Lets discover how many different types of polycule arrangements you’ve experienced in your polyamorous journey, and share your current relationship dynamics with others! The goal is to spark conversation, share experiences, and connect over the diverse ways people practice polyamory.

Use the list below to say:

1. How many numbers you have done in your past?

2. Where are you right now?

I will go first:

1. I have done: 1,2,4,5,8,9,10,12,13,16,17,20,21,22.

2. Right now I'm in 17 with 21.

Polycule arrangements can take many forms, reflecting the diversity and flexibility of polyamorous relationships. Here are some common types of polycules, though every group is unique in its structure:

1. V (or "Vee") Polycule

In a V-structure, one person (the "hinge" or "pivot") has relationships with two others, but those two people are not involved with each other.
Example: Person A is dating Person B and Person C, but B and C are not romantically or sexually involved.

2. Triad (or "Throuple")

A triad involves three people who are all in a relationship with one another, either romantically or sexually. Triads can be closed (exclusive) or open to additional partners.
Example: Person A, B, and C are all dating each other, forming a complete triangle of relationships.

3. Quad

A quad consists of four people who are interconnected, either in romantic or sexual relationships. They can be structured in many ways, with varying degrees of involvement among the individuals.
Example: Two couples, Person A and B, and Person C and D, form a quad where they may all date each other or some members may have specific relationships.

4. Network Polycule

In a network polycule, multiple people are connected through a web of romantic or sexual relationships. The individuals in the network may or may not all be directly involved with one another, but they share a relational network.
Example: Person A is dating Person B, who is also dating Person C, while Person A is also involved with Person D. Some members may never meet, or they may be close friends.

5. Metamours

While not a type of polycule itself, metamours are important to mention. A metamour is your partner's partner, with whom you might or might not have a relationship.
Example: Person A is dating Person B and Person C, but B and C are not romantically involved. B and C are metamours.

6. Solo Polyamory Polycule

In solo polyamory, individuals maintain autonomy and independence while having multiple relationships. They may not cohabit with their partners or intertwine their lives as closely, but they are still connected in a polycule.
Example: Person A has separate, non-cohabiting relationships with Person B and Person C, without forming a traditional "primary" relationship or nesting.

7. Parallel Polycule

In a parallel polycule, relationships exist alongside one another without much interaction between the partners of each person. Metamours might know of each other but rarely interact or meet.
Example: Person A is dating Person B and Person C, but B and C are aware of each other without needing to build a direct relationship.

8. Kitchen Table Polyamory

In this structure, everyone in the polycule is comfortable enough to gather around the "kitchen table" and interact, whether or not they are romantically involved. Metamours often develop close friendships in this dynamic.
Example: Person A is dating Person B and C, and B and C are not involved but are friends and comfortable spending time together.

9. Hierarchical Polycule

A hierarchical polycule involves relationships that are structured with a "primary" partner who typically holds more importance, and "secondary" or "tertiary" partners, who may have less of a say in major life decisions or a lower level of entanglement.
Example: Person A has a primary partner, Person B, and also dates Person C as a secondary partner. Person C may have less of a day-to-day role in Person A's life.

10. Non-hierarchical Polycule

In contrast to hierarchical structures, a non-hierarchical polycule involves multiple relationships where no one partner is prioritized over another. All relationships are considered equally important.
Example: Person A dates Person B and Person C, but neither B nor C is seen as a "primary" or "secondary" partner. All partners are treated as equals.

11. Closed Polycule

A closed polycule is a group of people who have agreed not to add any new partners. Everyone in the polycule is romantically or sexually involved only with others within that group.
Example: A triad or quad that decides they will not seek or date anyone outside of their group.

12. Open Polycule

In an open polycule, the people involved are free to seek new partners outside of the polycule, either romantically, sexually, or both. The existing polycule remains intact, but new connections are possible.
Example: Person A, B, and C are all involved but may date or have relationships with other people outside their triad.

13. Relationship Anarchy Polycule

In a relationship anarchy dynamic, there may not be set rules or expectations, and all relationships are seen as fluid, with each connection standing on its own terms. The polycule might have a less defined structure.
Example: Person A, B, and C are part of the same polycule but don't categorize their relationships as "primary" or "secondary," instead letting each relationship evolve naturally.

14. Polyfidelitous Polycule

A polyfidelitous polycule is one where all members are committed exclusively to each other and have agreed not to date outside the group.
Example: Person A, B, and C are in a committed triad and agree to be monogamous within their group, not seeking other partners.

Each polycule is as unique as the individuals involved, and these structures can evolve over time as relationships deepen or change!

15. Solo-Poly Network

In a solo-poly network, individuals focus on their personal autonomy while engaging in multiple romantic or sexual relationships. These people may not prioritize long-term nesting or merging their lives, preferring to maintain independence while still connected to a larger network.
Example: Person A dates Person B, C, and D, but lives alone and maintains independent lives with each partner, with no plans to cohabit or deeply intertwine.

16. Nesting Polycule

In a nesting polycule, several partners live together in the same home, often creating a family-like environment. This can include multiple romantic partners or a combination of romantic and platonic connections.
Example: Person A, B, and C all live together under one roof as partners, sharing daily life, chores, and sometimes co-parenting or other responsibilities.

17. Intimate Network Polycule

In this structure, each member of the polycule shares a close, often emotional bond with everyone in the network. While they may not all be romantically or sexually involved, there is a strong sense of connection and mutual support within the group.
Example: Person A is romantically involved with B and C, while D is a close friend to everyone in the polycule. Even without romance, D is part of the emotional dynamic and has a key role in the group.

18. Star Polycule

A star polycule has one central person who is connected to multiple partners, but those partners do not have romantic or sexual relationships with each other. This is a more spread-out version of a V polycule, with a central "hub" person.
Example: Person A is romantically involved with Person B, C, and D, but B, C, and D do not date or have relationships with one another.

19. Extended Family Polycule

This structure feels more like an extended family, where members of the polycule may not all be romantically or sexually connected, but are linked by shared responsibilities, co-parenting, or other familial roles. Relationships may include friendships or strong emotional ties that are just as significant as romantic connections.
Example: Person A and B are romantically involved, and they co-parent children with Person C, who is a platonic co-parent but deeply involved in family life and the polycule dynamic.

These arrangements highlight how flexible and varied polycules can be, with many different ways to structure intimate and supportive connections among partners and metamours.

20. Cluster Polycule

A cluster polycule involves a tightly connected group of people where many (if not all) are romantically or sexually involved with each other. It’s more interconnected than a network polycule, where relationships can be more spread out.
Example: Person A, B, C, and D are all romantically involved with each other, and everyone shares a close bond, creating a “cluster” of relationships.

21. Spoke-Hub Polycule

In this arrangement, one central person (the "hub") is romantically or sexually involved with multiple partners (the "spokes"), but those partners may or may not interact or form their own relationships. This is similar to a star polycule but emphasizes the central person as the core connection.
Example: Person A is the hub and dates Person B, C, D, and E, while B, C, D, and E don’t date each other but may be aware of or friendly with each other.

22. Polyaffective Polycule

A polyaffective polycule includes deep emotional bonds between members who are not romantically or sexually involved. These strong friendships or familial-like connections are considered part of the polycule, even without romance or sex.
Example: Person A and Person B are romantic partners, but B and C are polyaffective—they have a strong emotional connection and are considered part of the same polycule, even without romance.

23. Expanded Family Polycule

An expanded family polycule resembles a blended family where multiple partners, children, and sometimes ex-partners cohabit or share family responsibilities. This arrangement might include romantic and non-romantic relationships, with the focus on creating a family-like unit.
Example: Person A, B, and C live together and co-parent children, while D, an ex-partner of A, is still involved in family life and contributes to raising the children, even without romantic ties.

24. Satellite Polycule

A satellite polycule involves one or more partners who live separately from the main core group but are still deeply involved in the relationships. They may live far away, but remain an important part of the polycule's structure, often visiting or staying in touch remotely.
Example: Person A and B live together, and Person C lives in a different city, but they maintain a strong relationship with A and are considered part of the polycule, even if distance limits physical time together.

25. Cohousing Polycule

In this arrangement, members of a polycule live together in separate units within the same building or complex. While they maintain their own space, they live in close proximity and may share communal activities like meals, chores, or social time.
Example: Person A and B live in one apartment, Person C lives next door, and they share a communal garden and regularly have dinner together, maintaining a close-knit polycule while preserving individual space.

Each of these structures emphasizes the wide range of ways polycules can organize their relationships, from emotional bonds to living arrangements and family dynamics, showing how flexible and personalized polyamory can be.

26. Multi-Generational Polycule

This arrangement involves multiple generations within the same polycule. Partners from different age groups may cohabit or share responsibilities, like co-parenting or caring for older family members. This setup fosters a family-like environment across age ranges.
Example: Person A and B are a couple in their 30s, living with Person C, who is older and acts as a mentor or caregiver, while everyone is romantically or emotionally intertwined.

27. Comet Polycule

A "comet" polycule involves partners who only see each other occasionally, such as during visits or trips, but still maintain a meaningful connection. These relationships feel like "comets" because they appear sporadically, but shine brightly when they do.
Example: Person A lives in City 1 and is romantically involved with Person B, who lives in City 2. They see each other a few times a year, maintaining a strong connection despite the infrequent meetings.

28. Virtual Polycule

A virtual polycule is based primarily online, where partners may live far apart and connect mostly through technology. These relationships can be romantic, emotional, or sexual, but primarily exist in a digital space.
Example: Person A, B, and C are all in different countries but maintain a strong romantic bond through video calls, texting, and online interactions, forming a virtual polycule.

29. Radical Non-Hierarchical Polycule

In this structure, all relationships within the polycule are treated as completely equal, with no distinctions made between "primary" or "secondary" partners. This model focuses on removing any hierarchies or labels, allowing relationships to evolve freely without prioritization.
Example: Person A has multiple partners, B, C, and D, but treats all relationships with the same level of importance and commitment, without distinguishing any as more or less significant.

30. Seasonal Polycule

A seasonal polycule involves relationships that are more active during specific times of the year, such as holidays, summer vacations, or when partners have time off. These connections may ebb and flow depending on external factors, but remain meaningful when they are active.
Example: Person A sees Person B every summer when they return to their hometown, while the rest of the year they maintain a long-distance connection. During the summer, they function as part of a polycule with Person C and D.