Genogram symbols are standardized shapes and lines used to represent family members and their relationships. The basic symbols are: square = male, circle = female, diamond = unknown gender. An X through any shape indicates deceased. Relationship lines connect symbols: solid line = marriage, dashed line = engagement, zigzag line = conflict. These symbols were established by Murray Bowen (1978) and standardized by McGoldrick, Gerson, and Petry (1985, 2008).
Below is a complete reference of all genogram symbols organized by category. For in-depth explanations with clinical context, see our detailed symbols guide.
The fundamental symbols representing individuals in a genogram.
| Symbol | Shape | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Male | Standard size 30px in WebGeno | |
| Circle | Female | Standard size 30px in WebGeno | |
| Diamond | Unknown/Unspecified | Used when gender is not known or not specified |
Indicators showing whether a person is living, deceased, or represents a pregnancy outcome.
| Symbol | Indicator | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain shape | Living | Default status for family members | |
| X through shape | Deceased | Death date often noted nearby | |
| ? inside shape | Current Pregnancy | Unborn child, gender may be unknown | |
| Small shape | Miscarriage | Spontaneous pregnancy loss (10px size) | |
| Small shape + X + "SB" | Stillbirth | Loss at or after 20 weeks | |
| Small shape + X | Abortion | Induced termination |
Horizontal lines connecting partners to show relationship type and status.
| Line Style | Meaning | Modifiers |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage | Can add: separation (1 slash), divorce (2 slashes), widowed | |
| Engagement | Formal commitment before marriage | |
| Union in Fact | Cohabitation / common-law partnership |
| Line Style | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dating | Committed dating relationship | |
| Casual | Uncommitted relationship | |
| One-Night Stand | Brief encounter | |
| Love Affair | Extramarital or secret relationship |
| Modifier | Appearance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Single slash / | Separation - couple living apart | |
| Double slash // | Divorce - legally dissolved | |
| X symbol | Widowed - spouse deceased |
Vertical lines connecting parents to children, showing how the child joined the family.
| Line Style | Child Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Biological | Child born to parents (default) | |
| Adopted | Legally adopted child | |
| Foster | Foster child (labeled "F") | |
| Guardian | Legal guardianship (labeled "G") |
| Notation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Two lines converging to single point | Fraternal Twins - non-identical |
| Converging lines + horizontal bar | Identical Twins - monozygotic |
Lines showing the quality and nature of relationships between any two family members. Developed by McGoldrick et al. as the "gold standard" for genogram practice (Butler, 2008).
| Line Style | Relationship | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Close / Harmonious | Two parallel lines - positive connection | |
| Very Close / Enmeshed | Three parallel lines - overly close | |
| Distant | Dotted line - emotionally distant | |
| Cutoff / Estranged | Line with break - no contact | |
| Conflict / Discord | Zigzag line - ongoing conflict | |
| Close and Conflictual | Parallel + zigzag - fused relationship | |
| Focused On | Arrow toward focus of attention | |
| Abuse | Zigzag with notation - abusive relationship |
Genograms track hereditary and significant health conditions. The quadrant system divides the symbol into sections for different condition categories.
Traditional genogram practice uses shading or filling to indicate health conditions. WebGeno implements its own quadrant-based system for clear visual organization:
| Position | Category | Example Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Top-Left | Cardiovascular | Heart disease, hypertension, stroke |
| Top-Right | Mental / Neurological | Depression, anxiety, bipolar, dementia, ADHD |
| Bottom-Left | Cancer | Breast, colon, lung, prostate, ovarian |
| Bottom-Right | Metabolic / Endocrine | Diabetes, thyroid disorders, obesity |
| Outer Ring | Other Categories | Respiratory, autoimmune, musculoskeletal |
Note: This quadrant layout and outer ring are WebGeno's implementation. WebGeno uses 13 distinct visual patterns (stripes, dots, crosshatch, etc.) to differentiate conditions, ensuring clarity in both color and black-and-white printing. See our features page for details on the 42 predefined conditions.
Genogram symbols are based on established clinical standards:
WebGeno includes all standard symbols with an intuitive interface. Free for core features.
