Panaesthetic – What is it? What does it mean?

Panaesthetic typically refers to an aesthetic attraction to someone. Aesthetic attraction often focuses on a person’s appearance and expression. Panaesthetic attraction means that a person is attracted to anyone regardless of gender identity. People who experience this type of attraction tend to like someone’s appearance regardless of the gender of the object of their attraction.

Terminology & History

According to the Urban Dictionary, the term means finding anyone aesthetically pleasing, regardless of gender, without being sexually/romantically attracted to them.

The terminology focusing on aesthetic attraction first appeared on AVEN forums sometime in 2005. The prefix pan refers to all, so the word refers to being aesthetically attracted to all humans regardless of gender identity or expression.

It is unclear when the term was coined. It is crucial to note that panaesthetic individuals may have any sexuality. They may identify as queer, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.

Flag and Symbols

Panaesthetic flag

There are several versions of the panaesthetic flag out there. The most commonly used version of the flag features a pan and aesthetic attraction flags combined. The colors of the flag represent the following:

• The first shade of pink stands for people with neutral or genderless aesthetics
• The second shade of pink represents people with feminine or xenic aesthetics
• The reddish-pink represents non-human or animalistic aesthetics
• The white represents the wide spectrum of attraction
• The yellow represents the a-spec community
• The blue represents people with masculine aesthetics
• The circle in the middle represents all races and their aesthetics

Pronouns

Panaesthetic people may use a variety of different pronouns. Some folks may use neopronouns of their choice, while others may use pronouns like he/him or she/her as well as they/them. It is important never to assume someone’s pronouns based on their sexuality or gender.

• Do your best to share pronouns in written and oral communication. If you doubt someone’s pronouns – use the person’s name at all times. Always use inclusive and gender-diverse language.

How To Know If You’re Panaesthetic?

If the label fits you well and you feel comfortable with it, then, by all means, go ahead and claim it for yourself. If you are aesthetically attracted to people regardless of their gender expression or identity, you may be panaesthetic. You may also identify as heterosexual or gay or queer and be panaesthetic. Remember, labels and identities may shift over time. You are the only person who can decide what label fits you best at a certain point in your life.

Gallery

The first available version was posted on Tumblr in March 2018

The second flag appeared in April 2020. It combines aromantic and asexual flags on top of the pan flag