Cuvelier’s Axen Rose: Explanation, Animals, and Examples
The Axen Rose helps you better understand behavior when interacting with others. Sometimes communication is strained, without it being immediately clear why. One person takes up space, while the other withdraws. One person is open, while another puts up resistance. The Axenroos makes these relational attitudes visible through recognizable animals and behavioral images.
In this article, you’ll discover what Ferdinand Cuvelier’s Axen Rose is, how the model relates to Leary’s Rose, and which behavioral zones and totem animals are associated with it. You’ll also find a comparison of the two models, an overview of the animals, and recommended reading for further exploration. This will help you recognize interaction patterns more quickly and adjust your communication more consciously. Enjoy reading.
What is the Axen Rose?
People interact with each other. Interpersonal relationships aren’t always easy to define. Yet Belgian social-psychologist Ferdinand Cuvelier managed to describe these human interactions.
In the 1970s, he developed the Axen Rose, in which he uses the term ‘Ax’ to indicate people’s ability to behave in a particular way in relationships.
The model is also referred to as the Relationship Rose and typifies the interaction between people and offers a way to discuss how people interact with each other. Additionally, the theory offers the opportunity to critically look at your own behaviour and allows you to estimate the effects of this behaviour on others.
The Axen Rose can be used to improve the interaction with others. It is based on the Rose of Leary. The Rose of Leary, however, is based on a person’s own behaviour relative to the behaviour of another. The Axen Rose is based on a person’s own attitude relative to another.
Axen Rose versus Leary’s Rose
The City of Axen
The Axen Rose is a method to observe how people behave in communication.
The idea is based on the book The City of Axen, written by Cuvelier. The City of Axen is a metaphor for people and all their different behaviours. It’s about how people cope with things, how they perceive themselves and how they behave towards others.
In the metaphorical city, Cuvelier describes six districts that match the six basic Axes. These districts are inhabited by people with certain characteristics that only occur in the district concerned.
The book discusses the journey of protagonist Nand who travels to the City of Axen. Upon arrival in the unknown city, he is embraced by strangers and welcomed with great joy.
The city introduces all kinds of aspects of behaviour; in others and in Nand himself. He sees typical behaviour in others; behaviour that is also perceivable in ‘real life’. In the City of Axen, all this behaviour is described in an exaggerated way.
Main relationships
The ten main relationships form the different Axes. These can subsequently be divided into three zones that match the Leary Circumplex. It concerns the Zone of Conflict that provides counter behaviour, the Zone of Removal that creates separation or distancing behaviour, and the Zone of Harmony that creates togetherness.
In the Zone of Harmony, interaction takes place when the one person offers something and the other person accepts this, or when the one person asks something and the other person anticipates on this.
Fighting and offering resistance belong in the Zone of Conflict. It’s also possible that persons are in retaining or letting go, which will sooner lead to distancing than approaching between both parties. This belongs to Separation. We then speak about the Zone of Removal.
Figure 1 – Axenroos’s primary relationships (Cuvelier, 1976)
10 Axes
The Axes are used to categorise the countless different behaviours into several main categories. Each Ax indicates a human relating style. All these relating styles are summarised in ten main styles and those are subsequently symbolised by ten totem animals, each with their own specific behavioural characteristics.
Based on years of experience and various different taxonomies, Cuvelier arrived at a categorisation of the interactions that can occur between people. The six basic Axes all have their own district in the City of Axen with their own name and an animal totem.
The animal totems help to distinguish the specific characteristics of the people who feel most comfortable in this district. The six basic districts are situated around a central square:
- Height district (Owl totem) stands for overview, holding on to and gathering
- Depth district (Turtle totem) stands for letting go and withdrawing
- Reception district (Dog totem) stands for accepting and asking
- Offer district (Lion totem) stands for offering and giving
- Attack district (Hawk totem) stands for attacking and objecting
- Resistance district (Ibex totem) stands for resistance and defying
Behavioural Aspects
Each Ax is just as good as any of the others. According to Cuvelier, there is no order to the districts because each behaviour has its own strength.
First, it’s about choosing in which Ax a person belongs and subsequently getting the freedom to behave in accordance with this Ax. The following basic behavioural aspects can be found in the Axen Rose:
1. Giving (Zone of Harmony)
This is the lion’s Ax that symbolises giving. This concerns giving in the broadest sense of the word; from offering leadership to giving information and from giving energy to giving opinions.
2. Receiving (Zone of Harmony)
This concerns both material and immaterial matters; from receiving leadership to information and from receiving warmth or love to trust. The animal totem belonging to this Ax is the dog, who is led by and obeys commands.
3. Releasing (Zone of Removal)
Within the Axen Rose this concerns letting go of things, people and ideas. The animal totem of this Ax is the turtle, who acts on his own speed and can withdraw into his own shield.
This concerns letting go of conflicts (you stay out of it) and of impeding ideas and thoughts. Doubt is also part of this Ax.
4. Retaining (Zone of Removal)
The animal totem of this A is the (wise) owl who quietly observes and considers everything. This concerns holding onto / withholding information, refusing to share our opinion and secrecy.
5. Resistance (Zone of Conflict)
This concerns resisting something that is offered. Defending another person or something against someone else. Protecting things, people or ideas and not blindly agree to anything.
The animal totem belonging to this Ax is the ibex; with his bent head with horns, he is ready to offer resistance.
6. Fighting (Zone of Conflict)
The animal totem of this Ax is the hawk, who can use his sharp beak and claws to tear something up. This is about attacking and combating ideas, but also about fighting injustice.
Animal Totems
To clarify the various positions of the Axen Rose, each position connected to an animal totem. In addition to the six basic Axes as described above, ten in total can be distinguished:
Figure 2 – Axen Rose, the totem animals (Cuvelier, 1976)
Overview of the Axenroos animals
Peacock
The peacock shows itself and has a presence. It offers itself. It also isn’t afraid to show the less beautiful back of its feathers.
Raccoon
A raccoon prefers to go higher up to be able to observe everything. It symbolises appreciating, respecting and openness to others.
Beaver
Beavers live in close-knit families and are hard workers. The beaver symbolises caring for and about others.
Cat
A cat is coquettish and loves to be pampered. The cat symbolises asking to be cared for, loves to be pampered and have its every need met.
Lion
The king of the animals is happy to take charge, gives information, makes proposals and gives advice.
Camel
The camel is a compliant animal, obedient and bears burdens without complaining. It symbolises following guidelines and accepts advice and explanations.
Hawk
The hawk keeps a close eye on everything from the sky. It symbolises fighting injustice, confronting and criticising.
Ibex
When someone gets too close, this person risks a firm head butt. The ibex symbolises defying and defending, as well as resisting temptations.
Owl
The owl is a wise bird who quietly observes everything. Within the Axen Rose, this symbolises silent observation, keeping secrets and withdrawing.
Turtle
A turtle can withdraw into its own shield. Making choices is difficult for this symbol. The turtle also symbolises undergoing matters.
Three angles
Interaction between people is a complicated activity. To gain at least some insight into this, Cuvelier approaches this exchange from three angles:
1. Relating Styles
This is the way in which the interaction occurs and as it’s described in the Axes based on Harmony (together), Conflict (against) and Removal (apart).
2. Input
This is about what is exchanged. The input can include:
- A person or the ‘presence’; person means information about yourself and the ‘presence’ is the contact
- Goods and/or services
- Information and/or guidelines
3. Channels of Communication
Words, body language such as gestures, posture and facial expressions, intonation play an important role in the interpersonal exchange. This means that a simple word like ‘yes’ can be uttered in a variety of ways, giving it very diverse meanings.
Recommended books and publications on Cuvelier’s Axenroos
Cuvelier’s Axen Rose helps us better understand communication behavior and interaction patterns. The model illustrates how people relate to one another, what behavioral roles they assume, and how action and reaction influence each other. The books and publications listed below provide additional insight into the Axenroos, human relationships, interpersonal communication, Leary’s Rose, social skills, group dynamics, and relational behavior.
- Cuvelier, F. (1976). The City of Axen: A Guide to Human Relationships. Kapellen, Belgium: Pelckmans. → This is the primary source behind the Axen Rose. Cuvelier describes human relationships using the metaphor of a city, in which different ways of interacting with others are made recognizable. The book helps readers understand communication behavior not only rationally, but also practically and visually.
- Cuvelier, F. (2001). The Interaction Between You and Me: Foundations of Interpersonal Relations. Kapellen, Belgium: Pelckmans. → In this book, Cuvelier further explores the foundations of human encounters, relationships, and interactions. This source aligns well with the Axenroos model because it focuses not only on behavior but primarily on the ways in which people approach one another, give each other space, set boundaries, or influence one another.
- Horowitz, L. M., Rosenberg, S. E., Baer, B. A., Ureño, G., & Villaseñor, V. S. (1988). Inventory of Interpersonal Problems: Psychometric properties and clinical applications. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56(6), 885–892. → This article is relevant because it demonstrates how interpersonal problems can be systematically investigated. This is valuable for the Axenroos approach, as communication patterns often become apparent in recurring relational tensions, reactions, and habits.
- Kiesler, D. J. (1983). The 1982 interpersonal circle: A taxonomy for complementarity in human transactions. Psychological Review, 90(3), 185-214. → Kiesler describes interpersonal behavior using a circle model. This aligns well with the Axenroos and Leary’s Rose, because one person’s behavior often elicits specific behavior in the other. This explains why interaction patterns can reinforce themselves.
- Kiesler, D. J., & Auerbach, S. M. (2003). Integrating measurement of control and affiliation in studies of physician-patient interaction: The interpersonal circumplex. Social Science & Medicine, 57(9), 1707–1722. → This article demonstrates how control and affiliation can be used to analyze interactions. This is relevant to the Axenroos because much communicative behavior revolves around exerting influence, giving space, maintaining distance, or, conversely, seeking connection.
- Leary, T. (1957). Interpersonal diagnosis of personality: A functional theory and methodology for personality evaluation. New York, NY: Ronald Press. → Leary provides an important theoretical foundation for many circular communication models. His work helps to better contextualize the Axenroos model, as here too, behavior is understood as something that arises in relation to others and elicits responses.
- Remmerswaal, J. (2015). Handbook of Group Dynamics: An Introduction to Theory and Practice (11th ed.). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Boom. → Remmerswaal provides a broad foundation for group processes, interaction, and behavior in groups. This book is relevant to the Axenroos model because it is often used to facilitate discussions about behavior in teams, classrooms, groups, and counseling situations.
- Tracey, T. J. (1994). An examination of the complementarity of interpersonal behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(5), 864-878. → Tracey examines how behavior in interactions is interrelated. This publication is useful for the Axenroos model because it helps explain why certain behaviors often elicit predictable reactions and how individuals can consciously adopt different behaviors.
- Watzlawick, P., Beavin Bavelas, J., & Jackson, D. D. (1967). Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes. New York, NY: W. W. Norton. → This book is a classic on communication and interaction patterns. It aligns well with Axenroos’s work, because communication consists not only of words, but also of attitude, relationship, reaction, and meaning between people.
- Wiggins, J. S. (1979). A Psychological Taxonomy of Trait-Descriptive Terms: The Interpersonal Domain. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(3), 395–412. → Wiggins describes interpersonal behavior using a taxonomy of behavioral traits. This article is valuable for the Axenroos model because it demonstrates how behavior in relationships can be categorized and recognized. This makes it easier to discuss communication patterns.
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Mulder, P. (2019). Axen Rose. Retrieved [insert date] from Toolshero.com: https://www.toolshero.com/communication-methods/axen-rose-cuvelier/
Original publication date: May 15, 2019 | Last update: July 6, 2026
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