Tertiary attraction

The tertiary attraction pride flag.

**Tertiary attraction**, also known as **nonrose attraction** or **eriattraction**, is an umbrella term which describes any form of nonsexual and nonromantic attraction, or attraction that otherwise can't be clearly defined as sexual or romantic. There are many types of tertiary attraction, which can generally be grouped into two categories: physical attraction and ecstatic attraction, with some exceptions. Tertiary attraction labels are typically used by a-spec people, but aren't exclusive to them. The tertiary attraction (or lack thereof) that a person experiences is typically the primary factor in one's tertiary orientation.

## Etymology

"Tertiary" is a word which essentially means "of third rank, importance, or value." It was likely chosen as the umbrella term for nonsexual and nonromantic attraction due to its emphasis on these forms of attraction being perceived as "other" by general society. Tertiary attraction is often much less visible than other forms of attraction, if acknowledged at all.

"Nonrose" is derived from a combination of non*ro*mantic and non*se*xual attraction. "Nonrose attraction" was thus proposed as an alternative, due to the negative implications that labeling such attraction as "tertiary" can have.

"Eriattraction" derives from the Finnish word "erilainen," meaning "different." It was proposed due to its emphasis on these forms of attraction being nonsexual and nonromantic, while also not applying any form of hierarchy.

## Under the umbrella

There are many terms that exist to describe different forms of tertiary attraction. This is not a concrete list, and terms may be added when necessary.

### Physical attraction

These forms of attraction focus on physical aspects of a person, or the physical ways in which one wants to engage with that person. These forms of attraction may or may not accompany ecstatic attraction, relationships, and/or activities.

* Aesthetic attraction
* Sensual attraction

### Ecstatic attraction

These forms of attraction do not focus on physical aspects of a person, and instead center more heavily around a desire for emotional closeness with someone, mental and spiritual bonding, relationship building, and similar experiences. These forms of attraction may or may not accompany physical attraction, relationships, and/or activities.

* Alterous attraction
* Amical attraction
* Exteramo attraction
* Domestic attraction
* Intellectual attraction
* Nebulous attraction
* Platonic attraction
* Queerplatonic attraction
* Social attraction
* Spiritual attraction

### Other forms of attraction

These forms of attraction cannot be clearly defined as physical or ecstatic.

* Pseudosexual attraction
* Pseudoromantic attraction

## Distinction

### Tertiary activity stance

**Tertiary activity stance** is the personal stance a person takes on tertiary activity and tertiary relationships. This is also sometimes referred to as desire, though the term "desire" can also be interchangeable with "libido", which is not necessarily related to tertiary activity stance. People may have a tertiary activity stance often associated with tertiary attraction despite not experiencing that form of attraction. For example, many people want friends, but don't necessarily experience platonic attraction.

### Tertiary sexuality

**Tertiary sexuality** is a term which originates from the *Purple-Red Scale of Attraction* chart by Langdon Parks. In this chart, tertiary sexuality refers to when one experiences no sexual attraction, but is willing to engage in sexual activities for other reasons, such as having children, pleasing one's partner, etc. This is similar to the definition of sex-favorable or sex-indifferent asexuality, iculasexuality, cupiosexuality, or similar identities; it is completely unrelated to tertiary attraction.

## Flag

The tertiary attraction pride flag was first posted by Tumblr blog lgbtqiarchive on December 3, 2019. The colors represent four relatively commonly known tertiary attraction types: alterous, queerplatonic, sensual, and aesthetic, respectively. Despite the symbolism behind the stripes, the flag represents the tertiary attraction spectrum as a whole, rather than only those four experiences.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Magni (2019-03-25). Tertiary Types of Attraction & Related Terminology. Arocalypse. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Attraction and Relationship Terms. AUREA. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Glossary of Terms. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Resource Center. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 arokill (2022-01-29). non-rose. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Luna (2021-05-27). Pitching an alternative term for tertiary attraction.. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 What Are the Different Types of Attraction?. Healthline. Archived from the original on September 19, 2022.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 LGBTQIA+ Glossary. Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 lgbtqiarchive (2019-12-03). Tertiary attraction. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Glossary. LGBTQIA Resource Center (2020-01-14). Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Magni (2018-05-05). Types of Tertiary Attraction. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
11. ↑ Tertiary Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 momma-mogai-sphinx (2019-01-30). Attraction Terminology. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 So What Does it Mean to be Graysexual?. Greatist (2021-04-20). Archived from the original on September 19, 2022.
14. ↑ Beemyn, Genny. LGBTQIA+ Terminology Johns Hopkins University Press. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
15. ↑ Didomizio, Nicolas (2015-10-06). What's Your True Sexual Orientation? The Purple-Red Scale Is Here to Help You Find Out. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.