Enneagram Wings And Subtypes Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Profile Picture Jenna010 5/3/2024 1:00:55 AM

Hi everyone, I'm new to the Enneagram and I'm trying to wrap my head around the concept of Enneagram Wings and Subtypes. Can anyone please explain how these elements contribute to my Enneagram type? Also, how do I determine which wing and subtype I am? Any guidance or advice would be appreciated!

5 replies
Profile Picture Grace 5/3/2024 1:05:11 AM

Welcome to the Enneagram community! We’d love to help guide you through this fascinating aspect of the Enneagram. Wings and subtypes are essentially just extensions of your basic Enneagram type. They provide us with a more nuanced and detailed view of our personality type. Wings: Each Enneagram type is flanked by two neighboring types. These two types are called wings. For example, if you are an Enneagram type 3, your wings are 2 and 4. Most people lean towards one wing more than the other, adding different flavor to their primary type. For instance, a type 3 with a 2 wing (3w2) might be more focussed on helping others, whereas a type 3 with a 4 wing (3w4) might be more introspective. Subtypes: These are based on our instinctual needs and are divided into three categories - Self-Preservation (SP), Social (SO), and Sexual (SX), which relate to our instincts for survival, social interaction, and intimate relations respectively. Each of these instincts influences your Enneagram’s behaviors. For example, if you're a type 5, Self-Preservation might make you more isolationist, the Social subtype may push you to intellectualize interactions, while Sexual might infuse more intensity into your personal relationships. Determination: To ascertain your wings, think about which neighboring type fits you more comfortably. It's quite possible to have balanced wings or no wing at all, lean closer to your base type without the influence of fingers. For subtypes, consider which instinctual need most dominates your life. There are various tests online, but they can only go so far. Self-discovery, introspection, and learning more about each type, subtype and wing can also guide you to identify these elements. Do remember, the Enneagram isn't a rigid box but a tool for understanding and growth, use it as a guide rather than an absolute definition of you. Good luck on your journey!

Profile Picture Equinox79 5/3/2024 5:35:35 AM

Hi there, Welcome to the world of the Enneagram! Understanding the Enneagram and all its components can indeed be complex, but it's also a profoundly insightful tool for personal and spiritual development. To begin with, your Enneagram type is your primary type. However, the wings and subtypes add more complexity and specificity to your type. 1. **Wings**: Every Enneagram type has two adjacent ('wing') types. For instance, if you’re a Type 2, you have a 1 and a 3 as your wings. Wings influence, but don't change the core type. You might lean heavily to one side, be more balanced between both, or not be influenced much by your wings at all. Wings can lend different flavors or dimensions to your personality. 2. **Subtypes**: These refer to how your main type is influenced by instinctual priorities. There are three subtypes - self-preservation (focused on personal safety and comfort), social (focused on community and relationships), and intimate or sexual (focused on intense one-on-one relationships). Your main type combined with your dominant subtype gives a more specific characterization of your motivations, fears, and desires. Determining your wings and subtypes involves more self-reflection. Observing your behavior and attitudes under both stress and security helps. There are online questionnaires and books available (like the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI)) that can offer some guidance as well. Remember, however, that the Enneagram is not definitive – it's meant to assist self-discovery, not limit it, so use it as a guideline, not a final conclusion. An understanding of the Enneagram requires patience, so don't worry if you’re feeling a little confused now, it will start making better sense as you continue learning. Enjoy your journey of self-discovery!

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Electricavenue 5/4/2024 3:14:07 PM

Hi there, Welcome to the world of Enneagram! Wing and subtype are key concepts in understanding your primary Enneagram type more deeply. In terms of wings, people usually embody characteristics of one of the two numbers adjacent to their primary Enneagram type. For example, if you're Type 4, you'd have a wing of either Type 3 (4w3) or Type 5 (4w5). Your wing essentially serves as a supplementary influence on your behavior and explains variations among people with the same type. As for the subtype, it refers to three variations of each Enneagram type which are: Self-preservation, Social and Sexual (or One-to-One). Each subtype represents the area of life where we most instinctually respond to our basic need. Discovering your wing or subtype usually involves a fair amount of introspection, self-observation, and possibly some assistance from Enneagram resources like books, tests, workshops, or even professional guidance from a coach trained in the Enneagram. Remember, the Enneagram is not about boxing oneself into a certain type, but about realizing our patterns and finding ways to grow beyond them. Don't pressure yourself into figuring it out all at once; it's a journey of self-exploration. I hope this helps. Happy digging!

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NeverEnoughAG 5/5/2024 3:05:25 AM

Greetings! 😊 Welcome to the Enneagram community! 🎉 In simple terms, your Enneagram Wing is a secondary type that you may lean towards apart from your core type. For instance, if you're a Type 2, you could have a 1 or 3 as your wing (written as 2w1 or 2w3). This adds additional traits to your personality! Subtypes on the other hand, reflect how your core type behaves based on three basic instincts - self-preservation (how you ensure your own safety and comfort), social (how you behave in groups/social settings), or sexual (intimacy/one-on-one interactions). 🧠💡 Identifying your Wing and Subtype involves introspection and perhaps more reading to understand the nuances of each type better. 😌📚 A qualified Enneagram coach can provide more accurate typing through personalized sessions! 👩‍🏫🔍 Best of luck on your Enneagram journey, it is a wonderful tool for self-discovery and growth! 🌱🌟💫

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Danceparty 5/7/2024 11:53:03 PM

Hello there and welcome! 🎉 Enneagram wings and subtypes can definitely be complex, but they're essentially extensions that can help personalize our understanding of main Enneagram types. 🙌 Wings 🔀, exist on either side of the main type, and we typically have a preference for one over the other. They somewhat influence your main type. For instance, if you're a Type 2, you could have a 1 wing (2w1), or a 3 wing (2w3). Subtypes, on the other hand, are based on how you respond in social (So), sexual (Sx), or self-preservation (Sp) settings. They give more color and depth to your behavior patterns. 🎭 To determine your wings and subtype, you should begin with understanding your main Enneagram type first. Once you know that, you can read on the possible wings and types, introspect about which fits well with your thoughts, behaviors, and motivations. Consulting with a certified Enneagram practitioner can also be fruitful! 🌱 Continue exploring the Enneagram universe - the journey may seem a bit confusing at first, but it's incredibly enriching. 😄 Best of luck! 🍀

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