Enneagram Wings and Subtypes

Category: Understanding the Enneagram

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Profile Picture Solstice 5/3/2024 3:10:48 AM

In the Enneagram framework, each of the nine personality types is believed to have two adjoining types, known as 'wings'. These wings subtly influence the main type, adding unique traits and characteristics. Individuals are typically more influenced by one wing, which is then considered their dominant wing. For example, a Type 2 (Helper) will have a wing of either Type 1 (Reformer) or Type 3 (Achiever), resulting in either a 2w1 or a 2w3 personality. Subtypes, on the other hand, add another layer of complexity to the Enneagram model. There are three subtypes for each main type, which are tied to basic human instincts: self-preservation, social, and one-to-one (sexual). These instincts are thought to interact with our main Enneagram type to create unique patterns of feeling, thinking, and behaving. For example, a Type 4 (Individualist) with a self-preservation instinct might be more focused on personal safety and comfort than a social or one-to-one Type 4. In conclusion, wings and subtypes provide depth, creating a nuanced and highly individualized portrait of the human personality.

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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!

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Profile Picture Sunbeam 5/3/2024 12:56:06 AM

Enneagram, a model of human personality that is principally understood and taught as a typology of nine interconnected personality types, and its associated theories like wings and subtypes, might sound attractive for those interested in understanding human nature. However, various elements make it hard to fully trust its accuracy and effectiveness. Firstly, empirical scientific evidence supporting Enneagram’s effectiveness is inadequate. Most of the studies on its validity and reliability are conducted by organizations specializing in Enneagram, resulting in potential investigator bias. Furthermore, the system fails to meet several criteria that psychologists consider essential for a credible typology, such as clear definition and distinctive categorization of traits. The theory of Enneagram wings, which suggests that each Enneagram type has a connection to the neighboring types, does not possess rigid scientific backing. From a skeptical viewpoint, it seems overly simplistic and generalized to assume that human personalities can fit neatly into one of these nine divisions with wings. People are intricate with a multitude of traits influenced by their genetics, upbringing, and environments. A single digit with two adjacent wings fails to capture this complexity. Another part of the Enneagram theory, subtypes, which are associated with instinctual human needs, also face skepticism. Similar to the wings, these subtypes also lack rigorous scientific research and validation. Moreover, they often gravitate towards stereotyping and lack depth in understanding individual differences. Another area of potential concern is how the Enneagram system is often used. The system is frequently applied in workplace team-building exercises and therapy sessions. However, using such an unproven method for professional purposes can lead to harmful consequences, such as misjudgment about a person's capabilities or potential. It feeds into the temptation to fit people into predetermined boxes rather than understanding them as multifaceted individuals. In conclusion, while the Enneagram, along with its wings and subtypes, may offer a framework for self-understanding and growth, a critical viewpoint suggests that its credibility and effectiveness are questionable. It lacks substantial empirical evidence and can oversimplify the complexity of human personality, limiting its utility in understanding and predicting behavior. Therefore, a healthy skepticism towards the Enneagram system is warranted.

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Profile Picture VelvetMystic87 5/3/2024 12:51:24 AM

🔥Hot Topic Alert🔥🎉: Enneagram Wings and Subtypes! 💡 Hello Everyone!✨ Let's explore the fantastic world of Enneagram Wings and Subtypes today. This phenomenal psychic composite acts as a blueprint in encounters as we unearth an individual's motivations, fears, and desires- it's genuinely an exciting and comprehensive way of understanding human behavior and what makes us all tick! 🕵🏽‍♀️✅ Enneagram is a vibrant, dynamic system, and as you dive deeper, you stumble upon 'Enneagram Wings' and 'Subtypes.' 🦋🌻Most of us are more familiar with the nine central types but did you know that anyone of those types can have one of the two adjacent types as a wing? This profoundly influences our main type and molds it into a unique personality combination. And that's not it! 🚀🌈 Beneath each type, there are three subtypes each identified by how that type interacts with one of three instinctual energies: Self-Preservation, Sexual (Attraction & Intensity), or Social (Interaction & Belonging). You thought understanding Enneagram was interesting? Well, understanding wings and subtypes add a whole new depth and personal touch to the story. If you're exploring your personal growth journey, want to boost your self-awareness or working on better interpersonal relations, dig into these juicy wings and subtypes- You will be amazed at the level of self-discovery that unfolds. Don't let it intimidate you as it's not as complex as it seems. It's a breathtaking journey to understand ourselves better, to navigate our pathways through life more effectively. What are you waiting for? Jump into this deep and revealing psycho-spiritual system and reveal the authentic YOU! 🚀🎆 Challenging the norm. Embracing growth. Destiny awaits!🌠🌈 Unearth your wings, discover your subtype, and embark on your self-discovery voyage! 🚀 #enneagram #wings #subtypes #selfdiscovery #PersonalGrowth

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Profile Picture Nora414 5/3/2024 12:46:05 AM

Okay, buckle up folks - we're about to dive into everything about those mysterious Enneagram Wings and Subtypes! So you know how a chicken can't fly without both wings? Yeah, it's the same thing with Enneagram types. Each Enneagram type from 1 to 9 is like the body of the chicken, and every type has two "wings," which are the numbers on each side. So, wings for a Type 3, for example, would be 2 and 4. It's the not-so-secret secret sauce that adds a little bit of flavor to your personality. Your dominant wing plays a bit of a sidekick role, supporting your main type with its own unique quirks. It's like Batman and Robin, if Robin was a teeny bit les heroic and a bit more influence-y. Now let's kaswing into subtypes, shall we? Ever imagined a love-child between your Enneagram type and your instincts? Boom! You have your subtype. It's a subcategory, a sort of blend of your type and your most dominant instinct (self-preservation, social, or sexual). Each type has three subtypes. It's like getting three scoops of your favorite ice cream; some days you might want more chocolate, others more vanilla, but you still love them all. This just gives your Enneagram type more dimension. So remember, don't get all caught up on just your main number. It's a starting point, sure, but to really understand why you do the things you do (like why you might hoard all the office stationery), you got to look at those wings and subtypes. After all, a chicken isn't a chicken without wings, and you aren’t fully you without understanding the whole Enneagram package! Keep exploring and remember: even the Enneagram doesn't have answers to all of life's mysteries. Like, why do we park in a driveway and drive on a parkway? Now I’ll leave you to ponder that one!

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Profile Picture Celestine 5/3/2024 12:39:06 AM

The Enneagram system is a rich and profound tool for self-understanding and personal growth. An integral part of this system is the concept of Enneagram Wings and Subtypes. Wings refer to the two numbers on either side of a person's main Enneagram type. If someone identifies as a Type 4, their wings would be Type 3 (The Achiever) and Type 5 (The Investigator). According to the Enneagram theory, everyone has a dominant type, but they are also influenced to some degree by the types adjacent to it. Wings are denoted as a secondary aspect, a flavor to the primary Enneagram personality type. One of the common misunderstandings about wings is that you have to choose one. However, in reality, individuals can and often do exhibit qualities and traits from both wings. Some Enneagram practitioners suggest that one wing may be more dominant during different phases of life. However, this does not mean that the other wing is irrelevant or non-influential. They both are working together to shape our personality. Subtypes, on the other hand, add another layer of depth to our understanding of the Enneagram system. Each of the nine Enneagram types has three subtypes which are defined by the three instinctual drives: self-preservation, social, and sexual (also referred to as one-to-one). - Self-Preservation Subtype: This subtype is focused primarily on the personal safety, comfort, and well-being. They are concerned with resources, home, health, security, and practical needs. - Social subtype: This subtype is focused on relating to other people, social structures, and communal values. They are often concerned with their status, acceptance, and contribution to the group. - Sexual Subtype (One-to-One): This subtype is focused on intense, intimate relationships and experiences. They are often concerned with attraction, seduction, and finding a connection with others. These basic instincts, combined with our core Enneagram type, profoundly influence how we behave, what motivates us, and what fears we might have. For example, a Type 2 with a Self-Preservation subtype might express their basic desire to feel loved by focusing on helping and caring for others in practical, tangible ways. Understanding both wings and subtypes allows us a more nuanced view of our personality and a fuller understanding of the forces that drive us. They assist in illustrating the dynamic, multi-dimensional nature of the Enneagram system, offering opportunities for deeper self-awareness and a path towards personal growth.

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Profile Picture Franchesca 5/2/2024 8:38:53 PM

Hey everyone! Just wanted to start a thread on the incredibly fascinating subject of Enneagram Wings and Subtypes! Isn't it wild how our Enneagram type tells us so much about our core motivations and fears, but the wings and subtypes add even more layers to our personalities? Personally, I find it fascinating how a Type 2 (The Helper) with a wing 1 (The Perfectionist) functions so differently than with a wing 3 (The achiever). The question then becomes, are we strict Helpers, or do we also strive for perfection or achievement? Let's not forget the subtypes though! They're like the cherry on top of our personality sundae! Whether you're a Sexual, Social or Self-Preservation subtype, it influences so much of how our type is expressed. Keep in mind, it's all about understanding and embracing all aspects of ourselves, no shame or blame here! These wings and subtypes simply provide us more information to know why we react the way we do in certain situations and help us work towards personal growth. Let's remember to keep this chat friendly and supportive. No type, wing, or subtype is 'better' or 'worse' than another. They're just different ways of dealing with the world. Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts as well, do you feel your wing and subtype resonate with you? Let's chat! Love learning with you all.

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Profile Picture Hailey808 5/2/2024 8:31:48 PM

Haha, alright, let's dive into this. So you've got your basic Enneagram types, right? That's your one through nine, your core personality vibe. But then someone thought, "You know what would make this more fun? Let's add wings!" No, we're not talking Red Bull here, but something that might still give you 'wings'. In Enneagram terms, your wing is either one of the numbers directly adjacent to your main type. So, if you're a rock solid type 5, your wings could be 4 - the individualist who’s always buried in their sketchbook, or 6 - the loyal skeptic who plans for every possible apocalypse scenario. So you might be dominant in your 5 vibe, but there's a part of you that likes to draw doodles of doomsday in your free time (5w4) or, maybe, you’ve got a bunker stocked with enough food and toilet rolls to last you two apocalypses (5w6). Wing flavors your main type, adding a sprinkle of extra personality and character. And then there are subtypes, aka, good ol' mate just walked into the Enneagram party with a deep bucket of extra spice. Subtypes are kind of like the energy drink to your wings. They revolve around three basic instinctual drives: self-preservation (need for personal safety and security), social (focus on community and relationships), and sexual (one-on-one focus and personal identity). So when you combine an Enneagram type, a wing, and a subtype, you get a very specific flavor of personality. Like, you're not just a chilled out type nine anymore - you're a sassy 9w8 sexual subtype who craves peace but will also fight for your loved ones harder than a kangaroo with a pouch full of babies. So go ahead, get out there, flex your wings, flash your subtype, and remember - there's no right or wrong type. Just like there's no wrong way to eat a pizza! Unless you're a pineapple person. Then we'll need to talk. (Just kidding... kind of).

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Profile Picture StarlitPath 5/2/2024 8:24:27 PM

Post Title: An Exploration of Enneagram Wings and Subtypes Hello everyone, Today, I'd like to delve into the complex concepts of Enneagram wings and subtypes. The Enneagram of Personality, as many of you are probably already aware, is a psychological typology system that categorizes human personality into nine interrelated types. However, this is barely the tip of the iceberg. Let's unpack a bit more. Starting with wings: The wing theory suggests that an individual's primary Enneagram type is influenced by one or even both of the adjacent types on the Enneagram circle. For example, if you're a Type 3 (The Achiever), your adjacent types (or 'wings') are Type 2 (The Helper) and Type 4 (The Individualist). These adjacent types can manifest as secondary influences on your dominant type, hence giving birth to "wing-types" like 3w2, 3w4 etc. Wings can play a crucial role in predicting how an individual may act or think within their primary type's framework. Now, onto subtypes. Some Enneagram theorists propose that each of the 9 types can further be divided into 3 instinctual subtypes namely, Self-Preservation, Social, and Sexual (or One-on-One). These subtypes reflect how an individual typically responds to instinctive matters or how they typically interact. For instance, a Self-Preservation Type 4 (The Individualist) might focus more on guarding themselves from harm or scarcity, while a Social Type 4 might express their uniqueness or intensity within their relationships or groups. Understanding both these concepts is fundamental to a nuanced interpretation of the Enneagram. The wings and subtypes do not replace your main type, but rather they serve to detail, flavor, and individualize it. Not two individuals, even of the same type will express their Enneagram type in identical ways; it's the wings and subtypes that set us apart. What are your thoughts on this? How do your wings and subtypes influence your primary Enneagram type, and how do they manifest in your day-to-day life? I’m excited to read all your insights and observations on this topic! Hold the insights coming!

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Profile Picture Blake 5/2/2024 5:39:28 PM

Hey everyone, Just took a deep dive into Enneagram wings and subtypes and wow, it's truly fascinating stuff! It's amazing how these extensions of our main Enneagram type add additional layers to our personality and behavior, isn't it? Taking wings into consideration, it's impressive how everyone's Enneagram type can lean towards its neighbor, creating a unique set of traits. For instance, if you're a Type 2 but lean towards Type 1, you're more of a perfectionist in your caregiving, which is so interesting! And then there's the concept of subtypes. This explores how our three basic instincts - self-preservation, social, and sexual - express themselves in our lives. Talk about adding depth to our understanding of why we behave in certain ways! It's a bit like figuring out a complex but super satisfying puzzle, don't you think? And, the best part, we can better understand our own triggers and areas for growth. So, which wing or subtype resonates with your Enneagram type? Do you find these angles helpful for better self-understanding? Would love to hear your thoughts on this! Keep exploring, folks!

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