Polycule Explained

In the context of polyamory, a polycule is a group of individuals connected by set of overlapping relationships – romantic, sexual, and sometimes also platonic – that connect all the members in the group in the same way that atomic bonds connect the atoms in a molecule. The word is a portmanteau of "polyamory" and "molecule".^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Like a molecule, a polycule can be simple or very complex.

The origin of the term is not clear, but it seems to enter the popular lexicon starting in the early 2010s. By the 2020s, discussions of polycules had entered the mainstream media.^{[5] [6]}

Terms

While polycules can take on many different configurations, there are a few common structures and terms.

• V structure describes a three-person polycule where one person is dating the two others, but the two others are not dating one another. It is also known as a type of triad.^[7]
• N structure describes a four-person polycule where each couple contributes one person to a third relationship. It takes its name from the letter "N", since each line represents a relationship, and each end point represents an individual.
• Throuple describes a group of three people where all individuals are in a relationship with the other two people in the group.^[8]
• Quad describes a four-person polycule. While N Structures are all quads, not all quads are N structures.
• Metamour is a term that refers to one's partner's partner.

In popular culture

• The television program Riverdale series finale revealed a four-person polycule, or quad, between Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead.^[9]
• In season 3 of Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton explores being in a "throuple" with Lady Tilly Arnold and Paul Suarez.^[10]
• Luca Guadagnino's 2024 movie Challengers drew social media references to the three characters of Tashi, Patrick and Art as a "throuple".^[11] However, members of the polyamorous community pushed back on using the "throuple" term since the relationship dynamics didn't follow the conventions of ethical non-monogamy and transparency.

See also

• Connectivity (graph theory)

Notes and References

1. News: Bergner . Interviews by Daniel . 2024-04-15 . Lessons From a 20-Person Polycule . 2024-07-21 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
2. Web site: 2024-01-18 . Sure, We'll Tell You About Polycules . 2024-07-21 . Cosmopolitan . en-US. Eliza . Dumais. Gigi. Engle.
3. Web site: Bote . Joshua . What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask . 2024-07-21 . USA TODAY . en-US.
4. Web site: 2024-04-09 . Polycules Are Common In Ethical Non-Monogamy – Here's What They Are . 2024-07-21 . Women's Health . en-US.
5. Web site: Davis . Allison P. . 2024-01-16 . What Does a Polycule Actually Look Like? . 2024-08-09 . The Cut . en.
6. Web site: 2024-01-18 . Sure, We'll Tell You About Polycules . 2024-08-09 . Cosmopolitan . en-US.
7. Web site: Bote . Joshua . What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask . 2024-07-21 . USA TODAY . en-US.
8. Web site: Bote . Joshua . What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask . 2024-07-21 . USA TODAY . en-US.
9. Web site: Holland . Becca . 2023-09-02 . 'Riverdale's Finale Quad Is the Right Way to Handle a Ship Endgame Debate . 2024-07-21 . Collider . en.
10. Web site: Lang . Cady . 2024-06-13 . Even Bridgerton Is Flirting With Polyamory . 2024-07-21 . TIME . en.
11. Web site: Mayeda . Olivia Cruz . 2024-05-02 . 'Challengers' Has Ignited 'Throuple' Discourse – One Polyamorous Couple Weighs In . 2024-07-21 . www.kqed.org . en.