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Genogram Hostile Relationship Symbol
A hostile relationship is shown as a red jagged line between two people in a genogram. Use it when the relationship has open antagonism, attacks, or sustained hostility that goes beyond ordinary conflict. This guide explains the symbol and how to choose between hostile, conflict, hate, and distant-hostile lines.
Hostile Symbol Example in a Genogram
Hostile Symbol Example in a Genogram
Karen Boyle and her brother, Todd Boyle, can't be in the same room without an open fight breaking out.
In EasyGenogram, the hostile line is directional, so an arrow points from whoever is being antagonistic toward whoever is on the receiving end.
In this case, Karen and Todd are mutually hostile, so the line was added twice, once showing the hostility running from Karen to Todd, and once from Todd to Karen, giving arrows pointing both ways.
Hostile vs. Conflict vs. Distant
- Distant/Poor: single dotted line. Weak connection, not dislike.
- Conflict: double dotted red lines. Active tension, still engaging, but charged.
- Hostile: red jagged line. Open and direct dislike, expressed outright.
Hostile is the most intense of the three.
Where conflict is ongoing friction, hostile relationship is antagonism that's actively expressed, not simmering beneath the surface but visible whenever the two people interact.
Combined Hostile Patterns
Hostility can combine with other dynamics rather than standing alone.
Distant-Hostile and Fused-Hostile are both built into EasyGenogram's emotional line set, for relationships that are low-contact but tense, or over-involved and tense, respectively.
Close-Hostile follows the same logic for relationships that are both intimate and volatile.
How to Add It in EasyGenogram
Select the relationship line between the two people and choose Hostile from the emotional line set.
The line is directional; so the first person you click is the aggressor, and the second person you click is the receiver, so click in that order to match who the hostility is coming from.
If the hostility runs both ways, add the line twice, once in each direction, so both arrows appear.
Hostile Symbol Example in a Genogram
Explore this genogram and adapt it to your needs.
FAQ
What does a hostile relationship line look like on a genogram?
A red jagged line between two people. It represents open, direct antagonism, more intense than the ongoing tension of conflict.
What's the difference between hostile and conflict?
Conflict is ongoing friction where people are still engaging, but it can simmer beneath the surface. Hostile is more intense, active and openly expressed dislike whenever the two people interact.
What's the difference between hostile and cutoff relationships?
Hostile means the people are still in contact, but that contact is antagonistic. Cutoff means there's no contact at all.
What is a close-hostile relationship?
A combined pattern where a relationship is both intimate and volatile at the same time, closeness and open hostility existing together rather than one replacing the other. A couple who are affectionate in public but hostile toward each other at home is a typical example.
Can a hostile relationship become less severe over time?
Yes. If the antagonism eases but tension remains, update the line to Conflict. If contact stops entirely, update it to Cutoff instead.