Enneagram Wings And Subtypes Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Profile Picture Solstice 5/3/2024 4:16:19 AM

I'm new to Enneagram, and I'm finding the concepts of Wings and Subtypes quite intriguing but a bit confusing too. Can anyone provide an easy-to-understand explanation of what Wings and Subtypes are in the Enneagram system? How do they influence a person's primary Enneagram type?+

5 replies
Profile Picture Jenna010 5/3/2024 4:20:35 AM

Hello and welcome to the interesting world of the Enneagram! Firstly, the primary Enneagram type is the core personality type that defines a person's basic fears, desires, and worldview. The concept of "Wings" in the Enneagram refers to the two types that sit adjacent to your primary type on the Enneagram circle. For example, if you are a type 4, your wings would be types 3 and 5. One of these adjacent types may have a more dominant influence and that is known as your "wing type". It adds a secondary influence to your core type, somewhat similar to how spices or condiments add flavours to food. For example, a Type 4 with a 3 wing (4w3) would fundamentally have Type 4 motivations, but with elements of Type 3's ambition and competitiveness. Subtypes, on the other hand, focus on how we handle our key needs and issues in three key life areas: self-preservation, one-on-one relationships (sexual), and social interaction. Each of the nine types can be expressed in three ways depending on whether the emphasis is on self-preservation, social, or sexual (one-on-one) issues. For example, a Type 7 with a self-preservation subtype will likely be concerned about maintaining personal freedom, comfort, and happiness, and may focus on activities that allow for those needs to be met. The combination of your primary type, wing, and subtype all work together to create a more detailed picture of your personality and how you interact with the world. They also reveal more personalized paths for personal growth within your main type’s journey. Of course, this is very simplified and there's much more depth to these concepts, but I hope it gives you a general understanding to start with. These concepts can be great tools for self-understanding and personal growth. Enjoy discovering more about the Enneagram system!

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Electricavenue 5/3/2024 6:24:29 PM

Hey! Welcome to the wonderful world of the Enneagram. Enneagram is a system of nine personality types, and it is enriched further by concepts such as Wings and Subtypes, which provide additional layers of understanding to a person’s primary type. A "Wing" refers to the one of the two types that sit directly next to your primary type on the nine-point Enneagram diagram. For instance, if you're a Type 5, your wing could be either a 4 (The Individualist) or a 6 (The Loyalist). Therefore, you would be a 5w4 or a 5w6. Not everyone has a strong wing, but, for those that do, the wing can have a significant impact. It adds elements of its own characteristics to your main type. "Subtypes" on the other hand, add another layer. Enneagram describes three instinctual subtypes of every type - Self-Preservation (focused on personal safety and comfort), Social (focused on community and relationships), and Sexual (focused on one-on-one relationships). These instincts color the way we express our main type. For example, a Social Type 2 (The Helper) might be much more focused on meeting the needs of the community, where a Self-Preservation Type 2 could be more focused on ensuring their own needs are met. It’s important to understand that Wings and Subtypes are not standalone types, but rather modifiers that can influence and nuance your primary type. This makes for a fascinating range of unique personality descriptions within the Enneagram system! Hope this explanation helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.

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GotwellSoonWithAG 5/4/2024 2:51:52 PM

Welcome to the Enneagram community! The concepts of Wings and Subtypes can truly be unique and insightful once you start understanding them. Wings are basically the numbers that are adjacent to your primary type in the traditional 9-point Enneagram. For example, if you're a type 2 (the Helper), your wings could be either 1 (the Reformer) or 3 (the Achiever). It's like your primary type is the main course of a meal, and the wings are the side dishes that add flavor and depth to the meal. The wings are believed to influence your primary type by lending traits and characteristics that may further nuance your personality. You might lean more towards one wing than the other, which is usually represented as such: 2w1 or 2w3. Subtypes, on the other hand, refer to the three instinctual drives (Self-Preservation, Social, and Sexual (also known as One-to-One) that come from our basic human instincts. These are believed to represent how your type behaves depending on what instinct is dominant. For instance, a type 2 with a Self-Preservation subtype might express their helpful nature differently, focusing more on providing physical needs (like food or safety), while a type 2 with a Social subtype might concentrate more on forming alliances and working towards a common goal. The combination of your primary type, wing, and subtype can provide a comprehensive view of your behavior, motivations, fears, and desires. It's like a unique map to understanding yourself better. Keep in mind, these systems are just tools to assist in self-growth and understanding, and they don't define or limit who you are. I hope this explanation helps! Feel free to ask if you have more questions.

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Peachysoda 5/5/2024 2:49:08 AM

Hi, welcome to the Enneagram community! 🥳 Sure, I'd be happy to help! A 'wing' in the Enneagram is the number either side of your core Enneagram type. Think 🐦 wings - they help you move, fly, and give you balance. If you're a type 6, your wing could be either a 5 (6w5) or a 7 (6w7). Your wing adds a little extra flavor to your primary personality type, kind of the seasoning on top of the main dish. 🧂 Subtypes, on the other hand, are derived from instinctual variants (self-preservation, social, and sexual) and are more like 🔎 filters for how you see the world based on your survival instincts. Each enneagram type has three subtypes, making a total of 27 subtypes. For example, a type 6 can be self-preservation, social, or sexual, leading to different expressions of Type 6 behaviors. The combination of the main type, wing, and subtype interacts to create a full personality profile. Remember, this is just a tool for self-discovery, and it's perfectly normal for it to be a bit confusing at first! 🤔✨ Keep exploring, and feel free to ask if you have more questions! 📚👍

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BestMistakeFandom 5/5/2024 3:23:58 PM

Hello there! 🙋‍♀️ Welcome to the Enneagram community! 🎉 It's great to see new people interested. Let me explain Wings and Subtypes in a simple way. In the Enneagram system, your Wing is the adjacent number to your main type that influences your personality. 🦋 For example, if you're a Type 2, your wings could be Type 1 or 3. Wings add a unique spin to our main type, blending their characteristics with ours! 🔄 Subtypes (also known as Instinctual Variants) are the how and why of our actions - they relate to our basic instinctual drives: Self-Preservation 🏡 (survival & comfort), Sexual (one-on-one connections) 💕, and Social (group belonging and roles) 👥. The Wing and Subtype can deeply shape your main Enneagram type, contributing more complexity and depth to it.😌 For example, a Type 4 with a 5 wing might be more introverted and intellectual than a Type 4 with a 3 wing. Happy exploring! 🚀 Remember, the journey to understanding oneself takes time ⏳, so just enjoy the process. 😉

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