What is an Incarnation Cross in Human Design?
An Incarnation Cross in Human Design is a concept that represents a person’s life purpose or overarching theme. It’s derived from the four key positions in a person’s Human Design chart:
- Conscious Sun
- Conscious Earth
- Unconscious Sun
- Unconscious Earth
These four positions create a unique combination that forms the Incarnation Cross. There are 192 different Incarnation Crosses in total.
The Incarnation Cross is considered to provide insight into an individual’s life path, potential challenges, and overall purpose. It’s believed to influence a person’s behavior, decisions, and life experiences on a fundamental level.
In Human Design theory, understanding one’s Incarnation Cross can help provide guidance on how to live authentically and fulfill one’s life purpose.
Understanding Your Incarnation Cross in Human Design
The position of the Conscious and Unconscious Sun and Earth create a vital configuration that constitutes 70% of the energy of your being.
This configuration, called the Incarnation Cross, represents the energy frequency and the storyline of the Life Purpose in the chart. 192 basic Incarnation Crosses are configured from this combination of Earth and Sun positions.
The Incarnation Cross does NOT give specific details about employment or career path. You can fulfill your Incarnation Cross no matter what “work” you do.
The Incarnation Cross gives specific details that tell you what you’re here to give the world and what you need to have in place to feel stable and supported in fulfilling your gifts.
How to find your Incarnation Cross
Start by generating your human design chart.
One you have your own chart, your Incarnation Cross is comprised of the top four numbers on your Human Design chart, representing the Conscious and Unconscious Sun and the Conscious and Unconscious Earth. The name of your Incarnation Cross is usually on your Human Design chart.
Three variations of Crosses are associated with each Gate, the Right Angle, Juxtaposition and Left Angle, determined by your Profile. Just like with your Profile, the “angle” of your Cross tells you how you’ll fulfill the purpose of your Cross.
Left Angle, Right Angle, and Juxtaposition Crosses
The Right Angle Crosses are here to learn and lead from their personal experiences.
Juxtaposition Crosses serve the purpose of bringing stabilization and information to their leadership style.
Left Angle Crosses lead through their ability to see the potential and build towards it.
How To Interpret Your Incarnation Cross
The most important position in the Cross to explore is the Conscious Sun. Every element in the entire chart is expressed through the theme of the Conscious Sun.
When working with clients, if you only tell them about the position of their Conscious Sun, they will know a lot about who they are and what they’re here to do.
The Unconscious Sun is also vital but often feels more hidden or elusive compared to the Conscious Sun. When the theme of the Unconscious Sun is not fulfilled, it can feel like pressure or an unspoken, hidden desire that pushes to emerge.
The Earth’s positions both represent what you need to feel grounded and need to receive in the way of support to fulfill the highest expression of the Sun Gates in the Cross.
You can often look to the Earth Gates to find vital information to stimulate motivation and drive if someone is struggling.
The Earth Gates represent a code that can often heal the feminine nature of a client and can help reveal what needs to be restored in order to improve lovability and self-worth.
The fulfillment of the purpose of the Incarnation Cross happens in combination with the de-conditioning process. The more a person de-conditions, the easier it is for them to create a life that fulfills the intention of the Incarnation Cross.
Why is it called the “Incarnation Cross”?
The Incarnation Cross represents your “soul curriculum” for your lifetime – your current “incarnation .” Your Cross tells you what you’re here to do, what you’re here to give, and the major learning themes that drive and motivate you.
What if my Incarnation Cross doesn’t sound like me?
First of all, always double-check your birthdate, time, and place on your chart to be sure that you calculated your chart with the correct date.
Secondly, it isn’t really fulfilled until you go through the de-conditioning process. Many of us have to heal our self-worth and release any old stories where we’ve internalized the message that it’s not okay for us to be who we are or how we are before we can connect with the true purpose of our Incarnation Cross.
To start reconnecting with the meaning of your Incarnation Cross, begin by living your life true to your Human Design Type.
Quarters in the Incarnation Crosses
The concept of quarters in Human Design’s Incarnation Crosses is rooted in the system’s underlying philosophy and structure. Here’s a more detailed explanation of why quarters exist and their significance:
- Hexagram Structure: The Human Design system is based on the I Ching, which consists of 64 hexagrams. These hexagrams are divided into four groups of 16, forming the basis for the four quarters.
- Evolutionary Cycle: The quarters represent a cyclical progression of human experience and evolution. They symbolize different stages of development, both for individuals and for humanity as a whole.
- Holistic Representation: The four quarters together create a complete picture of human experience, covering all aspects of life from individual identity to societal structures, relationships, and transformation.
- Energy Flow: The quarters represent a natural flow of energy, starting with individual creation (Initiation), moving to societal organization (Civilization), then to relationships and balance (Duality), and finally to transformation and evolution (Mutation).
- Thematic Grouping: By grouping the crosses into quarters, it becomes easier to understand the overarching themes and purposes of different life paths.
- Contextual Understanding: The quarter provides context for interpreting individual crosses. A cross in the Quarter of Initiation will have a different flavor than a similar cross in the Quarter of Mutation, for example.
- Spiritual and Philosophical Alignment: The concept of quarters aligns with many spiritual and philosophical traditions that view life and evolution in stages or cycles.
- Practical Application: For Human Design practitioners and individuals studying their own charts, the quarters provide a framework for understanding and applying the insights of the Incarnation Cross.
The quarters in Human Design crosses serve to organize and contextualize the complex information contained in each individual cross, making the system more accessible and applicable to real-life situations. They provide a macro view of human experience to complement the micro view offered by individual gates and channels.
Incarnation Cross Names and Descriptions
Once you’ve found your Incarnation Cross, it is worthwhile to learn more about the details of your specific cross. To help you do that, here are links to descriptions for each of the named right-angle, left-angle, and juxtaposition crosses (all 192 of them!)
The Quarter of Initiation (Gates 1-8):
This quarter is about beginnings, creativity, and identity. It deals with the spark of creation, self-expression, and the individual’s role in starting new cycles. People with crosses in this quarter often have a strong sense of self and a drive to initiate new projects or ideas.
Right Angle Cross of The Sphinx 1 (13/7 | 1/2)
Right Angle Cross of Explanation 1 (49/4 | 43/23)
Right Angle Cross of Contagion 1 (30/29 | 14/8)
Right Angle Cross of The Sleeping Phoenix 1 (55/59 | 34/20)
Right Angle Cross of Planning 1 (37/40 | 9/16)
Right Angle Cross of Consciousness 1 (63/64 | 5/35)
Right Angle Cross of Rulership 1 (22/47 | 26/45)
Right Angle Cross of Eden 1 (36/6 | 11/12)
Right Angle Cross of The Vessel of Love 1 (25/46 | 10/15)
Right Angle Cross of Service 1 (17/18 | 58/52)
Right Angle Cross of Tension 1 (21/48 | 38/39)
Right Angle Cross of Penetration 1 (51/57 | 54/53)
Right Angle Cross of Maya 1 (42/32 | 61/62)
Right Angle Cross of Laws 1 (3/50 | 60/56)
Right Angle Cross of The Unexpected 1 (27/28 | 41/31)
Right Angle Cross of The Four Ways 1 (24/44 | 19/33)
Left Angle Cross of Masks 1 (13/7 | 43/23)
Left Angle Cross of Revolution 1 (49/4 | 14/8)
Left Angle Cross of Industry 1 (30/29 | 34/20)
Left Angle Cross of Spirit 1 (55/59 | 9/16)
Left Angle Cross of Migration 1 (37/40 | 5/35)
Left Angle Cross of Dominion 1 (63/64 | 26/45)
Left Angle Cross of Informing 1 (22/47 | 11/12)
Left Angle Cross of The Plane 1 (36/6 | 10/15)
Left Angle Cross of Healing 1 (25/46 | 58/52)
Left Angle Cross of Upheaval 1 (17/18 | 38/39)
Left Angle Cross of Endeavor 1 (21/48 | 54/53)
Left Angle Cross of Limitation 1 (42/32 | 60/56)
Left Angle Cross of Wishes 1 (3/50 | 41/31)
Left Angle Cross of Alignment 1 (27/28 | 19/33)
Left Angle Cross of Incarnation 1 (24/44 | 13/7)
Juxtaposition Cross of Listening (13/7 | 43/23)
Juxtaposition Cross of Principles (49/4 | 14/8)
Juxtaposition Cross of Fates (30/29 | 34/20)
Juxtaposition Cross of Moods (55/59 | 9/16)
Juxtaposition Cross of Bargains (37/40 | 5/35)
Juxtaposition Cross of Doubts (63/64 | 26/45)
Juxtaposition Cross of Grace (22/47 | 11/12)
Juxtaposition Cross of Crisis (36/6 | 10/15)
Juxtaposition Cross of Innocence (25/46 | 58/52)
Juxtaposition Cross of Opinions (17/18 | 38/39)
Juxtaposition Cross of Control (21/48 | 54/53)
Juxtaposition Cross of Shock (51/57 | 61/62)
Juxtaposition Cross of Completion (42/32 | 60/56)
Juxtaposition Cross of Mutation (3/50 | 41/31)
Juxtaposition Cross of Caring (27/28 | 19/33)
Juxtaposition Cross of Rationalization (24/44 | 13/7)
The Quarter of Civilization (Gates 9-16):
This quarter focuses on structure, organization, and the building of systems. It’s about how individuals interact with and contribute to society. Crosses here often relate to leadership, management, and the creation or maintenance of societal structures.
Right Angle Cross of The Sphinx 2 (2/1 | 13/7)
Right Angle Cross of Explanation 2 (23/43 | 49/4)
Right Angle Cross of Contagion 2 (8/14 | 30/29)
Right Angle Cross of The Sleeping Phoenix 2 (20/34 | 55/59)
Right Angle Cross of Planning 2 (16/9 | 37/40)
Right Angle Cross of Consciousness 2 (35/5 | 63/64)
Right Angle Cross of Rulership 2 (45/26 | 22/47)
Right Angle Cross of Eden 2 (12/11 | 36/6)
Right Angle Cross of The Vessel of Love 2 (15/10 | 25/46)
Right Angle Cross of Service 2 (52/58 | 17/18)
Right Angle Cross of Tension 2 (39/38 | 21/48)
Right Angle Cross of Penetration 2 (53/54 | 51/57)
Right Angle Cross of Maya 2 (62/61 | 42/32)
Right Angle Cross of Laws 2 (56/60 | 3/50)
Right Angle Cross of The Unexpected 2 (31/41 | 27/28)
Right Angle Cross of The Four Ways 2 (33/19 | 24/44)
Left Angle Cross of Defiance 1 (2/1 | 49/4)
Left Angle Cross of Dedication 1 (23/43 | 30/29)
Left Angle Cross of Uncertainty 1 (8/14 | 55/59)
Left Angle Cross of Duality 1 (20/34 | 37/40)
Left Angle Cross of Identification 1 (16/9 | 63/64)
Left Angle Cross of Separation 1 (35/5 | 22/47)
Left Angle Cross of Confrontation 1 (45/26 | 36/6)
Left Angle Cross of Education 1 (12/11 | 25/46)
Left Angle Cross of Prevention 1 (15/10 | 17/18)
Left Angle Cross of Demands 1 (52/58 | 21/48)
Left Angle Cross of Individualism 1 (39/38 | 51/57)
Left Angle Cross of Cycles 1 (53/54 | 42/32)
Left Angle Cross of Obscuration 1 (62/61 | 3/50)
Left Angle Cross of Distraction 1 (56/60 | 27/28)
Left Angle Cross of The Alpha 1 (31/41 | 24/44)
Left Angle Cross of Refinement 1 (33/19 | 2/1)
Juxtaposition Cross of The Driver (2/1 | 49/4)
Juxtaposition Cross of Assimilation (23/43 | 30/29)
Juxtaposition Cross of Contribution (8/14 | 55/59)
Juxtaposition Cross of The Now (20/34 | 37/40)
Juxtaposition Cross of Experimentation (16/9 | 63/64)
Juxtaposition Cross of Experience (35/5 | 22/47)
Juxtaposition Cross of Possession (45/26 | 36/6)
Juxtaposition Cross of Articulation (12/11 | 25/46)
Juxtaposition Cross of Extremes (15/10 | 17/18)
Juxtaposition Cross of Stillness (52/58 | 21/48)
Juxtaposition Cross of Provocation (39/38 | 51/57)
Juxtaposition Cross of Beginnings (53/54 | 42/32)
Juxtaposition Cross of Detail (62/61 | 3/50)
Juxtaposition Cross of Stimulation (56/60 | 27/28)
Juxtaposition Cross of Influence (31/41 | 24/44)
Juxtaposition Cross of Retreat (33/19 | 2/1)
The Quarter of Duality (Gates 17-24):
This quarter deals with relationships, partnerships, and the interplay between opposing forces. It explores themes of love, intimacy, and how we relate to others. Crosses in this quarter often involve navigating personal relationships and finding balance between self and others.
Right Angle Cross of The Sphinx 3 (7/13 | 2/1)
Right Angle Cross of Explanation 3 (4/49 | 23/43)
Right Angle Cross of Contagion 3 (30/29 | 14/8)
Right Angle Cross of The Sleeping Phoenix 3 (59/55 | 20/34)
Right Angle Cross of Planning 3 (40/37 | 16/9)
Right Angle Cross of Consciousness 3 (64/63 | 35/5)
Right Angle Cross of Rulership 3 (47/22 | 45/26)
Right Angle Cross of Eden 3 (6/36 | 12/11)
Right Angle Cross of The Vessel of Love 3 (46/25 | 15/10)
Right Angle Cross of Service 3 (18/17 | 52/58)
Right Angle Cross of Tension 3 (48/21 | 39/38)
Right Angle Cross of Penetration 3 (57/51 | 53/54)
Right Angle Cross of Maya 3 (32/42 | 62/61)
Right Angle Cross of Laws 3 (50/3 | 56/60)
Right Angle Cross of The Unexpected 3 (28/27 | 31/41)
Right Angle Cross of The Four Ways 3 (44/24 | 33/19)
Left Angle Cross of Masks 2 (7/13 | 23/43)
Left Angle Cross of Revolution 2 (4/49 | 8/14)
Left Angle Cross of Industry 2 (29/30 | 20/34)
Left Angle Cross of Spirit 2 (59/55 | 16/9)
Left Angle Cross of Migration 2 (40/37 | 35/5)
Left Angle Cross of Dominion 2 (64/63 | 45/26)
Left Angle Cross of Informing 2 (47/22 | 12/11)
Left Angle Cross of The Plane 2 (6/36 | 15/10)
Left Angle Cross of Healing 2 (46/25 | 52/58)
Left Angle Cross of Upheaval 2 (18/17 | 39/38)
Left Angle Cross of Endeavor 2 (48/21 | 53/54)
Left Angle Cross of Limitation 2 (32/42 | 56/60)
Left Angle Cross of Wishes 2 (50/3 | 31/41)
Left Angle Cross of Alignment 2 (28/27 | 33/19)
Left Angle Cross of Incarnation 2 (44/24 | 7/13)
Juxtaposition Cross of Interaction (7/13 | 23/43)
Juxtaposition Cross of Formulization (4/49 | 8/14)
Juxtaposition Cross of Commitment (29/30 | 20/34)
Juxtaposition Cross of Strategy (59/55 | 16/9)
Juxtaposition Cross of Denial (40/37 | 35/5)
Juxtaposition Cross of Confusion (64/63 | 45/26)
Juxtaposition Cross of Oppression (47/22 | 12/11)
Juxtaposition Cross of Conflict (6/36 | 15/10)
Juxtaposition Cross of Serendipity (46/25 | 52/58)
Juxtaposition Cross of Correction (18/17 | 39/38)
Juxtaposition Cross of Depth (48/21 | 53/54)
Juxtaposition Cross of Intuition (57/51 | 62/61)
Juxtaposition Cross of Conservation (32/42 | 56/60)
Juxtaposition Cross of Values (50/3 | 31/41)
Juxtaposition Cross of Risks (28/27 | 33/19)
Juxtaposition Cross of Alertness (44/24 | 7/13)
The Quarter of Mutation (Gates 25-32):
This quarter is about transformation, evolution, and the unknown. It deals with pushing boundaries, exploring new territories (both literal and metaphorical), and facilitating change. Crosses here often involve themes of revolution, innovation, and spiritual evolution.
Right Angle Cross of The Sphinx 4 (1/2 | 7/13)
Right Angle Cross of Explanation 4 (43/23 | 4/49)
Right Angle Cross of Contagion 4 (14/8 | 29/30)
Right Angle Cross of The Sleeping Phoenix 4 (34/20 | 59/55)
Right Angle Cross of Planning 4 (9/16 | 40/37)
Right Angle Cross of Consciousness 4 (5/35 | 64/63)
Right Angle Cross of Rulership 4 (26/45 | 47/22)
Right Angle Cross of Eden 4 (11/12 | 6/36)
Right Angle Cross of The Vessel of Love 4 (10/15 | 46/25)
Right Angle Cross of Service 4 (58/52 | 18/17)
Right Angle Cross of Tension 4 (38/39 | 48/21)
Right Angle Cross of Penetration 4 (54/53 | 57/51)
Right Angle Cross of Maya 4 (61/62 | 32/42)
Right Angle Cross of Laws 4 (60/56 | 50/3)
Right Angle Cross of The Unexpected 4 (41/31 | 28/27)
Right Angle Cross of The Four Ways 4 (19/33 | 44/24)
Left Angle Cross of Defiance 2 (1/2 | 4/49)
Left Angle Cross of Dedication 2 (43/23 | 29/30)
Left Angle Cross of Uncertainty 2 (14/8 | 59/55)
Left Angle Cross of Duality 2 (34/20 | 40/37)
Left Angle Cross of Identification 2 (9/16 | 64/63)
Left Angle Cross of Separation 2 (5/35 | 47/22)
Left Angle Cross of Confrontation 2 (26/45 | 6/36)
Left Angle Cross of Education 2 (11/12 | 46/25)
Left Angle Cross of Prevention 2 (10/15 | 18/17)
Left Angle Cross of Demands 2 (58/52 | 48/21)
Left Angle Cross of Individualism 2 (38/39 | 57/51)
Left Angle Cross of Cycles 2 (54/53 | 32/42)
Left Angle Cross of Obscuration 2 (61/62 | 50/3)
Left Angle Cross of Distraction 2 (60/56 | 28/27)
Left Angle Cross of The Alpha 2 (41/31 | 44/24)
Left Angle Cross of Refinement 2 (19/33 | 1/2)
Juxtaposition Cross of Self Expression (1/2 | 4/49).
Juxtaposition Cross of Insight (43/23 | 29/30)
Juxtaposition Cross of Empowering (14/8 | 59/55)
Juxtaposition Cross of Power (34/20 | 40/37)
Juxtaposition Cross of Focus (9/16 | 64/63)
Juxtaposition Cross of Habits (5/35 | 47/22)
Juxtaposition Cross of The Trickster (26/45 | 6/36)
Juxtaposition Cross of Ideas (11/12 | 46/25)
Juxtaposition Cross of Behavior (10/15 | 18/17)
Juxtaposition Cross of Vitality (58/52 | 48/21)
Juxtaposition Cross of Opposition (38/39 | 57/51)
Juxtaposition Cross of Ambition (54/53 | 32/42)
Juxtaposition Cross of Thinking (61/62 | 50/3)
Juxtaposition Cross of Limitation (60/56 | 28/27)
Juxtaposition Cross of Fantasy (41/31 | 44/24)
Juxtaposition Cross of Need (19/33 | 1/2)
Reading Your Human Design Chart
Need a refresher on how to read your Human Design Chart? Visit this post
How Can I Learn More About Human Design?
We don’t ever get to cross off our Incarnation Cross. When we embody our designs we are living our Incarnation Crosses and it is something we will experience throughout our life path.
Did you know that there are other Incarnation Crosses other than the Right Angle Cross? Which one are you?
If you would like to learn more about your Human Design, why not visit Our School
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