INTERPRETING HUMAN FIGURE

DRAWING MANUAL
HFD test requires the subject to draw a human figure. The results are based on psychodynamic
interpretation of the details of the drawing such as the size, shape and complexity of the facial
features, clothing and background of the figure.

MOTIVATION FOR DRAWING

Acceptance of task with minimal protest
Good initial performance followed by obvious
fatigue and discontinuation of task
Inability to complete drawing, marked paucity
of details
Parental figure than self
Refusal or reluctance to draw figure of
opposite sex
Resistance to drawing figure
Decreased pace & productivity as drawing
continues
Extreme discontinuity in drawing (as head ,
then feet, shoulders, then legs etc)
Depression
depression
Significant depression
Children also adults preoccupied with past
who are unable to emancipate themselves
from their parents
Sexual role conflict or confusion
Evasion of problems, reluctance to reveal
self
Fatigability , possibly associated with
depression
Psychopathology of intent kind

PROGNOSIS
Normal succession in drawing Absence of thought disorder, adequate reality
contact
Persistence in the drawing despite difficulty Good prognosis
Obese patient draws slim figure Improved prognosis, success treatment
Less pathological drawing Good prognosis
Less pathological suggested by drawing than Improved prognosis
by Rorschach
Pathological drawing , less pathological Latent severe pathology
Rorschach
More pathology suggested by drawing than Less favorable prognosis
by Rorschach
SYMMETRY
Excessive symmetry Depressed state, paranoid, intellectualization,
obsessive compulsive
Well depicted features Alcoholics
Disturbed symmetry In coordination, feeling of inadequacy
Off balance figure Pre schizophrenia possibility
Organ shown, internal and external Schizophrenia
Organ shown (internal anatomy) Somatic delusions
Sex organ shown Schizophrenia, professional artist ,situational
states (analysands)
Knuckle emphasized Schizophrenia
Detailing over symmetrical drawings, compulsivity
reworking with addition of excessive details
Joint to knuckle emphasis Psychosexual immaturity
Joint emphasized Schizoid, withdrawal schizophrenia
Symmetrical drawing Compulsivity
Joints carefully depicted Compulsive body image problem as in early
schizophrenia
Nude figure with sexual parts Rebellion against sexual mores
Angular body Aggressive tendencies, criticality
Area depicted as broken ,cut damaged or Feeling of emasculation anxiety or masculine
otherwise impaired insufficiency
Distortion of that part Conflict relative to that part
Omission of that part Conflict relative to that part
Lack of symmetry Insecurity

FEATURES
Transparencies Breaks in judgment
Figure for a part in drawing a family picture Lack of closeness in family situation
Type of person drawn Ideal self perception of others, self portrait
Facial expression self occupied Schizoid
Entertaining facial expression Conception of self as dependent, helpless,
insignificant
Mask like features Cautious, feelings of body disorganization,
secretiveness
Facial expression Prevailing attitude and mood
Confusion of full face & profile (profile: Schizophrenia, mental retardation, mental
forehead, nose full face, eyes& mouth defective, primitive cultural origin
Figure depicted in motion Fantasy activity
Seated figure Inhibition/ inhibited subject
Dim features Withdrawal , timidity
 Cartoon figure or clown Adolescents with feeling of adequacy &
rejection, dissatisfaction with self ,
internalized hostility ,self contempt
Puppet Compliance, Feeling of domination by others
Below midpoint drawings Depressed mood
Features overemphasized Inadequacy with compensatory fantasy
Primitive features Regressed schizophrenic , shrunken ego
Features child like Infantile social behavior
Well depicted features Senile patients
Unkempt figure , disheveled Felt lack of status
Stick figure in subject capable of more Exhibitionism or exhibitionistic tendency ,
advanced drawing secretiveness
Stylistic drawing as caricatured ,simplified Secretiveness
Features effeminate Homosexual trend
Sexual anatomy area distorted or omitted Sexual conflict
Abstract or stick figure Self distrustfulness , may express evasion or
negativism , insecurity
Slim figure Improved prognosis for successful treatment
of obesity
Small features Anxiety
Body emphasized Apprehensive neurotics, neurosis
Profile figure Defensive restriction of activity
Facial expression placating Insecurity
Apologetic of drawings Lack of confidence
Indeterminate Lack of perseverence

SIZE & MARGIN

Tiny figure with well defined features Alcoholic, Involutional patient, senile patient
Large figure shifted to left Aggressive psychopath with feelings of
inadequacy
Left side drawing egocentric
Large figure Antisocial personality, narcissism , paranoid
large drawing Grandiosity
Figure micrographic with detail shading Deep depression
Low on page drawing Depression
Drawing near margin Dependency , lack of confidence

Figure miniscule Feeling of insignificance or lack of worth

Large centered figure Manic tendency, paranoid grandiosity
Features primitive , tiny Schizophrenia, regressed schizophrenia
Drawing that fills the page Compensatory fantasy , aggrandizement
Figure miniscule Constriction
Long figure regression
Upper left corner drawing Regression
Tiny drawing Withdrawal, emotional dependence , Feeling
of inadequacy
Decreased size of figure more common in Age factor in figure size
men over 30 & women over 40
Peanut man exhibition
Figure too large for page Aspiration exceeds opportunities, environmental
viewed as excessively constraining
Small figures Emotional dependence , feeling of discomfort
& restriction , anxiety , insecurity
Off balance figure Pre schizophrenic possibility
Tiny figures Withdrawal schizophrenic, Involutional
patients , shrunken ego
Centered drawing Egocentricity (children as subject)
Figure micrographic Deep depression, neurotic depression
Middle of page drawing Aggressive tendencies
Below midpoint drawing Depressed mood
Left side of page figure Tension
High on page figure Unrealistic euphoria , insecurity
Emphasis on circles in depicting body submissiveness

FIGURE DRAWN FIRST

Drawing of male first (female subject)
Hands drawn last
Feet & legs drawn first
Drawing opposite sex first
Female protest , feminine role rejection
Conflict over interpersonal relations, thought
disorder possibly
Depression , discouragement
Strong attachment to or dependency on parent
or person of opposite sex, sexual role conflict
or confusion

STROKES
Horizontal strokes Weakness , Feminine tendency
Circular strokes Dependency, lack of assertion
Short strokes Impulsivity, anxiety
Indeterminate vacillating stroke Insecurity ,lack of perseverance
Length of strokes movement Inhibition (inhibited subjects)
Right to left strokes , unbroken Isolation
Length of stroke movement decreases Excitable subject
Right to left strokes Isolation
Circular strokes Feminine tendency
Rhythmic stroking Uninhibitedness
Constricted stroking Withdrawal , tension
Short sketchy strokes Anxiety
Strokes away from subject Aggressive tendencies
Left to right strokes Need for help or support

DETAILING
Change of details in drawing Change is a defense against spontaneous
reaction to situation as symbolized by detail
first depicted
Minute detailing Constriction
Excessive detail Obsessive compulsive
Marked paucity of details Significant depression
Bizarre details Schizophrenia
Inadequate detailing Obsessive compulsive
Other unnecessary detailing Obsessive compulsive
Figure with micrographic, with details Neurotic depression

PRESSURE ON LINES
Fluctuating pressure Cyclothymic , unstableness
Midline emphasized Dependency, schizoid , conversion or somatic
preoccupation
Varied pressure Emotional instability, impulsivity, deep
depression, anxiety, cyclothymic
Light line pressure Constriction, low energy, feeling of
insignificance or lack of worth
Straight lines Aggressive tendencies
Jagged lines Hostility
Faint lines Low energy, apprehensive neurosis,
depression, catatonics, chronic schizophrenia
Very faint lines Inadequacy schizophrenia
Heavy thick lines Depersonalization fears, aggressive
tendencies
Midline emphasis Insecurity
Rounded lines Feminine tendency
Short line Uncertainty
Broken lines Anxiety, conflict area
Disconnected lines Psychotic tendency
Ground line Need for help or support , insecurity
Sketchy lines Anxiety , timidity , uncertainty
Uneven line pressure Anxiety ,insecurity
Fading lines Hysteric tendency
 Fluctuating line Tension
Thin elongated line Tension
Curvilinear line interrupted Indecisiveness
Combination firm heavy & light lines Assaultiveness
Reinforced line Conflict area , insecurity
Body line reinforced Egocentrism, schizoid, isolation,
depersonalization fears
Reinforced lines outlining figure, unbroken Isolation
Bodyline heavy Apprehensive neurotics, neurosis
,depersonalization fear
Dim body line or nobody Compensatory defenses, feelings of anxiety or
of inferiority relative to body functions
,timidity
Measurement lines or stick frame Perfectionism , Feelings of masculine
insufficiency & lack of virility
Reinforced lines, particularly with reference Repression, anxiety
to area reinforced
Emphasize on curves in depicting body Narcissism
Elevation of drawing above midline Fantasy rather than reality satisfactions
Round curves Sexual inadequacy
Few curves, many sharp edges Aggressive tendencies
Heavy pressures Antisocial personality, epileptics, organicity,
retardates, aggressive tendencies, extreme
tension
Excessive pressure Paranoid, organicity (including retardates)
Pressure variation Neurotic depression
Vaned pressure, body line reinforced Explosive personality (emotional instability)
Figure depicted in motion Fantasy activity

SHADING
Shading Conflict area , aggressive tendencies , anxiety
Smudgy shading Psychotic tendency & erotic interests
With detail shading Deep depression
Full bodies with shaded or thin legs
Shading in sexual area Anxiety related to sexual function

ERASURES
Erasures Neurotic tendency possibly, deep depression,
neurotic depression, restlessness, anxiety
,conflict area
Excessive erasures Dissatisfaction with self , indecisiveness
Infrequent erasures Regression
AGE OF FIGURE
Younger then subjects age
Older than the subjects age
GENDER OF FIGURE
Same sex figure, nude & carefully rendered
Opposite sex figure (longer )
Active same sex figure
Emphasis Characteristics ( female subject sis
on female
Female characteristics overstressed
Female characteristics under emphasized
(female subject)
Maternal figure rather than female sex object Maternal dependency
Back to male figure to observer (male subject) Desire to be a woman, feminine identification
Balding male figure, hair white on male
figure, or other masculine details
Body of lower area of female visible through Involutional sex problem (male subject)
transparent skirt
Idealized nude figures
Tiny same sex figure
Body omitted
Hip emphasis on male figure (male subject)
Female sex characteristics underemphasized
,female subject
Reclining or seated same sex figure
Small same sex figure
Facial scars on same sex figure
Immaturity ,emotional fixation at age
depicted, or wish to return to youth
Identification with parent of same sex
Body narcissism, egocentrism, immaturity
Passive trend possibly, opposite figure viewed
as more powerful
Hysteric tendency, manic tendency,
restlessness, pressure for motor activity
Aggressive use of sexual characteristics, more
extensive sex experience to promiscuity
possibly, unsatisfying erotic experience
More excessive experiences up to promiscuity
possibly (female subject) , unsatisfying erotic
experience ,female subject
Constricted erotic response (women)
Limited sexual experience, somatic sexual
dysfunction possibly
( men)
Feelings of masculine insufficiency& lack of
virility
Voyeuristic tendency
Conception of self as dependent, helpless,
insignificant
Primitive character structure
Homosexual trend
Limited sexual experience
Emotional exhaustion
Feeling of inadequacy
Possible expectation of aggression from
environment ,possible symbolization of
psychic trauma , impaired self esteem
 POSTURE
Stiff posture Rigid emotional controls
Rigid posture Constriction ,defensiveness , defensive
restriction of activity , lack of assertion
Stand tight, rigid posture Schizoid, constriction, defensiveness,
defensive restriction of activity
Doodling with subjects name Narcissism , egotism
Robot for male figure (male subject ) Depersonalization
Body distortions Psychotic tendencies
Sitting on edge of chair Loneliness , mistrust
Disheveled unkempt figure Low self esteem

FACE
Face dim Self consciousness, shyness
Full face figure Exhibitionism or exhibitionistic tendency,
social dependency
Face turned toward page so that back of head Withdrawal
shows
Full face body Social anxiety with need for contact
Full face view Social communication

HAIR
Hair given much attention Narcissism , homosexual trend
Hair on jaws schizoid
Hair emphasis with heavy shading Anxiety over sexual needs possibly
Beard, moustache, other facial hair Doubts about virility with compensatory
virility striving
Hair parted in middle , head splited Feminine identification dealt with by
narcissism and obsessive compulsive
mechanism
Hair emphasized Infantile or repressed sex drives, virility
symbol, sensuality or sensual needs
Unpressured hair Inadequate virility
Hair mussed Sexual acting out (sexual immorality)
Hair reinforced Assaultiveness
EAR
Emphasized ,enlarge
Ear large (children as subject)
Schizoid , auditory hallucinations, paranoid,
ear injury or hearing disability, passive
homosexual tendency, ideas of reference,
sensitivity to attitude of others
Sensitivity to criticism

HEAD
Head malformed Organicity
Head enlarged Somatic head symptoms, fantasy preoccupied,
emphasis on fantasy (child as subject) ,concern
about sufficiency of intellect (brain damage or
retarded) , pride over intellect , intellectual
aspiration (with possible grandiosity) , over
ideational subject
Profile head Social anxiety with need for contact
Head clearly indicated Feeling of anxiety or of inferiority relative to
body functions
Head emphasized on opposite sex Opposite sex viewed as smarter or as
possessing greater social authority

EYES
Eyebrow bushy Uninhibitedness
Trim eyebrows Disdain
Eyes as circle , no pupil Egocentrism, immaturity, hysteric, regression
Closed eyes schizoid
Small eyes Self absorption, voyeuristic tendency
Eyes a dot with pressure , Paranoid , ideas of reference
Long lashes Seductiveness, self display
Eyes and lashes large Homosexual trend
Large eyes Voyeuristic tendency with guilt
Eye emphasized Aggression externalized or overt
Eyes prominent & reinforced assaultiveness
Lashes on male Homosexual trend
Enlarged & emphasized eye Paranoid

NOSE
Broad , flared, hooked nose Tendency to think of social stereotypes
Strong nose Masculine assertion or need for it
Nose cut off Castration fears & wishes
Nose shaded Castration which may projected in opposite sex
Nose large Involutional patient , sexual impotency, felt
inadequate male role in adolescents, with
striving for adequate male role
Nostrils Primitive aggression

MOUTH
Teeth well defined Aggressive tendencies
Emphasized mouth Alcoholism, possible regression
Concave mouth Dependency ,passive dependent
Mouth markedly full, open or oval Dependency, oral dependency ,eroticism
Heavy lines on mouth Passive ,oral aggression, sadism
Open mouth Orality
Mouth omitted Asthmatic
Mouth omitted on female figure Scolding maternal figure possibly
Mouth clown like Forced amiability, inappropriate affect
Teeth well defined Aggressive tendencies
Single line mouth Passive & oral aggression, simple
schizophrenia
Teeth shown Passive & oral aggression, simple
schizophrenia, sadism

NECK
Neck omission Regression
Neck omitted Immaturity , lack of impulse control
Neck long Schizoid, hysterical swallowing inhibition,
inhibition , problem with control of anger or
primitive drives
Short & thick neck Self indulgence, uninhibited impulse
expression
Narrow neck Depressed state
Neck emphasis Need for defensive intellectual control
(children as subject)
Thin neck Repression
Adam’s apple Sexual role conflict or confusion
Neck excessively large Awareness of physical impulses with effort to
control them,
HANDS & ARMS
Hands of female figure in pelvic area (male Female regarded as sexually rejecting
subject)
Hands in pockets Antisocial personality, guilt , lack of
confidence
Hands dim Lack of confidence in productivity or social
contact
Hands behind back Lack of confidence
Hands omitted Inadequacy , withdrawal, repressed aggression
Feet & hands dimmed or omitted Schizoid
Nackle emphasized Schizoid , maternal dependency
Hands hidden Difficulty with interpersonal relations,
Hands extended behind back in anal areas Homoerotic conflicts
Hands omitted on female figure Maternal figure regarded as rejecting ,
unsupportive & unloving
Hands on genital area Autoeroticism
Hands emphasized Aggression externalized or overt
Hands large Compensation with felt guilt, or felt weakness
Hands shaded Affectional deprivation, anxiety over
masturbating guilt or anxiety over
interpersonal relations, guilt over aggression
Powerful hands Aggressive tendencies
Hands omitted Inadequacy ,withdrawal ,assaultivness
Ankles & wrist small Feminine tendency
Arms reinforced Assaultiveness
Arms pressed to sides Difficulty in social contact
Arms over extended , reaching Desires for affection , aggression externalized
or overt
Arms extended from body & over long Aggression externalized or overt
Arms close to body Tension
Two dimensional arms Eight years of age
Large arms Assaultiveness
Arms pressed to sides Difficulty in social contact, fear of aggressive
impulses , passively as defense against
aggressive impulses
Arm connected to trunk rather than head Six years of age
Arms dangling by sides Conception of self as dependent , helpless,
insignificant
Arms of male figure large Assaultiveness
Arms out with fists clenched Aggressive tendencies
Armless figure of male (male subject ) Strong sexual desire associated with guilt, wish
to be castrated
Arms & legs distortion Sexual role conflict or confussion
Arms heavy , shaded on opposite sex Opposite sex vied as punishing
Arms omitted Depression, helplessness, assaultiveness, guilt,
withdrawal
Weak arms over extended Dependency, asthmatic , nurturance needs
Long arms Dependent , aggression externalized or overt
Arms omitted or short arms on opposite sex Rejection by maternal or parental figure of
opposite sex
Arms long & prominent on female figure Wish for protective maternal figure
(male subject)
Arms heavy , shaded on opposite sex Opposite sex viewed as punishing

SHOULDERS
Shoulders squared Aggressive tendencies
Shoulders exaggerated Feelings of masculine insufficiency & lack of
virility
Shoulders massive on male Compensation for felt inadequacy
Shoulders drooping Dejection , guilt , lack of drive ,energy or
vitality
Shoulders wide on female Sexual conflict

FINGERS
Fingerless hand Insecurity
Fingers no hand Infantile aggression
Fingers reinforced, stick fingers Assaultiveness
Large fingers Assaultiveness
Long fingers Aggressive externalized or overt
Petal fingers Infantile traits , insecurity
Spear fingers Aggressive externalized or overt
Claw fingers Paranoid , aggression externalized or overt
Grape fingers Immaturity , infantile traits , insecurity
Fingers, fingernails, joints carefully depicted Compulsive body image problem ,as in early
schizophrenia
Finger omitted or over extended Masturbatory guilt
More than five fingers Aggressive tendencies
Less than five fingers Dependency , helplessness
Shaded fingers Guilt (as masturbation)
Fingers articulated carefully & cut off by line Withdrawal ,repressed aggression
Fingers with carefully indicated joints & nails Obsessive control of aggression
Scissors fingers Subject is castrating or views maternal or
parental figure as castrating
Stick fingers Infantile aggression
CHIN
Chin exaggerated or emphasized
Chin emphasized on opposite sex
Compensation with felt guilt, compensation for
inadequacy, indecision , fear of responsibility
Dependency on opposite sex, opposite sex
viewed as stronger

BREAST AREA
Breast area emphasized
Breast emphasized (female subject)
Breast emphasized (male subject)
Small breast
V- neckline on female figure (male subject)
Dependency , homosexual trend, sexual
immaturity , emotional immaturity
Feminine identification with dominant mother ,
insecurity
Passive dependency, oral dependency
,maternal dependency & domination ,
insecurity
Maternal figure un-nurturing
Breast fixation, voyeuristic tendency

TRUNK
Trunk omitted Immature, primitive character structure,
regression ,mental retardation , denial or
repression of physical drive (children as
subject)
Trunk incomplete Regression
Trunk rounded Feminine tendency
Angular or square trunk or body Masculinity , aggressive tendencies, criticality
Trunk not closed at bottom Sexual preoccupation
(no trunk) appendages attached to head Primitive character structure
Full face trunk Poor judgment

LEGS & FEETS

Shaded legs, full body with shaded thin legs Homosexual anxiety, feelings of decline
associated with advancing age
Buttocks emphasize Homosexual trend
Buttocks & hips on male figure usually Homosexual trend
emphasized or large & rounded
Feet omitted & legs omitted Discouragement , withdrawal
Two dimensional legs Eight years of age
Legs tapering Feminine tendency
Phallic foot Sexual inadequacy & preoccupation
Foot emphasized assaultiveness
Legs reinforced Assaultiveness
Foot of male emphasized Involutional impotency
Legs of male figure large Assaultiveness
Legs masculine on female figure Sexual role conflict or confusion
Fists clenched or closed Repressed aggression
Feet small , male subject Insecurity
Feet on base of page Need for stability because of disturbance
produced by a conflict

CLOTHING
Over clothed Antisocial personality, egocentrism
Buckle , buttons Immaturity, dependency, inadequacy
Buttons on cloths over breast Dependency, Affectional deprivation
identification with mother possibly
Pockets Dependency , maternal dependency,
Affectional deprivation
Clothing carefully rendered Egocentrism, immaturity, over concern for
maternal criteria for social status
Buttons on cuffs Obsessive element accompanying dependency
Shoelaces, wrinkles, other unnecessary details Obsessive compulsive
Buttons in midlines Somatic preoccupation, maternal dependency
Hat clearly indicated Compensatory fantasy
Hat plus buttons Regression
Hat on nude figure Regression
Hat crease (folded) Fantasy relative to female genitalia
Pants transparent (legs shown through) Homosexual anxiety
Clothing with detail elaboration Homosexual trend
Tie emphasized Homosexual trend
Trouser flying Masturbatory preoccupation
Tie flying or swept out Overt sexual aggression
Clothing transparent Voyeuristic tendency with guilt, breaks in
judgment
Clothing elaboration & grooming Emphasize on possession & social prestige
Disheveled Felt lack of status
Uniformed cowboy or soldier (male figure of Need for greater status & recognition than
male subject) subject feels he possesses
Clothing foppish Need for social approval & dominance,
antisocial personality, egocentricity
Clothing ill-fitting Unsatisfying social status
Row of buttons Six to seven years of age
Collar tight Problem with control of anger or primitive
drives
Torso of female upper half emphasized Maternal dependency
Skirt ankle length on female (male subject) Maternal figure
Waist narrow Homosexual trend
Earrings Exhibitionism or exhibitionistic tendency
Transparent skirt( body of lower part visible) Involutional sex problems (male subject)
Several pockets (male figure, male subject) Passive homosexual tendency
Hat transparent Primitive sexual behavior
Handkerchief of coat pocket emphasized Sexual inadequacy
Shoelaces Obsessive compulsive
Small tie Sexual inadequacy
Tie Sexual inadequacy
Shoes shaded Insecurity
High heel emphasis on male figure (male Homosexual trend
subject)

PROPS
Labeling Circumstantiality
Gun, dagger , knife Delinquent tendency, aggressive, hostility
Snow man, peanut man, stick man Evasion of body problems
Cigarette or pipe between lips Sophisticated oral eroticism
Sitting on edge of chair Desire to escape from situation, fear
Yo Yo Masturbatory fixation
Strong wind in scene of human figure Felt subjection to strong environmental
pressures or stress, with fear of psychosis
Witches Hostility toward women, expressed overtly
Sun added to the hfd scene Need for affection, nurturing ,warmth
Cane Impotency, Involutional resistance to sexual
decline
Straw ,toothpick between lips Primitive oral eroticism
Fire place ( with fire in it ) before figure Need for emotional security & warmth
clouds Anxiety
Robot for male figure (male subject) Feeling of being controlled by outside forces
Weapons Aggressive tendencies