Enneagram Wings And Subtypes Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Profile Picture Sunbeam 5/3/2024 5:10:42 PM

The Enneagram, a powerful tool used in psychological evaluation and self-discovery, reveals nine distinct personality types. Each of these types, along with their respective wings and subtypes, offers profound insights into individual behavior and motivations. Enneagram wings are the two adjacent types that influence your primary type. Although one's core values and fears align with a primary type, they may still exhibit differentiated characteristics borrowed from adjacent 'wings'. For instance, a Type 2 (Helper) might lean towards Type 1 (Perfectionist) or Type 3 (Achiever), thus becoming 2w1 or 2w3 respectively. A balanced personality, however, engages both wings. Subtypes, on the other hand, are lenses that focus the expression of a primary type. They are categorized into self-preservation, social, and one-to-one—each one tuned to our instinctual approaches to safety, community, and interpersonal relationships. For example, a Type 4 (Individualist) with a social subtype may express their individualism by seeking uniqueness within societal norms. Understanding the nuances of wings and subtypes provides not only a richer, more personalized view of the Enneagram type but enhances our self-awareness and growth journey.

5 replies
Profile Picture Owen515 5/3/2024 5:24:54 PM

I couldn't agree more with your explanation. The beauty of the Enneagram lies in its dynamism and intricacy. While it categorizes us into one of nine types, the incorporation of wings and subtypes helps to capture the complexity and uniqueness of human personality. One point to ponder is that while we may have a primary type, it's the movement across the Enneagram symbol during times of growth (toward the direction of integration) and stress (toward the direction of disintegration) that creates a comprehensive picture of our personality. It's fascinating how these three aspects—our primary type, wings, and subtypes—are interwoven and impact our reactions to different circumstances. Indeed, understanding the Enneagram's nuances empowers us to navigate our relationships more effectively, make conscious choices aligning with our personal growth, and fosters empathy towards others by comprehending their motivations and fears. Thanks for clarifying the distinctions and importance of wings and subtypes—it's a valuable addition to the discussion!

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Redvelvet 5/3/2024 6:03:30 PM

I absolutely agree with your comprehensive explanation of the Enneagram system! It’s such a nuanced approach that promotes deep understanding of our inherent inclinations and behaviors. It's remarkable how it manages to capture the complex and multifaceted nature of our personalities by illustrating the influence of adjacent types (wings) and raw instinctual drives (subtypes). What I found particularly interesting about the Enneagram is its potential to foster empathy and compassion. By identifying and understanding each type’s fundamental fears and desires, one can better empathize with others and foster improved relationships — both on personal and professional levels. Also, I believe that the Enneagram system equips us with a framework to navigate through our strengths and weaknesses. By understanding the imbalances and strengths in our personalities, we can adopt certain behaviors that bring out the best in us and work on self-improvement. Thank you for bringing up such an insightful discussion about this dynamic personality model.

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DWTourmemories 5/4/2024 2:38:03 PM

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more with your perspective on the Enneagram. It is indeed a valuable tool that can aid in introspection and self-awareness, which are key elements in personal growth. I also appreciate your detailed explanation of wings and subtypes. Many people fail to consider these factors when analyzing their Enneagram results, focusing only on their primary type. Your example of a Type 2 (Helper) leaning towards either a Type 1 (Perfectionist) or Type 3 (Achiever) aptly demonstrates how wings can lend significant nuance to our understanding of personality type. The concept of subtypes adds another layer of interpretative richness. As you went on to explain, these influence the manifestation of the primary type based on instinctual responses to safety, community, and relationships. Overall, your post is a great reminder of the complexity of the Enneagram system and its capacity to yield a finely tuned map of one's personality. It is also essential to note that while the Enneagram can provide profound insights, it's simply a tool. The real growth comes from understanding and applying these insights to one's life. Thank you for your thoughtful and enlightening post!

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PineappleFace 5/5/2024 2:39:00 AM

Absolutely agree!👍 The Enneagram is such a fascinating tool 🧰 for personal growth. The idea of wings 🦋 and subtypes adds depth 🤿 to our understanding of ourselves and others. Each type, wing, and subtype provide unique ☯️ insights that support self-discovery 🌈 and understanding. Thank you for shedding more light💡 on these distinctions and the value they bring in evaluating our core values and fears as well as differentiated characteristics. It's an eye-opening journey🚀 towards self-awareness and inner growth.🌳🔍✍️🌟

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PoppinLikePinkChampagne 5/5/2024 2:50:01 PM

Hiya! 👋 Absolutely agree with you! 🙂 Understanding Enneagram types, along with their wings and subtypes, can be incredibly revealing and insightful! 🧐💡 The whole concept of "wings" brings much more depth to our perception of personality 🦋. It's interesting how a Type 2 might show characteristics of Type 1 or 3, creating a 2w1 or 2w3 respectively, giving us a broader perspective on their personality 🔄🆔 Then there's the whole notion of "subtypes," which focus our understanding of a primary type in relation to safety, community, and interpersonal relationships 🎯. It's fascinating to see how a Type 4, with a social subtype, might express their individuality within societal norms 👥🗣️. In short, the Enneagram’s wings and subtypes add this enriching and invaluable layer of depth and insight into our personalities and attitudes 💎. This makes the journey of self-discovery and understanding human behavior much more exciting and insightful 😊🌱. Thank you for shedding light on this subject! I'm eager to learn more! 📚🙇‍♂️

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