Genograms go beyond family trees by mapping relationships, health patterns, and emotional connections across generations. To make them clear and meaningful, it’s important to follow standard genogram rules—like using the right symbols, lines, and structure. This guide breaks down those rules in a simple, practical way to help you create accurate and insightful genograms.
1. Use standard shapes for individuals
In a genogram, each person is shown with a simple shape—and using the right genogram symbols matters. A square stands for a male, a circle for a female, and a diamond for someone whose gender is unknown or non-binary. These shapes are more than just symbols—they’re a shared language that helps anyone reading the genogram quickly understand who’s who. When you use these standard shapes, you’re making your family map not only clearer but also more respectful and inclusive of everyone’s identity.
2. Indicate life status
A genogram isn’t just about who’s in the family—it’s also about their stories. One small but important detail is showing whether someone is living or has passed away. To do this, draw a cross through the person’s shape (square, circle, or diamond) if they’re deceased. It’s a simple mark, but it adds depth to the genogram by showing the passage of time and helping others understand the full picture of the family’s history.
3. Follow proper relationship lines
In a genogram, relationships aren’t just listed—they’re drawn. The lines between people show how they’re connected, so it’s important to use them the right way. A solid horizontal line between two people means they’re married or in a committed relationship. A single slash through the line shows separation, and a double slash means divorce. These lines tell part of each person’s life story—who they loved, who they lived with, and how those relationships may have changed. Using the correct lines helps others read your genogram clearly and respectfully.
4. Show children in birth order from left to right
In a genogram, the order of children matters—it helps tell the story of how a family has grown over time. Always place children from left to right in the order they were born, with the oldest on the left and the youngest on the right. This might seem like a small detail, but it gives important context about family dynamics, responsibilities, and roles that can shape relationships. Keeping birth order clear makes your genogram more accurate and helps others understand the flow of the family’s history.
5. Use different lines for types of relationships
Families aren’t just about who’s related—they’re about how people relate to each other. In a genogram, different kinds of lines show emotional connections between people. For example, a solid line might show a close bond, a dashed line can mean distance, and a zigzag line often represents conflict. These lines help tell the emotional side of the story—the feelings, tensions, and closeness that can’t be seen in a family tree. Using the right lines helps others truly understand the family dynamic, not just the structure.
6. Represent twins with angled lines
Twins have a special place in many families, and genograms show that clearly. To represent twins, draw two lines coming from the same point at an angle, almost like the letter “V.” If the twins are identical, connect their lines with a horizontal bar. If they’re fraternal, just leave the lines unconnected. This small visual difference says a lot—it not only shows they were born at the same time, but also whether they share the same genetics. It’s a simple way to reflect a unique bond within the family story.
7. Position parents correctly
In a genogram, how you place the parents matters for clarity. Place the male parent (father) on the left and the female parent (mother) on the right of the family unit. This arrangement is a traditional convention that makes it easier to follow and understand family structures at a glance. It’s a small detail, but it helps create a consistent flow, so anyone looking at the genogram can instantly recognize which parent is which. It’s about keeping things simple and organized for clear family storytelling.
8. Assume male-female relationships by default
When creating a genogram, you might encounter situations where the relationship between two people isn’t clear. In these cases, assume a male-female relationship unless you know otherwise. This is a general guideline to help keep things straightforward, but it’s important to adjust if you have more specific information. By doing this, the genogram remains easy to understand, while still allowing for flexibility if the details change. It’s about striking a balance between simplicity and accuracy in representing family connections.
9. Order spouses sequentially
When a person has had multiple marriages or relationships, it’s important to show them in the right order. Arrange spouses from left to right, starting with the first partner on the left and moving to the right with each subsequent union. This helps tell the story of someone’s life in a clear, chronological way, showing the flow of relationships over time. It’s a visual timeline that helps others understand the progression of relationships, giving more context to the family history.
10. Place children in birth order
In a genogram, the order in which children are listed matters. Place the children from left to right, starting with the oldest on the left and moving to the youngest on the right. This reflects the natural flow of time and gives a clear picture of the family’s growth. By following birth order, you make it easier for others to understand the family’s structure and the relationships between siblings. It’s a simple but powerful way to show how each child fits into the family story.
11. Indicate life events with dates
To give more depth to a genogram, it’s helpful to include important life events like birth and death dates. Display these dates above the person’s symbol to show when significant events happened in their life. This helps create a clear timeline, showing not just who’s in the family, but when they were born or passed away. Adding dates brings chronological clarity to the genogram, allowing anyone reading it to better understand the family’s history and how different generations relate to each other.
12. Clearly label adopted and foster children
Families can be formed in many different ways, and a genogram should show all the important details. To indicate an adopted child, use a dashed line connecting them to their parents. For foster children, use a dotted line instead. These lines help make clear the unique paths that these family members have taken, showing that family isn’t just about biology—it’s about connection, care, and love. Labeling adopted and foster children this way helps others understand their story and the different bonds they share within the family.
13. Include a legend or key
A genogram can have a lot of symbols and lines, and it’s important to make sure everyone can understand them. That’s where a legend or key comes in. It’s like a guide that explains what each shape, line, and symbol means. Whether it’s for showing relationships, life status, or emotional connections, the key helps others quickly grasp the story your genogram is telling. Think of it as a map for your family’s history—it ensures that the meaning behind every symbol is clear to anyone reading it.
14. Use consistent formatting
When creating a genogram, keeping everything consistent is key. This means using the same shapes, lines, and layout throughout. Whether you’re showing relationships, generations, or life events, consistency helps keep the genogram clear and easy to follow. If the shapes for males, females, and children are always the same, or the lines for close relationships are always solid, it’s much easier for others to read and understand the family story. Consistency brings order to what could otherwise become a confusing mess, ensuring that the genogram is both accurate and visually accessible. Ensure that lines representing relationships do not overlap or intersect confusingly; adjust spacing as needed.
15. Limit each generation to one row
In a genogram, it’s important to keep each generation in a single horizontal row. This makes the family structure clear and easy to follow. By keeping siblings, parents, and grandparents aligned in their respective rows, you create a visual flow that shows how each generation connects to the next. This small rule helps avoid clutter and confusion, allowing anyone reading the genogram to quickly see the relationships between different family members. It’s all about keeping things simple and organized, so the story of your family is easy to understand at a glance.
Conclusion: Genogram Rules
Creating a genogram is a meaningful way to understand your family’s history, relationships, and patterns. By following these genogram rules, you ensure your family map is accurate, easy to read, and insightful. Whether you’re using it for personal reflection, therapy, or research, knowing the right symbols, lines, and formats makes all the difference in telling the true story of your family. Remember, the goal is to make the connections clear, the information meaningful, and the family dynamics easier to understand.
References
Cuartas Arias, J.M. (2019). Genogram: tool for exploring and improving biomedical and psychological research. International Journal of Psychological Research, 10(2), p.6. doi:https://doi.org/10.21500/20112084.3177.
www.sciencedirect.com. (n.d.). Genogram - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/genogram.
FAQs About Genogram Rules
What is the purpose of following genogram rules?
Do I have to use all the genogram rules?
How do I handle ambiguous relationships in a genogram?
Can I update my genogram over time?
Why is birth order important in genograms?
Why should I include a legend or key?
