Visual reference

Genogram relationship lines and symbols

Every line on a genogram tells a story. This visual guide covers every structural, emotional, and child connection line type used in standard genogram notation, drawn the way GenogramAI draws them.

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by the GenogramAI Clinical Team

Quick answer

Genogram relationship lines show how two people are connected. Partner lines show marriage (solid), cohabitation (dashed), separation (one slash) and divorce (two slashes). Emotional lines show the quality of a bond: two parallel lines for close, three for fused, a zigzag for hostile, a dashed line for distant, and two bars across a line for a cutoff.

Genogram example: Relationship Lines Reference — A real genogram drawn in GenogramAI with harmony, close, fused, hostile, distant, estranged, cutoff repaired, love, friendship, indifferent and focused-on lines, and its key. Open this example

What do genogram lines mean?

Each line style in a genogram represents a different type of relationship between family members:

Line	Drawing	Meaning
Solid line		Marriage
Dashed line		Cohabitation
Dotted line		Engagement / dating
Single slash /		Separation
Double slash //		Divorce
X on line		Widowed
Two blue lines		Close relationship
Three red lines		Fused / enmeshed
Red zigzag		Hostile (Conflict = two dashed red lines)
Red dashed line		Distant
Solid red + two bars		Estranged / cutoff
Line + arrow		Abuse (directional)

Genogram lines fall into three categories: structural lines that define legal and biological connections (marriage, divorce, parent-child), emotional lines that describe the quality of the bond between any two people, and child connection lines that specify how a child joined the family (biological, adopted, foster). Understanding these lines is essential for reading any genogram accurately, and for building one using a genogram maker.

Quick reference: common genogram lines

The most frequently used relationship lines in genogram notation.

Line type	Visual description	Meaning
Marriage	Single solid horizontal line	Legal marriage between two partners
Divorce	Solid line with two slashes (//)	Finalized legal divorce
Separation	Solid line with one slash (/)	Separated but not legally divorced
Close relationship	Two parallel blue lines	Healthy, strong emotional bond
Enmeshed / fused	Three parallel red lines	Overly dependent, blurred boundaries
Conflict	Two dashed red lines	Ongoing tension and disagreement
Hostile	Zigzag (jagged) line	Open, expressed antagonism
Close-hostile	Parallel lines + zigzag together	Intimate yet conflictual relationship
Distant	Single dashed line	Emotional distance, lack of closeness
Cutoff / estranged	Solid red line crossed by two vertical bars	No contact, severed relationship
Abuse	Line with arrow toward the person harmed	Abuse directed toward one person

Structural relationship lines

Structural lines define the legal and formal connections between partners. They are always horizontal, joining two partners on the same generational row. Here is every structural line type GenogramAI draws.

Line	How it looks	Meaning	When to use
Marriage	Single solid horizontal line	Legal marriage	Any legally married couple; add the marriage year above the line
Divorce	Solid line + two slashes (//)	Finalized legal divorce	Add the divorce year next to the slashes
Separation (legal)	Solid line + one slash (/)	Legally separated, still married	Formal separation without a divorce
Separation (physical)	Dashed line + one slash	Living apart without a legal process	Couples who have moved out but not filed
Annulment	Solid line + two slashes + X	Marriage annulled	When the marriage was legally voided
Widowed	Solid line + X	Marriage ended by a partner’s death	Pair with the X through the deceased partner’s symbol
Cohabitation	Dashed horizontal line	Living together without marriage	Unmarried couples who share a household
Engagement	Dotted horizontal line	Engaged to be married	Showing relationship progression
Dating	Light dotted line	Casual or early relationship	Partners who do not live together
Life partner	Solid single line, labelled	Committed partnership that is not a legal marriage	Long-term partners; label it so it is not read as marriage (some practitioners pair a solid and a dashed line)
Affair	Pink dashed line	Extramarital relationship	When an affair is relevant to the presenting concern
One-night stand	Pink sparse-dotted line	Single encounter	Usually to show a child’s biological parentage
Rape	Red line + red X	Non-consensual sexual contact	Sensitive; record only with clinical reason and consent
Parent-child	Vertical line from the couple line	Parent to child connection	Every child; see child connection types below
Association	Generic grey link line	Non-family connection	Pets, caregivers, close family friends
Unknown	Dotted line + circled “?”	Relationship type not known	Gaps in family history; missing information is itself meaningful

Marriage, engagement and cohabitation

A single solid horizontal line connecting two partner symbols is the most fundamental structural line in genogram notation. Partners are placed on the same horizontal level. A dotted horizontal line indicates an engaged but not yet married couple; it is less commonly seen but useful for showing relationship progression. A dashed horizontal line represents a couple living together without a legal marriage, increasingly common in modern genograms as family structures evolve.

Separation and divorce

A single forward slash (/) through the marriage line means the couple is separated but not legally divorced; they remain legally married. Two forward slashes (//) through the marriage line indicate a finalized divorce. If a person remarries, a second marriage line is drawn from their symbol.

Committed partnership

Some practitioners use a solid line paired with a dashed line to indicate a committed domestic partnership that is not a legal marriage. Whatever convention you use, label it in the legend.

Emotional relationship lines explained

Emotional lines describe the quality and nature of bonds between any two family members, in any generation. These are the ones you will draw most often.

Close

Two parallel blue lines indicate a close, healthy emotional bond between two people. This is a positive relationship marker showing trust and connection.

Fused / Enmeshed

Three parallel lines signify an enmeshed or fused relationship where boundaries are blurred. Clinically significant because it indicates an unhealthy level of dependence or over-involvement.

Distant

A dashed or dotted line represents emotional distance. The people are still in contact but the relationship lacks closeness or warmth.

Hostile / Conflict

A zigzag line represents ongoing conflict or hostility between two people. One of the most recognizable emotional relationship lines in genogram practice.In GenogramAI: standard notation treats this as one conflictual line; the editor splits it into two types so you can grade severity. Choose Hostile for the classic red zigzag, or Conflict for a lower-intensity two-dashed-red-line variant.

Close-Hostile

A combination of a close line and a hostile zigzag indicates a relationship that is both intimate and conflictual, common in many family dynamics.

Cutoff / Estranged

A line crossed by two bars represents a severed relationship. The people have no contact. This is one of the most clinically significant markers in family therapy.

Focused On

A line with an arrow indicates one person is overly focused on or preoccupied with the other. The arrow points toward the person being focused on.

Abuse

A line with a directional arrow indicates abuse flowing from one person toward another. The arrow points to the person being abused. Notation distinguishes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

Fused-Hostile

A combination of enmeshed lines and a hostile zigzag. Represents a deeply intertwined relationship that is simultaneously codependent and antagonistic.

Violence

A tighter, denser zigzag distinguishes physical violence from general conflict. Notation varies by practitioner; always check the genogram’s legend.

Genogram emotional relationship symbols: all 39 types

Every emotional line type in the GenogramAI editor, drawn exactly as it appears on the canvas. Colour carries meaning: blue for closeness, green for positive regard, red for conflict, fusion and distance, grey for indifference.

Positive bonds (7)

Line	Meaning	When to use
Harmony	Balanced, peaceful relationship	A steady, low-conflict relationship worth noting as a strength
Close	Warm, supportive bond with healthy boundaries	A warm bond with healthy boundaries; a resource in the system
Friendship	Non-familial supportive bond	Supportive non-family ties: friends, mentors, chosen family
Love	Deep affection and caring	Deep affection, often between partners or parent and child
In Love	Mutual romantic attachment	Mutual romantic attachment, e.g. a new partnership
Attachment	Secure ongoing emotional tie	A secure, lasting tie such as a child to a caregiver
Limerence	One-sided infatuation	One person infatuated with another who does not reciprocate

Fusion & enmeshment (4)

Line	Meaning	When to use
Fused / Enmeshed	Over-involved; boundaries blurred	Over-involvement where one person’s feelings drive the other’s
Fused / Conflict	Enmeshed and actively conflictual	Enmeshed pairs who also argue constantly
Fused / Hostile	Enmeshed with open antagonism	Codependent and openly antagonistic at the same time
Fused / Violence	Enmeshed with physical violence	Enmeshment combined with physical violence; flag for safety

Distance & cutoff (7)

Line	Meaning	When to use
Distant	Emotional disconnection	Still in contact, but little warmth or engagement
Indifferent	No emotional investment	No emotional investment either way
Estranged / Cutoff	Contact deliberately broken	A deliberate break in contact (emotional cutoff)
Cutoff Repaired	A break since reconciled	A past cutoff that has since been reconciled
Never Met	No relationship ever formed	Relatives who never had a relationship, e.g. an absent parent
Distant / Hostile	Disengaged and antagonistic	Little contact, but antagonism when they do interact
Distant / Violence	Disengaged with violence	Little contact, with a history of violence

Conflict & hostility (8)

Line	Meaning	When to use
Conflict	Active tension and arguments	Ongoing tension and arguments, lower intensity than hostile
Hostile	Open antagonism	Open, expressed antagonism (the classic zigzag)
Violence	Physical violence or threat	Physical violence or threats between two people
Hate	Deep-seated animosity	Entrenched animosity beyond ordinary conflict
Distrust	Suspicion, withheld confidence	Suspicion or withheld confidence, often after a betrayal
Jealous	Possessiveness and envy	Possessiveness or envy directed at another person
Close / Hostile	Close yet openly antagonistic	Intimate yet conflictual; common between parents and teens
Close / Violence	Close with physical violence	A close bond in which violence also occurs; flag for safety

Abuse & neglect (8)

Line	Meaning	When to use
Abuse	Generic abuse pattern	Abuse where the type is unknown or not yet disclosed
Abuse — Physical	Bodily harm, harm-doer to harmed	Bodily harm; the arrow points from the person who harms to the person harmed
Abuse — Emotional	Coercion, degradation, control	Coercion, degradation or control used to harm
Abuse — Sexual	Sexual violation	Sexual abuse; record with care and clinical reason
Neglect — Physical	Care, food or shelter withheld	Food, shelter or physical care withheld
Neglect — Emotional	Emotional care withheld	Emotional care and attention withheld
Control	Coercive control	Coercive control of another person’s choices
Manipulative	Covert influence	Covert influence or exploitation

Directional (5)

Line	Meaning	When to use
Focused On	Attention directed at one person	One person preoccupied with another (arrow points to the focus)
Focused On — Negative	Critical or blaming focus	Critical or blaming focus, e.g. a scapegoated child
Caretaker	Caregiving directed at another	One person caring for another, e.g. a parentified child
Fan / Admirer	Admiration directed at another	Admiration directed at another person
Influence	One person strongly shapes the other's choices; the arrow points at the person influenced

Child connection lines

Child lines run vertically from the parents’ horizontal couple line down to the child, and the line style tells you how the child joined the family.

Connection	How it looks	Meaning
Biological child	Solid vertical line	A solid vertical line from the parent couple’s horizontal line down to the child symbol. This is the default child connection and indicates a biological relationship.
Adopted child	Dashed vertical line	Indicates the child was adopted. Some notations include a bracket or "A" near the line. The dashed style visually distinguishes the connection from biological.
Foster child	Dotted vertical line	Connects foster children to their foster parents. This denotes a temporary or non-permanent caregiving relationship.
Stepchild	Dash-dot vertical line	A partner’s child from another relationship, shown on the step-parent’s side.
Surrogate	Line marked S	Child born via a surrogate.
Sperm donor	Line marked SD	Child conceived with donor sperm.
Egg donor	Line marked ED	Child conceived with a donor egg.
Fraternal twins	Two lines from one point	Twin children are shown with lines that converge from a single point on the parent line before splitting to each child.
Identical twins	Converging lines + horizontal bar	Identical twins have a horizontal bar connecting their converging lines; fraternal twins do not.

Genogram example: Adoptive Family Genogram — Biological and adopted children on the same genogram. Open this example

Reading relationship lines on a real genogram

The reference genogram at the top of this page uses a different emotional line for almost every pair. Here is how to read it.

Between	Line drawn	What it says
Arthur and Betty (grandparents)		Harmony: a balanced, peaceful marriage
Victor and Wendy (grandparents)		Close: a warm bond with healthy boundaries
Betty and her son Craig		Fused: mother and son over-involved
Betty and her daughter-in-law Diane		Hostile: open antagonism
Craig and Diane (parents)		Fused / conflict: enmeshed and fighting
Craig and his brother Frank		Estranged: no contact between the brothers
Frank and his niece Hannah		Cutoff repaired: a break since reconciled
Edward and his nephew Ian		Focused on: the arrow points to Ian
Hannah and her brother Ian		Friendship: a supportive sibling bond

Read the structure first (who is married to whom, who are whose children), then the emotional lines, then look for patterns such as the fused mother-son bond sitting next to a hostile in-law line.

Genogram example: Emotional Triangulation — Emotional lines forming a triangle: a classic pattern to look for once the lines are drawn. Open this example

Rules for drawing and reading relationship lines

Structural lines (marriage, divorce) are always horizontal between partners on the same generational row.
Emotional lines can connect any two people in the family, regardless of generation.
Colour coding varies between practitioners. GenogramAI draws closeness in blue, positive regard in green, and conflict, fusion and distance in red. Always check the genogram’s legend.
Multiple line types can overlap between the same two people. A married couple can also have a "hostile" emotional overlay.
Child connection lines are always vertical from the parent’s horizontal couple line downward to the child symbol.
Directional lines (abuse, focused on, caretaker) carry an arrow; it points toward the person on the receiving end.

Printable chart

Want the lines on one page? The printable genogram symbols cheat sheet covers structural lines, emotional lines and person symbols. For the full symbol set, including medical and person symbols, see the genogram symbols guide.

Frequently asked questions

What do the different lines on a genogram mean?

Lines on a genogram convey two types of information: structural relationships (marriage, divorce, separation, cohabitation) and emotional relationships (close, distant, hostile, cutoff, enmeshed). Structural lines are horizontal connections between partners, while emotional lines are typically drawn between any two family members to show the quality of their bond.

What are the relationship symbols in a genogram?

Genogram relationship symbols are the line styles that join two people. Partner lines show marriage (solid), cohabitation (dashed), engagement (dotted), separation (one slash) and divorce (two slashes). Emotional lines show the quality of a bond: two parallel lines for close, three for fused, a zigzag for hostile, a dashed line for distant, and a line broken by two bars for a cutoff.

How many types of genogram relationship lines are there?

There is no single fixed number; practitioners add lines as needed. This page documents 39 emotional lines, 16 structural partner and family lines, and 7 child connection types, plus twin notation. GenogramAI supports 64 relationship types in all, including every line in the tables below.

What does a zigzag line mean on a genogram?

A zigzag or jagged line between two people on a genogram represents conflict or hostility. If the zigzag has a directional element (like an arrow), it may indicate abuse. This is one of the most commonly used emotional relationship lines in clinical practice. In the GenogramAI editor this continuum is split into two selectable types: choose Hostile to draw the classic zigzag, or Conflict for a lower-intensity variant drawn as two dashed red parallel lines.

How do you show divorce on a genogram?

Divorce is shown by drawing two parallel slashes (//) through the horizontal marriage line connecting the two partners. A single slash (/) indicates separation rather than a finalized divorce.

What is the difference between close and enmeshed lines?

A close relationship is shown with two parallel blue lines, indicating a healthy strong bond. An enmeshed or fused relationship is shown with three parallel red lines, indicating an unhealthy, overly dependent bond where boundaries are unclear. The distinction is clinically important in family therapy.

What does a dashed line mean on a genogram?

It depends on where the line is. A dashed horizontal line between partners means cohabitation (living together without marriage). A dashed vertical line from parents to a child means adoption. A dashed line drawn between any two relatives as an emotional line means a distant relationship.

How do you show adopted children on a genogram?

Adopted children are connected to their adoptive parents using a dashed vertical line instead of a solid one. Foster children use a dotted vertical line. Biological children always have a solid vertical line connecting them to their parents.

Can a genogram show multiple types of relationships between two people?

Yes. It is common to show both a structural relationship (like marriage) and an emotional overlay (like conflict) between the same pair. The emotional line is typically drawn alongside or near the structural line. GenogramAI supports layering multiple relationship types.