Quadrant System

The Quadrant System is a collection of forms of attraction which are based around the romance structure used by the alien race of trolls in the web comic Homestuck.

Alternate Names

 * Quadrant-Based Attraction Model
 * Quadrant Spectrum

Pronunciation

 * Quadrant System: QUAH-drent SIS-tem

Definitions

 * [Troll's] understanding of romance is divided into . . . four quadrants: the FLUSHED QUADRANT, the CALIGINOUS QUADRANT, the PALE QUADRANT, and the ASHEN QUADRANT. - Andrew Hussie, 2010

History
The system was first introduced in the webcomic Homestuck on August 10, 2010. In the comic, the quadrant system refers to the types of romance experienced by the alien race of trolls. While humans only have one form of romance, trolls experience four; matespritship (the flushed quadrant), moirallegience (the pale quadrant), kismesissitude (the pitch quadrant), and auspisticism (the ashen quadrant).

Although people have used the quadrant system to describe relationships since Homestuck introduced it, mx-princey on Tumblr formalized the terminology on 25 May 2020 for ease of use. In this post, they also coined flags for the four quadrants.

Quadrantromantic along with its flag was coined on the LGBTA Wiki by FANDOM user Literallynotgod on 24 August 2021. It is often conflated with any attraction in the Quadrant System, but actually refers to an aro-spec identity where one only experiences romantic attraction through the quadrant system. It was changed to Quadrantromantic as to not conflict with the existing term quadromantic.

In This System
Note: though analogous types of attraction are listed, these terms may be totally separate from the terms they are related to in this page.

Flushed/Matespritic
Main article: Matespritic

This attraction is most similar to the human concept of romance, and involves attraction and behavior that may be romantic and/or sexual in nature. Flushed attraction is often expressed through actions typically associated with romance, such as kissing, hugging, and sex. A flushed relationship is referred to as a matespritship, and one's matespiritic partner is a matesprit. The flushed quadrant is represented by the ♥ symbol, or in plain text, <3.

Pale/Moirallegic
Main article: Moirallegic

This attraction is often compared to queerplatonic partnership and involves attraction and behavior that may be platonic, queerplatonic, and/or romantic in nature. Pale attraction is founded on a desire to form a deep connection, support, comfort, or otherwise protect and care for a person. It is often expressed through actions typically associated with platonic and queerplatonic love, such as cuddling, hugging, and emotional vulnerability. A pale relationship is referred to as moiralleigance, and one's moirallegic partner is a palemate (informal) or moirail. The pale quadrant is represented by the ♦ symbol, or in plain text, <>.

Pitch/Kismesic
Main article: Kismesic

This attraction is often described as hatred combined with sexual attraction or deep desire to better the other, and involves attraction and behavior that may be intellectual, sexual, and/or alterous in nature. Kismesic attraction is founded on hatred or rivalry as well as a deep mutual respect and often sexual attraction. It is often expressed through actions typically associated with sexual attraction and rivalry. The relationship can only function if both involved are consenting, respect one another, are not emotionally harmed (nor physically harmed beyond what is consented to), and are reasonably comfortable with the dynamic. The main stated objective of kismesissitude is to better oneself and one's kismesic partner through rivalry/competition. A pitch relationship is referred to as kismesissitude, and one's kismesic partner is a kismesis. The pitch quadrant is represented by the ♠ symbol, or in plain text, <3<.

Ashen/Auspisic
Main article: Auspisic

This attraction is often described as platonic attraction and/or a desire to keep peace in a relationship that one is not in. Ashen attraction is founded on a desire to maintain balance and healthiness in two other people's relationships, especially a kismesic relationship. It may sometimes be considered similar to the concept of agape, or selfless love. It is often expressed through gestures of support, breaking up or preventing fights, and mediating conflicts in a relationship. An ashen relationship is referred to as auspisticism, and ones auspisic partner is an auspistice. The ashen quadrant is represented by the ♣ symbol, or in plain text, o8<.