House-Tree-Person Test

What Does Your House-Tree-Person Drawing Reveal About You?

Co-authored by Caroline Heiderscheit

Last Updated: September 27, 2025 Fact Checked

Imagine a house, a tree, and a person. In psychology, each element of the House-Tree-Person (HTP) test reflects a different aspect of your personality. Describe how you would draw a house, a tree, and a person below, and we'll analyze what your creations say about your subconscious mind.

Describe your house drawing: *

Describe your tree drawing: *

Describe your person drawing: *

See ad to

Response failed. Please try again.

Retry

A drawing of a house in a tree with a rope ladder.

Understanding the House-Tree-Person Test

The House-Tree-Person (HTP) test is a projective drawing test developed by John Buck in 1948.^{[1]
X
Research source} Projective tests are used to gain insights into a person's inner thoughts, feelings, and personality by allowing them to respond to ambiguous stimuli. The premise of the HTP test is that by drawing familiar objects—like a house—individuals unconsciously project their inner feelings and experiences onto the paper.

Here’s a brief overview of what each element commonly represents:

The House: Often symbolizes the self, home life, and family relationships. Details like windows, doors, roofs, and chimneys can reflect feelings about accessibility, warmth, security, and communication.
The Tree: Represents the self in a deeper, more unconscious way, often reflecting vitality, growth, and connection to the world. Its roots, trunk, branches, and foliage can indicate feelings of stability, resilience, and personal development.
The Person: Typically reflects self-image, social interactions, and emotional state. Aspects like facial expressions, body posture, clothing, and details of limbs can reveal how an individual perceives themselves and interacts with others.

While the HTP test is a fascinating tool for self-reflection, remember that it's a qualitative assessment and not a definitive diagnosis. It's best used as a starting point for introspection! Describe your drawing above and see what insights emerge.