1. 🧠 Purpose of the Power Flower
A visual and reflective tool used to explore power, privilege, and identity.
Helps individuals and groups understand their social positioning in relation to dominant societal norms.
Encourages self-awareness, empathy, and critical thinking about systemic inequality.
2. 🌼 Structure of the Diagram
Center Circle: Divided into 16 segments, each representing a facet of social identity (e.g., race, gender, language).
Inner Petals: Filled in by participants to reflect their personal identity in each category.
Outer Petals: Represent the dominant or privileged identity in each category within the current societal context.
3. 🧩 Common Identity Categories
Race
Ethnicity
Gender Identity
Sex Assigned at Birth
Sexual Orientation
Language
Religion/Spirituality
Ability/Disability
Age
Education
Socioeconomic Class
Citizenship/Nationality
Housing Status
Family Structure
Health Status
Employment Status
4. 🏛️ Definitions
Power (Institutional): The ability to influence or control access to resources, decision-making, and societal norms.
Privilege: Unearned advantages granted to individuals based on their membership in dominant social groups.
5. 🔍 How the Exercise Works
Fill in Outer Petals: As a group, identify dominant identities in each category (e.g., “White” for race, “Male” for gender).
Fill in Inner Petals: Individually, participants reflect on their own identity in each category.
Compare & Reflect: Count how many inner petals match outer petals—this reveals proximity to social power.
Group Composite: Participants contribute to a shared diagram to visualize collective identity and privilege.
6. 🧠 Key Concepts
Intersectionality: The overlapping and interdependent nature of social identities and how they contribute to unique experiences of privilege or oppression.
Dominant vs. Marginalized Identities: Dominant identities hold systemic power; marginalized identities often face barriers.
Social Location: One’s position in society based on identity categories.
7. 💬 Reflection Questions
Which aspects of your identity give you power or privilege?
Which aspects make you vulnerable or marginalized?
How does your identity shape your worldview, access to resources, and relationships?
What responsibilities come with privilege?
8. 🧭 Applications
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) training
Anti-oppression workshops
Leadership development
Community building
Legacy planning and ethical leadership
9. 🛠️ Tips for Facilitators
Create a safe, respectful space for sharing.
Emphasize that privilege is not about guilt, but about awareness and responsibility.
Use the exercise to foster empathy, humility, and action.
10. 📌 Limitations
The diagram reflects context-specific dominance (e.g., North America).
May need adaptation for different cultural or institutional settings.
Should be followed by ongoing dialogue and systemic action.
📝 Quiz: Power Flower Exercise & Diagram
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.
What is the primary purpose of the Power Flower Exercise? A. To measure intelligence B. To explore privilege and identity C. To assign roles in a group D. To test memory
What do the outer petals of the Power Flower represent? A. Personal goals B. Dominant social identities C. Career choices D. Emotional states
Which of the following is an example of a dominant identity in North America? A. Female B. Non-English speaker C. White D. Disabled
What does “intersectionality” refer to? A. A traffic system B. Overlapping social identities C. Religious beliefs D. Economic status
Which category is commonly included in the Power Flower diagram? A. Favorite food B. Race C. Zodiac sign D. Height
What does privilege mean in this context? A. Earned rewards B. Unearned advantages C. Academic success D. Legal rights
What does it mean if many of your inner petals match the outer petals? A. You are unique B. You hold more social power C. You are marginalized D. You are creative
Which identity category might reflect privilege in language? A. Multilingual B. English speaker C. Sign language user D. Non-verbal
What is the role of the facilitator in this exercise? A. To grade participants B. To enforce rules C. To guide reflection and discussion D. To assign identities
Why is it important to reflect on privilege? A. To feel guilty B. To understand systemic inequality C. To win debates D. To avoid responsibility
What does the center of the Power Flower diagram represent? A. Emotional intelligence B. Social identity categories C. Career paths D. Personality types
Which of the following is NOT a typical category in the Power Flower? A. Education B. Housing status C. Favorite color D. Citizenship
What is a key outcome of the Power Flower exercise? A. Increased competition B. Greater self-awareness C. Improved math skills D. Reduced teamwork
How should participants approach differences in identity? A. With judgment B. With curiosity and respect C. With indifference D. With avoidance
What is one limitation of the Power Flower tool? A. It is only for children B. It cannot be adapted C. It reflects context-specific dominance D. It requires advanced math