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.
Gender Symbols
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 |
Life Status Symbols
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 |
Couple Relationship Symbols
Horizontal lines connecting partners to show relationship type and status.
Formal Relationships (thicker 2px lines)
| 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 |
Informal Relationships (thinner 1px lines)
| Line Style | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dating | Committed dating relationship | |
| Casual | Uncommitted relationship | |
| One-Night Stand | Brief encounter | |
| Love Affair | Extramarital or secret relationship |
Relationship Modifiers
| Modifier | Appearance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Single slash / | Separation - couple living apart | |
| Double slash // | Divorce - legally dissolved | |
| X symbol | Widowed - spouse deceased |
Parent-Child Connection Symbols
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") |
Twin Notation
| Notation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Two lines converging to single point | Fraternal Twins - non-identical |
| Converging lines + horizontal bar | Identical Twins - monozygotic |
Emotional Relationship Symbols
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 |
Health Condition Symbols
Genograms track hereditary and significant health conditions. The quadrant system divides the symbol into sections for different condition categories.
WebGeno's Quadrant System
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 47 predefined conditions.
References & Standards
Genogram symbols are based on established clinical standards:
- Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Jason Aronson. - Established foundational genogram concepts
- McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Petry, S. (2008). Genograms: Assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). W. W. Norton. - The primary reference for genogram notation
- Butler, J. F. (2008). The family diagram and genogram: Comparisons and contrasts. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 36(3), 169-180.
- Piasecka, K., Slusarska, B., & Drop, B. (2018). Genograms in nursing education and practice. Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education, 8(6), 640.
Create Genograms with Standard Notation
WebGeno includes all standard symbols with an intuitive interface. Free for core features.