Noetisexual is a term for when one is only attracted to those they are mentally connected to. It can be considered an alternative to sapiosexual, though it is not purely based on intelligence. It is based on appreciating and being interested in one's opinions, point of view, perception of reality, how they see the world, and how their mind works. One may be attracted to someone based on shared perspectives, the ways their mind work together, the way the other person creates and hold space for them or others, or to the shape of your mental landscape. It may or may not be influenced by one's neurodivergence.
The knowing someone in a noetic way is noetilinking. It can involve sharing and co-creating noetiscapes, building worlds together, expressing oneself fully with another in ways not limited to or by sexuality and romance.
It can also be described as someone who does not experience sexual and/or romantic attraction to someone until they experience noetic or mental attraction to them. The term may or may not be considered part of the asexual spectrum, as well as somewhat connected to demisexuality.
The romantic equivalent is noetiromantic.
History and Flag
Noetisexual was coined on October 28, 2016 by Michon Neal.[1] The flag was created at the same time. Black relates to the hidden, the secretive and the unknown. It relates to how the way one’s mind works is ambiguous, a mystery. White relates to the openness that one is looking for; to learn more about that mystery that is one’s significant others’ mind. Tan is for the stability in a closeness between people who have an attraction to the others’ mind.
The alternate flag was made by Tumblr user felix-makes-flags on December 19th, 2021.[2]