Each Gate in Human Design corresponds with one of the 64 Hexagrams of the I Ching. Each Hexagram is made up of 6 lines, stacked from the bottom up. Each line is either solid (yang) or broken (yin), the Yin/Yang binary. In addition, each Hexagram and Gate can be understood through six levels, the lines. This 1 through 6 movement and pattern is repeated throughout the different levels of information in Human Design, so understanding the basic nature of each of the 6 lines is essential once we get past the surface.
The line value for every gate brings a particular flavor and specificity to the characteristics of the gate. The Rave I Ching and Line Companion provide detailed descriptions of each line of each gate, but by understanding the nature of the lines, you can get a sense of their effect on the expression of the gate.
The first 3 lines are part of the Lower trigram and are personal and self-absorbed. The second 3 lines are transpersonal and interactive with the other.
Line 1 – Introspective, insecure until it has established a solid foundation, motivated to study, Profile: Investigator
Line 2 – Gifts that project out but with a sense of wanting to be undisturbed, shyness, natural abilities that are just there, called out. Profile: Hermit
Line 3 – Adaptation relating to the material world, interactive, experiential, trial and error, discovery, learning from what doesn’t work. Profile: Martyr
Line 4 – Externalization, Influence among friends in personal network, generous, seeking opportunity. Profile: Opportunist
Line 5 – Universalize, receives projection, must be practical or suffer persecution, wary of expectation, influence among strangers. Profile: Heretic
Line 6 – Transition, objectivity, authority, trusted advisor, aloof. Profile: Role Model