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House Tree Person Drawings

The House-Tree-Person (H-T-P), projective technique developed by John Buck (1948-
Updated in 1969), was originally outgrowth of Goodenough scale utilized to assess intellectual
functioning. Buck felt artistic creativity represented a stream of personality characteristics that
flowed into graphic art. He believed that through drawings, subjects objectified unconscious
difficulties by sketching the inner image of primary process. It can be administered by anyone
above age 3.
Since it was assumed that the content and quality of H-T-P was not attributable to the
stimulus itself, he believed it had to be rooted in the individual’s basic personality. Since the H-T-
P was an outcropping of an intelligence test. Buck developed a quantitative scoring system to
appraise gross classification levels of intelligence along with at qualitative interpretive analysis to
appraise global personality characteristics.
Purpose
Measures aspects of a person’s personality through interpretation of drawings and
responses to questions. Also used to assess IQ of children.
PHASES
Phase 1: test taker is asked to draw pictures with crayons of house, tree and person
respectively on separate sheets of paper and is asked to draw as accurately as possible. Upon
completion, is asked questions about the drawings.
Phase 2: asked to draw same pictures with pencil, similar questions as phase 1 are then
asked.
Variations: 1. Asked to draw 2 persons, 1 from each sex.
2. Asked to draw all 3 pictures on same page.
How to Start…
Use plain paper and give it to the person and say “Here I want you to draw as good a house
as you can”. Questions, give the next sheet. “Draw as good a tree as you can”, questions, give the
next sheet. “Draw as good a person as you can.” (if a profile or head only, say, “wait, I want you
to draw a whole person, not just the head or profile”), you can also use a single sheet to draw house
tree and person.
The child is told to draw a house, a tree, and a person on white paper. The figure gives the
therapist some indication of how the child perceives himself/herself in the world (the figure is
usually considered to be a reflection of the self).
The figure gives the therapist some indication of how the child perceives himself or herself
in the world (the figure is usually considered to be a reflection of the self).
The test takes an average of 40 minutes—1 ½ hour to complete.
● Less time—Normally functioning
● More time—neurologically impaired
The Questions…
Ask questions after the drawing is complete:
● Person
Who are these persons? Which one is male and which one is female? How old are they,
what are their relationships? Tell me about their mood in this picture, are they happy or sad?
What’s their favorite thing to do. What’s something they do not like, has anyone tried to hurt them,
who looks out for them?
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● House
Who lives here, are they happy? Are windows and doors closed or open? What goes on inside,
do people visit here, tell me about the atmosphere of the house, is it happy or sad? What else do
the people in the house what to add to the drawing?
● Tree
What kind of tree is this? How old is it? Is it fresh or dead? What season is it, has anyone tried
to cut it down, what else grows nearby, who waters the tree? Tree needs sunshine to live so does
it get enough sunshine?
For instance, the branches of the Tree overextended upward or outward frequently mirror the
subject’s over striving for achievement. Placing of the windows against the wall of the House so
that the side of the House serves also as one side of the windows implies feelings of insecurity. If
only a part of the person is drawn in a profile view (for example, head in profile, body in front
view), it appears to reflect an evasive attitude in social relations.
Lack of many details, incomplete wholes, and use of very faint lines are a combination found
in subjects who are deeply depressed. A ground line sloping downward and away from the drawn
whole on either side may reflect a feeling of isolation, exposure and helplessness in the face of
environmental pressures.
House interpretations are loosely based on research and on the symbolic meaning of the
aspects of the house. They should hopefully be nurturing places with normal levels of detail and
normal size. Too little and the client may reject family life; too big and they may be overwhelmed
by it.
Lines and walls represent boundaries and strength of the ego, thus weak lines in the structure
of the house are weaknesses in the ego, while strong lines are problems with anxiety and a need to
reinforce boundaries.
The roof symbolized the fantasy life, and extra attention to it can indicate extra attention to
fantasy and ideation, while incomplete, tiny, or burning roofs can indicate avoidance of
overpowering and frightening fantasies (think about fears of ghosts in the attic- these are based on
the association for us).
Windows, doors and sidewalks are all ways that others enter or see into the house, so they
relate to openness, willingness to interact with others, and ideas about the environment. Thus,
shades, shutters, bars, curtains, and long and winding sidewalks indicate some unwillingness to
reveal much about yourself (think about expression like windows to the soul or the door to the
mind). Cars could be signs of visitors coming or people in the home leaving. Lights could be the
signs to welcome visitors or reveal prowlers. Open doors or many windows could mean strong
needs to engage others. Big windows, especially in the bathroom, could be exhibitionist desires.
Psychotics tends to show ground lines (their need for grounding), clear visions of the insides
of the house (they believe their thoughts and mind are open to view by others), strange angles (like
their strange thought processes), or a house on the verge of a collapse (like their ego).
Tree interpretations: indicates person’s growth, vitality and development. The trunk is seen
to represent the ego, sense of self, and the intactness of the personality. Thus heavy lines or
shadings to represent bark indicate anxiety about one’s self, small trunks are limited ego strength,
and large trunks are more strength… (Think about the saying that a tree that bends lasts through
the wind, but one that doesn’t snaps, like the ego that is flexible and healthy lasts through the
world, but the flexible and neurotic ego ends up broken). If Tree slip down the middle, as if they
hit by something can indicate a split personality and serious mental illness.
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Person interpretations: legs and feet are like roots of trees, and represent grounding and
power too. If cut off at the bottom of the paper (think of cutting someone off at the knees) it can
mean loss of autonomy, small feet (inadequate base) can indicate a need for security, while big
feet can indicate the same.
The neck separates the head (cognition) from the body (drives and needs), so no neck is no
separation, long neck is desire for more separation of two, etc…
Mouth is how we get needs met (think Freud and oral stuff), so big or open mouth is neediness,
cupid bow or luscious lips is sexualized needs, closed tight mouth is denial of needs or some
passive aggression, and frowns, sneers and smiles mean with they do in real life. There is limited
support for oral-dependency themes, and more for slash mouths and teeth to be consistent with
verbal aggression.
Genitalia, breasts, etc… are seldom drawn, and indicate sexual concerns and discomfort.
Emphasis on breasts though are not uncommon in prepubescent girls, and both disturbed and non-
disturbed boys emphasized pectorals.
Drawing clowns (hiding face and person), robots (loss of emotions in a psychotic way),
cowboys (masculinized needs), snowmen (rounded bodies, regressive themes), stick man (childish
or regressive themes) etc… can mean what is noted in parenthesis above. Excessive details are
consistent with some obsessiveness when dealing with anxiety, while a marked lack of detail can
indicate withdrawal, low energy, or boredom.
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GENERAL FEATURES INTERPRETATIONS

Placement of drawings on page left Withdrawal, regression, childish, self pre—
placement occupation, rumination over past, impulsivity.
Right placement Environmental preoccupation, anticipation of
future, emotional instability. intellectualize
Central placement Rigidity. Normal, some planning ability
High placement on page Unrealistic striving, fantasizing, frustration.
Greater energy.
Low placement on page Concreteness, depression, insecurity,
inadequacy. Less energy
Edges of paper Bottom: need for support
Side: feelings of restriction
Top: fear of avoidance of environment
Proportions of drawings Large: restrictive environment, tension,
compensation, manic, delusion of grandiosity.
Moderately large: higher level of energy and
self-esteem.
Small: insecurity, withdrawal, discontent, low
self-concept, depression, lack of energy.
Transparencies Depict internal organs.
Psychotic, somatic delusions, manic,
schizophrenia, voyeurism, exhibitionistic.
Shading Represents anxiety.
Shading on specific area shows concern with
that area.
Mild distortion Low self concept, anxiety, and poor adjustment.
Excessive distortion A person who has experience a severe
emotional shock.
Circles, triangles, objects
with middle vertical Vaginal symbols.
line
If damaged, cut broken, impaired Genital inadequacy.
Bareness, minimal details Maladjustment.
Constricted drawings Anxiety and threats (shy, withdrawal and
dependent)
Happy mood Self esteem
Timid line pressure Hesitant, uncertain approach
COLOURS: absence Low vitality, little zest for life, lack of emotional
warmth
Too much emphasize Concern about social status
Bizarre/grotesque Organic dysfunction
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Ground line sloping downward away from the Feelings of isolation, exposure and helplessness
drawn whole on either side in the face of environmental pressure
House and tree might be drawn on the separate If client’s parents have been divorced or having
sides of paper conflict
Savage digging of pencil into paper Aggressive tendencies
Lack of clothing is sometimes found in the The person is an artist/ normal person.
drawing of normal occurs in the drawings of
artist.
Exaggerated, exacted, symmetry, segmentation CEREBRAL DAMAGE
and poor union of the line
Oversimplified and unidimensional
presentation
Omission of details
Excessive pressure and time employed for
drawing
Concrete emphasis
CHROMATIC DRAWING
COLORS Shows emotions of person when he/she is under
stress or pressure color represent emotions

Vitality, burning problems.

1. Red Extroversion, suspenseful situation, warm
2. Orange affect.
Cheerful, anxiety.
3. Yellow Moderate personality growth, healthy ego,
newness.
4. Green
Quite and calm, well controlled emotions.
Anxiety, tension, internalization of fact.
5. Blue Security, fixation, timidity, and guilty.
6. Purple Passive, emptiness, depression.
7. Brown
8. White
Heavy pressure and shading Anxiety, worry and concerns during test
Light pressure Shyness, fearfulness and timidity.
Small figures Anxiety, emotional dependency, feeling
discomfort.
Cartoon figure Internalized hostility
Full face figure Excessive pressure, antisocial personality,
social dependency, neurotic
Rigid posture Dependency
Opposite figure large Opposite sex reviewed as more prominent,
passive.
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Upper left corner drawing Regression

Features primitive Schizophrenic
Mouth omitted on female figure Possible of recalling maternal figure
Sketchy lines Anxiety
Very faint lines Depressed
Heavy thick lines Aggression
House and tree drawn on separate side of the Client’s Parents have been divorced or having
paper conflicts
Drawing tree first Client is concerned with the growth,
development and issues of life and death
(meaning become clearer by considering its
detail for example harmonious, well balanced
and healthy or is it dead or decaying.
Drawing the house first Client is concerned with sense of belonging,
nurturance and bodily needs.
Drawing the person first Provides information about client.
Large person drawn first as compared to other Preoccupation with the self, narcissism or
objects hedonism (pleasure-seeking).
Size of drawing Self-esteem
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HOUSE

HOUSE Represents sense of belonging, nurturance and

stability. It also represents the part of the self
that is concerned with the body/ represents the
client’s mother.
HOUSE size:
Normal level of details and normal size. Nurturing places.
Too little size Rejection of home life, withdrawn tendencies.
Extremely large and dominating size Reflects a view of home as overly restrictive
and controlling. Frustration, aggression, over-
compensatory defenses.
Excessive details Obsessive-compulsive trends
Elongated chimneys Phallic symbol
Triangles, circles, other objects with vertical Vaginal symbols
slits in the middle
Cut/broken/damaged/impaired symbols Genital inadequacy
Outline of the house Concrete thinking
DOORS: Closed Guarded personality/ not very social/
defensiveness.
Missing Insecurity/inaccessibility, isolation.
Open Inner & outer selves are synchronized: need for
warmth.
Large Dependency
Small Inadequacy, indecision
Locked Defensiveness
Emphasis on foundation of house Security feelings
Demarcation of house/rooms Poor interpersonal relationships in the house
Chimney Indicate person’s availability and warmth,
degree of power and masculinity/sexual
concerns.
Missing chimney Passivity, lack of psychological warmth in
person’s home life.

Emphasis Sexual concerns

Normal amount of smoke Accentuate warmth in the home.
Excessive smoke Inner tension, extreme tension, pent up
aggression, emotional instability & conflicts.
Smoke/kitchen Nourishment/oral needs.
Boundary walls Insecurity
Windows open Needs to contact with others, inner and outer
selves and synchronized
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Shows windows in bathroom Exhibitionistic desires

Right side of the page/ little house Not social
Doors & windows Social, shows openness & willingness to
interact with others & ideas about the
environment.
Small windows & doors Might be shy, withdrawn or inaccessible,
suspicious or even hostile.
Absence of windows in combination of several
other features including enlarged hands, Abuse children
absence of feet, and extremely large geometric
features
Large windows in bathroom Exhibitionist desires
Emphasis on windows Social ambivalence
Absence of windows Withdrawal
Many windows Exhibitionism
Open windows Poor ego control
No panes of windows Hostility
Corner of the page Does not give importance to family
Curtains (other accessories) Desire for social status
Emphasis on curtains Withdrawal, evasiveness
Fences Suggests defensiveness
Gutters (emphasized) Defensiveness
Anthropomorphic (quality of face) Shattering/ disintegration of self
Details and size
Too little Rejects family life.
Too big Overwhelming by family life.
Structure of the house/walls
Weak lines Weakness of ego boundaries.
Strong lines Problems of anxiety, needs protection.
Emphasis Effortful ego.
Absent Poor reality contact.
Horizontal emphasis Environmental pressure.
Vertical emphasis Social ambivalence. Poor reality contact,
sexual concerns
Absence Withdrawal.
Many Exhibitionism.
ROOF: Fantasy life, one’s intellectual side.
Roof only Psychosis
Extra attention Extra attention to fantasy and ideation.
Little attention (incomplete, tiny, or burning Avoidance of over powering and frightening
roof fantasies.
Single line Constriction
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Cars Visitors coming/ people in home leaving

Lights Welcomes visitors/ reveal prowlers/ social
Irrelevant details Show sense of insecurity and wants to get
power over his/her environment
Ground lines Psychotic
Clear vision of inside of the house Psychotic
Strange angles Psychotic
House on verge of collapse Psychotic
Pathways Shows openness,
Wants people to come to him and wants
relations.
Wide & lead directly to the doors Client is accessible, open & direct.
No pathways Not social or shares feelings with others,
indicates client may be distant and removed.
Long pathways Someone who initially aloof but who can later
warm up and accessible.
Extremely wide Shows client might initially express superficial
sense of friendliness but later become aloof
and distant.
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TREE

FEATURES INDICATORS
Tree Is concerned with person’s sense of growth,
vitality and development. It also represents
his/her father.
It shows relationship of person with his/her
environment it might reflect a person who has
been broken by external stress.
Age of tree Provides general index of the psychological
age of the person feels
Types of trees
● Winter tree Feels exposed and impress by others.
● Dead tree PTSD victim (external forces) powerlessness
or other influence of environment/severe
disturbance.
● Palm tree Advantageous and defensive.
Goal oriented, do not express their feelings or
● Pine tree
emotions openly.
Realistic trees, not distinct their problems and
● Abstract tree tend to avoid direct confrontation.
Unrealistic thoughts and distorted perception
● Fantasy like tree of the world.

● Fruit or Christmas Dependency and immaturity.

● Wind blown Environment pressures

Excessive details in tree Obsessive compulsive, anxiety.

Lacking details Withdrawal.
Bizarre Psychosis.
Split tree Split ego/psychosis.
One dimensional tree Shattering & disintegration experience of self
Cloud foliage Confused thinking/not very social
Branches
Excessive Compensation, mania
Constituting separate unit Segments & concrete thinking.
Drawing each and every branch on each side Preoccupation with symmetry (obsessive-
compulsive personality).
Very tall Schizoid.
Long branches touching base Need to be touched and accepted
Extending upwards/outwards Over-striking for achievement
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Detached/broken/dead Difficulty reaching out/suicidality, impotence

Small Limited skill
Big Too much reaching out to meet needs
Clubbed shaped/very pointed Aggressiveness
Bent/twisted Twisted in effort to reach out
Cotton wrapped Guilt
Crown
Cloud like Fantasy
Scribbled Liability
Untidy Dangerous
Flat Environmental pressure, denial
Dead Emptiness/hopelessness
Roots Insecurity
Very long/ no base Insecurity feelings.
Over emphasized Excessive concerns with reality.
Dead Feelings of disconnection from reality,
emptiness and despair.
No roots Instable personality/sense of insecurity
Ground line
Tree drawn on ground line Depression, insecurity, inadequacy.
Tree drawn on hill top Grandiosity, isolation.
Wind blow Environmental pressures
Trunk Represents the ego, sense of self, inner
strength.
Broad base Dependency.
Long Regression, inadequacy
Faint sketchy lines Indicate insecurity, passivity.
Small trunk Limited ego strength.
Large trunk More ego strength.
Vertical emphasis Poor reality contact, sexual concerns.
Narrow base Loss of control.
Scars and knotholes Suggests traumatic experiences and the age of
the trauma can be determined by the relative
height of the scar or knothole.
Keyhole Opposition, hostility.
two trees are differently drawn Different ideas at the same time/confusion on
achieving same goals.
Bark Anxiety, depression.
Emphasis Anxiety, depression
Heavy lines represent bark Anxiety about one’s self.
Small Limited ego strength.
Large More ego strength.
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Absence Absence of ego control.

Anthropomorphic (human like) Schizophrenia
Birds Cheerfulness, healthy mental state
Squirrels and small animals ID intrusion into an area free of ego control
Nests Insecurity
Barren tree (fallen/falling trees) Dysphoric mood
Leaves Sign of success of efforts/unattached; failure of
coping mechanisms.
Unattached Failure of coping mechanisms
Large Compensation.
Detached from branches Unpredictable nurturing.
Pointy Aggression.
Too much detail Obsessive-compulsive disorder
knots, twists in woods Part of ego is twisted in an issue
Fruits—apples High need of nurturance/dependency
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PERSON

FEATURES INTERPRETATION
Active same sex figure Hysteric and manic tendency, restlessness
Figure depicted in motion Fantasy activity
Male receiving something from female Maternal dependency
Figure on left side of page Overt behavior
Opposite gender drawn first Gender identification conflict
Male first drawn by female Feminine role (feminine protest), rejection
Maternal figure (old age) Maternal dependency
Older figure than subject Identification with parent of same sex
Younger figure than subject Emotional fixation at the age depicted in the
figure
Full face figure Social accessibility/social communication
Centered drawings Security, emotional and self-centered
Slight/minimal shading Relative freedom from anxiety
Change of detail in drawing Defense against spontaneous reaction
Eraser Anxiety or conflict area
Excessive eraser Indecision, self dissatisfaction
Extreme details Obsessive compulsive defense mechanism
being used
Internal organ shown Schizophrenia
Omission of body parts Conflict related to that part
Little person Feelings of inferiority complex
Inaccuracy of proportion Pathology
Facial features
Omitted or light Withdrawal
Emphasis Compensatory social domination
Profile Paranoia
Animal or bizarre Psychosis
Shading or other than skin color Severe psychopathology
Belt Sexual conflict, control over sexual behavior
Waistline Sexual conflict
Breasts Immaturity
Side pose/half portion He do not want to expose his personality
Belt/buckles Dependency
Buttons Dependency, immaturity, inadequacy
Button in the middle Somatic preoccupation, maternal dependency
Buttons on clothing over breast of a figure Affectional deprivation
Buttons on cuffs Obsessiveness
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Buttons on heart Regression

Emphasis on clothes Excessive need for social approval & lack of
depth
Ghoulish tone Anger
Caricatured Distorted self image
Cigarette Sexual preoccupation
Clothing carefully represented Ego centric and over concern for material
criteria for social status, immature.
Nudity Signs of maladjustment particularly related to
sexual difficulties
Under clothed drawing Body narcissism and possibly a person who is
self absorbed to the point of being schizoid
Clothing detail elaboration of same sex Homosexual traits
Collar tight Problem with control of anger
Pockets Affectional deprivation and maternal
dependency
Pockets several by male o male figure Passive compulsive
Shoe laces Obsessive compulsive
Tie Masculine striving or sexual inadequacy
Clothes transparent Voyeurism, primitive sexual behavior
V neckline on female drawn by male subject Breast fixation voyeurism
Head Intellectual ability, rationality
Head dim Self conscious and shy
Head large Regression, grandiosity
Head drawn last Conflict over interpersonal relations
Head enlarged Intellectual aspirations
Head irregular or unattached Psychosis
Head back only Paranoia
Head small Inadequacy
Disturbed/omitted Distorted self image
Head empty, bag like Anger
Head disproportionate, small/large Retarded, organics, schizophrenia
Head large (non-pathologic) Strict rational control
Head disproportionate (non-pathologic) Impulsivity
Feet and hands dim or omitted Schizoid
Geometric rendition of feet Arbitrary perceptual tendency to over-abstract
and rely on magical signs.
Feet and legs drawn first Depression and discouragement
Feet omitted Discouragement, abused child
Doubling feet Conflict in sexual areas/ aggression/ insecurity
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Feet omitted or chopped Helplessness, loss of autonomy, sexual

concerns
Feet small/big Need for security
High heels Immaturity
Pointed toes Aggressive type/ sexuality impotent
Emphasis on toes and feet Sexual perversion/fetish tendencies
Hands Productivity
Hands emphasized Externalized aggression
Hands dim Lack of confidence in productivity.
Hands; Geometric rendition Arbitrary perceptual tendency to over abstract
and rely on magical signs
Fingers omitted or overextended Guilt
Fingers articulated carefully and cut of by line Repressed regression
Claw like fingers Overt aggression and paranoid
Fingers grape like Immaturity and infantile traits, retarded,
unskilled
Very long fingers Shallow emotionality/emotional instability
Fingers; shaded/jointed Guilt/vicious aggressive feelings
Fingers with joints and nails carefully Obsessive, control of aggression
indicated
Nails (emphasis) Narcissistic trends
Closed fists Aggression
Spread fingers Open aggression
Fingers large Assaultiveness
Wrist close to body Inner directed aggression
Wrist away from body Aggression towards others/ channelized to get
power
Hands hidden/gloved Anxieties/ anti-social tendencies
Hands shaded Anxiety, over difficulty with interpersonal
relation, guilt, aggression.
Hands/fingers mitten Repressed regression
Fingers spiked Acting out
Pointed fingers or balled fists Aggression
Fingers less than five or more than five Dependency and helplessness
Fingers long Overt aggression
Fingers more than five Aggression and ambitious
Fingers with no hand Assertiveness, intentional, infantile aggression.
Finger petals like Immaturity
Fasten, chained or closed Rebellion
Arms close to body Tension
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Expansion of arms Desire to be prominent

Arms emphasis High need for achievement, aggression,
punishment if person drawn is not self.
Arms elongated Phallic symbol
Arms cut/broken /impaired Genital inadequacy
Arms turned into arrows Anger
Arms crossed Personal problems
Arms open Aggression
Arms closed Defensiveness
Arms disconnected Powerlessness
Difference in length Conflict in inhibiting some abilities
Arms extended from body External aggression, deterministic element of
personality
Arms folded Rejecting maternal or parental figure of
opposite sex
Arms heavy shaded on opposite sex Opposite sex viewed as punishing
Arms long Ambitious for accomplishment or overt
aggression
Arms long and weak Dependency and nurturance
Arms long and powerful Need for autonomy
Arms omitted Guilt, depression or withdrawal, inadequacy,
rejection
Arms wing like Schizoid
Arms pressed to sides Difficulty in social contact and fear of
aggressive impulse
Arms short Lack of ambition
Arms thin and weak Lack of achievement
Legs and arms of male figure large Assaultiveness, violent attack
Legs long Need of autonomy
Legs elongated Phallic symbol
Legs cut/broken/impaired Genital inadequacy
Legs turned into arrows Anger
Legs very thin/fat Insecure, dependent
Strong legs Support in crises
Legs omitted/shrunken or chopped Discouragement and withdrawal, helplessness,
loss of autonomy
Narrow stance Rigidity, tension
Wide stance Aggression
Floating stance Insecurity, dependency
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Difference in direction of legs Not goal-directed/does not give full attention

to the task
Angular stocks Aggression, criticality, masculinity
Circular stokes Dependency, femininity, dependency and
emotionality
Few curves, very sharp edges Aggressive, poorly adjusted
Rounded lines Feminine
Straight lines Aggressiveness
Drawing near margins It means dependency, lack of self confidence
High on page Optimism
Low on page Depression
Middle Aggression
Left on page Self oriented, introversion, overt behavior,
tension
Right on page Environment oriented or extrovert
Below midpoint drawing Depressive mood or feelings of inadequacy
Centered drawing Emotional, self-centered
Elevation of drawing above midpoint Aloofness, (isolate), fantasy rather than reality
satisfaction.
Feet on base of page Need for stability because of disturbance
produced by conflict.
Large figure shifted to left Aggressive psychopaths with feelings of
inadequacy
Faint lines Neurotic, apprehensive, catatonics and chronic
schizophrenia
Firm lines Ambition and drives
Fluctuating pressure Impulsive and unstable
Drawing opposite sex first Sexual identification, conflicts, strong
attachment or dependency upon parent of
opposite sex
Shading Anxiety, aggression, conflict
Decreased size of figure Anxiety (it is more common in men over 30
and women over 40
Large same sex figure Aggressive
Large opposite sex figure Opposite sex viewed as more powerful
Small same sex figure face Feeling of inadequacy
Dim face Shy
Eye brows bushy Childish, immature, impulsive tendencies,
Uninhabited/isolated
Eye brows curved Disdain (feelings of superiority), proud,
arrogant
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Eye brows trimmed Haughtiness, refinement

Eye lashes Sexual conflict
Chin enlarged Aggressive drive
Chin emphasized on opposite sex Dependency on opposite sex, fear of
responsibility, indecision.
Eyes disturbed/omitted Distorted self image
Eyes circle/closed Egocentricity/flight from reality
Eye circled with no pupil Ego centric, immature and regression,
communication difficulty, poor reality contact
Eyes dots Infantile behavior, limited vision, rigidity
Eyes Pupil-less Communication difficulty (typical of
schizophrenics)
Eye dot with pressure or unenclosed Ideas of reference and paranoia
Eye emphasized Paranoia, Externalized aggression, ideas of
reference (pathology); sensitivity to criticism
& social approval, violent.
Eye prominent Assertiveness, assaultiveness
Hollowed eye Anger
Eyes small Introversion, Self-absorption, and voyeuristic
tendency
Eyes closed Schizoid
Eyes large with no pupil Voyeuristic tendency with guilt
Large open eyes Suspicious
Eyes and eyelashes large Homosexuality
Facial expression It may express attitude, subject feels other
people have towards him.
Mouth absent Communication difficulty, oral aggression
Mouth open Neediness
Mouth full open or oval Dependency
Lack of facial expression (mannequin, dummy Poor interpersonal relationship
type)
Lips emphasis; tightly closed Immaturity, oral fixation
Lips tightly closed Rigidity, non-receptivity
Lips open Receptive
Teeth Aggression
Mouth claw like Inappropriate feeling
Mouth concave Passive tendency
Mouth heavily lined Oral aggression or sadism
Breasts; emphasis Problems in sexual sphere, prepubescent girl.
Other genitalia Sexual concerns & discomfort
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Both disturbed and non-disturbed boys Emphasis pectorals

Ear absent Self criticism/can’t bear criticism
Ears emphasis Ideas of references/sensitivity to social
approval & criticism
Ear large Paranoid, auditory hallucinations, sensitivity to
criticism.
Distorted ears Sensitive to social criticism, sensitive to social
approval
Ears small Can’t bear criticism
Mouth omitted on female subject Possible scolding by maternal figure
Nose broad, flat, hook like Disapproving attitude, contemplated attitude.
Nose elongated (only protruding organ of face) Phallic symbol
Nose cut/broken/impaired Genital inadequacy
Distorted nose/less emphasis on nose Weak ego power
Nose emphasis Sexual concern, impulsivity
Nose large Melancholia, involution monophobia
(depression in old age—a person have a feeling
of reproduction offspring)
Nostrils Primitive aggression
Teeth shown Oral aggression and sadistic
Neck Rational control and impulsivity
Adam’s apple Muscularity striving
Neck excessively large Awareness of physical impulses with an effort
to control them
Pains to perfect the neck Conflict in rational control & impulsivity
Neck emphasis Need for control
Neck missing Lack of impulse control, no separation between
cognitions; drives and needs, impulsivity,
regression, immaturity
Neck short/thick Self indulged, inhibited
Long neck Desire for more separation between cognitions;
drives and needs/ schizoid personality,
problems in control of anger.
Neck long and thin Inhibition and repression
Shoulders: broad & athletic Normal in adolescents, but not in adults
Emphasis Hostility
Drooping shoulders Dejection/ feeling of guilt.
Posture
Lying down Dependency
Imbalance (falling) Loss of personality equilibrium
Support by something Dependency
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Kinesthetic impression Impending schizophrenic breakdown

Omission of body parts/side pose Don’t want to face reality
Segmentation of body parts Cerebral damage
Stick like, peanut shape Childish, Secretiveness, concrete thinking
Fluid formless Faded ego boundaries
Blurred outline Massive deterioration
Egyptian figures Long since dead person, distant in time &
place
Upper and lower part of body regressed to non- Anger, regressive themes
specific circles (snowman)
No arms, feet, legs and hands Withdrawal from reality/ interpersonal
difficulty
Opposite sex figure larger Distorted self-image
If male figure athletic Threat to ego, compensated by athletic quality
Extensive shading of figure of self Greater anxiety concerned with self
Clowns Hiding face and person
Robots Loss of emotions in psychotic way
Cowboys Masculinized needs
Hair emphasis or omitted Sexual concerns, infantile or regressed sex
desires
Hair given much attention Narcissism (self-love), possible homosexual
tendency.
Hair parallel in middle Feminine identification and obsessions
compulsive mechanism.
Beard, moustache and other facial hair on male Sexual inadequacy
subject
Hair on female not on male Regression
Facial scar on same female figure May indicate expectation of aggression from
environment, impaired reflection.