What do the symbols mean in a genogram?

Genogram symbols use standardized shapes and lines to represent people and relationships. Squares represent males, circles represent females, and diamonds represent unknown or non-binary gender. An X through a shape means deceased. Relationship lines connect people: solid horizontal lines show marriages, slashes show separation or divorce, and vertical lines connect parents to children. Emotional overlays use patterned lines — parallel lines for closeness, zigzag for conflict, dashed lines for distance, and breaks for cutoffs.

How many genogram symbols are there?

The McGoldrick standard notation includes over 150 symbols across 11 categories: person/gender shapes, vital status indicators, partner relationship lines, relationship status markers, parent-child connections, twin symbols, emotional relationship overlays (38 types), medical condition markers, cultural heritage patterns, religion indicators, and social class markers.

What does a zigzag line mean on a genogram?

A zigzag line on a genogram represents conflict or hostility between two people. A tight zigzag indicates violence. If the zigzag has an arrow, it indicates directed abuse. These emotional relationship overlays are drawn between any two family members to show the quality of their bond.

What is the difference between a circle and a square on a genogram?

A circle represents a female and a square represents a male. This is the most fundamental distinction in genogram notation. Additional shapes include diamonds for unknown or non-binary gender, hexagons for intersex individuals, and triangles for pregnancies or miscarriages.

Hate Relationship Symbol in Genograms

Understanding Hate in Family Systems

Hate in genogram notation represents intense, persistent aversion. This is distinguished from temporary anger or even ongoing hostility by its deep-rooted, seemingly immutable nature.

Clinical Considerations

Hate often develops from severe betrayal or trauma
May mask profound hurt or grief
Often involves dehumanization of the hated person
Can be transmitted to other family members
May persist even after the hated person's death

Hate vs. Other Negative Patterns

Conflict: Disagreement, can be resolved
Hostile: Active antagonism, may fluctuate
Hate: Deep aversion, feels permanent

When to Use This Symbol

The hate symbol should be reserved for the most extreme cases of negative feeling. Use it when clinical assessment reveals:

Intractable aversion after betrayal: A parent who discovers a family member's severe betrayal (e.g., abuse of a child) and expresses a permanent, unwavering wish to never see that person again, coupled with active ill-will.
Post-divorce dehumanization: An ex-spouse who, years after separation, still refers to their former partner in dehumanizing terms and actively works to turn children against them, going beyond ordinary co-parenting conflict.
Inheritance or estate disputes that calcify: Siblings whose conflict over a deceased parent's estate has hardened into a permanent stance of loathing, where one or both express genuine hatred rather than mere resentment.

How Hate Differs From Hostile

Hate vs. Hostile: Key Distinctions

Permanence: Hostile relationships fluctuate in intensity and may include periods of civility. Hate feels immutable and total -- the person sees no possibility of change.
Emotional depth: Hostility involves active antagonism and anger. Hate goes deeper -- it often includes contempt, disgust, and a wish for the other person's erasure from one's life.
Engagement: Hostile individuals still engage, even if combatively. People who hate may refuse all contact, or if forced into proximity, display cold revulsion rather than heated argument.
Symbol difference: Hostile uses a standard zigzag line. Hate uses three dashed red lines, reflecting the deeper, more pervasive quality of the feeling.

How to Add in GenogramAI

Steps to Document a Hate Relationship:

1Press E to open the Emotional Relationship tool, then click the first family member and drag to the second.
2In the relationship menu, select "Hate" from the negative relationship types.
3Add a note describing the context or origin of the hatred -- this helps distinguish it from temporary hostility when reviewing the genogram later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hate be one-directional?

Yes. Unlike hostility, which is typically mutual, hate can be entirely one-sided. One person may harbor deep hatred while the other feels guilt, sadness, or indifference. When this is the case, document the directionality in your clinical notes.

Should I use the hate symbol if a client uses the word "hate" casually?

Not necessarily. Many people say "I hate my sister" when they mean frustration or anger. The hate symbol should be reserved for assessed, deep-rooted aversion that persists over time. Explore what the client actually means before selecting this notation.

Can a hate relationship ever become something else?

While rare, therapeutic work can sometimes shift hate into grief, acceptance, or even indifference. If the relationship changes over time, update the symbol accordingly. Some clinicians keep the original hate symbol with a date range and add the new symbol to show the progression.

How does hate differ from cutoff?

A cutoff is a behavioral action -- severing contact. Hate is an emotional state. They often coexist, but not always. A person may hate someone they still see regularly (e.g., at family gatherings), and a cutoff may stem from hurt or self-protection rather than hatred.