. The tone's associated physiological system and its chemical processes influence how that color is expressed. For example, the first color, fear, is linked to the Splenic tone and manifests as either a communalist or separatist response.

Therefore, according to the sources, a person's "tone" is a reflection of their underlying chemical processes, specifically within these three physiological systems. These chemical processes then influence a person's motivations and how they interact with the world.

It is crucial to reiterate that this information is derived solely from the provided sources and presents a specific interpretation of "tone" within the framework of Human Design. This information may not align with standard scientific or psychological understandings of human chemistry or behavior.

What is a 'mode' in Human Design?

In Human Design, a "mode" refers to one of the six colors, each representing an underlying way in which the lines in a Human Design chart operate. Each mode is associated with a binary theme that fluctuates throughout life. For example, the mode of fear includes the binary theme of communalist/separatist. Understanding the modes provides insight into the deeper motivations behind how individuals live out their lines on the surface level.

Which two colors motivate finding the spirit?

The fifth and sixth colors motivate finding the spirit. The first and second colors motivate survival, while the third and fourth colors motivate learning.

How does the sixth color relate to mutation?

The sixth color, Innocence, is related to the human mutation that began in 1781 with a change in how the sixth line operates after the Kiron return. Before 1781, sixth line beings would reach an apex of success and respect as they aged. After their Kiron return, they would become authorities, but hypocrites who advised others to do what they would not. Since 1781, the sixth line still goes through the three phases, but after the Kiron return at age 50 or 51, they are now expected to be living examples of their wisdom. The sixth color is also impacted by a transformation in the solar plexus that will change how the fifth and sixth colors operate chemically. This transformation will be most potent in the sixth color, which will allow the mutation to manifest through the sixth line.

What metaphor is used to illustrate the concept of interconnectedness?

The mushroom metaphor illustrates the concept of interconnectedness. While mushrooms may seem like separate entities on the surface, they often stem from a single, massive, interconnected organism underground. This illustrates that beneath superficial appearances of individuality, a deeper level of interconnectedness can exist, much like how humans share a common species-level genetic makeup. The sources do not specify if all mushroom species share a single organism.

What distinguishes the fourth color from the first three?

The first three colors pertain to survival, while the third and fourth colors pertain to learning. The fourth color motivates a person to look inward to find security, while the first three do not. The first three colors are about survival and relate to how awareness awakens via the splenic system through instinct and judgment.

The third color is about exploring new possibilities for the mind through trial and error, represented in the sources by the term “outer vision”.
The fourth color, on the other hand, is about looking inward, represented by the term “inner vision”.

The sources describe this distinction as a “chemical imperative” that exists at the “tonal level.” The first two colors are related to the splenic system and are about survival, while the third and fourth colors are related to the Ajna center, which is mental. The first tonal binary deals with smell and taste, while the third and fourth colors, in the middle binary, deal with vision. The third color represents outer vision, while the fourth color represents inner vision.

as a 5/1 manifestor, how can I apply this knowledge?

As a 5/1 Manifestor, this information about the colors can enhance your understanding of your own inner motivations and how they might impact your experience in the world.

The first color, in your case, is based on the 5th line, which is associated with guilt and the impulse to either condition or be conditioned. This suggests that a deep-seated fear of guilt may be a driving force in your life. You may find yourself drawn to roles where you can influence or guide others, or conversely, you might struggle with feeling overly responsible for the feelings and expectations of those around you.
The second color, associated with the 1st line, is characterized by fear. Individuals with this color as their base tend to be motivated by a need for security and a desire to establish a solid foundation. This can manifest as a tendency towards either communalism (seeking safety in numbers) or separatism (withdrawing to protect oneself).

Given that your profile is 5/1, you carry both of these color frequencies within you. This suggests a potential internal conflict between the desire to influence and the need for security.

Understanding these underlying motivations can be a powerful tool for self-awareness. Recognizing when these fears are driving your actions can help you make conscious choices that align with your true self, rather than being unconsciously driven by these primal fears. This awareness can also help you navigate relationships with greater understanding. For example, recognizing that someone with a strong first-line theme is motivated by a need for security might inspire you to approach them with patience and reassurance.

It's important to note that the sources provided focus primarily on the significance of the first color in an individual's Human Design chart. They don't elaborate extensively on the interplay or combined influence of the first and second colors. Therefore, the interpretation of having both the fifth and first color frequencies, while grounded in the provided information, involves a degree of extrapolation. You may want to explore this aspect further through additional research or consultation with a Human Design expert.

Resource: Colors, Ra Uru Hu, 2001