Enneagram wings are the 2 types adjacent to your main type. Learn how wings affect your personality & how to find your dominant wing with this complete guide.
Enneagram wings are a fascinating and significant aspect of the Enneagram personality system that can help you discover more about yourself and others. It might come as a surprise to learn there are 18 different wing combinations, each representing unique traits and characteristics. In this article, we will explore the Enneagram wings meaning, how they work, how to identify your dominant wing, etc. Whether new to Enneagram or already familiar, delve into this article to enrich your knowledge and experience of Enneagram wings.
In essence, your Enneagram wings are the two other types directly located on the left and right sides of your core personality type. For example, if signified as a type 1, your wings would be Types 9 and 1. Or if you are a Type 2, the wings you have would be Types 1 and 2. However, it’s worth noting that there’s normally one dominant wing that influences your personality much more than the other one.
To delve deeper into the question “What are Enneagram wings?", it’s crucial to know that the Enneagram embodies the close interconnection amongst the 09 personality types, meaning each type isn’t separate or unconnected to others. When it comes to Enneagram wings, they show us the strong connection between the core types and adjacent types.
In the Enneagram system, wings are a chief element that significantly influences your main type of personality and dominant traits, as well as your thinking and behavior patterns.
Understanding wings and how they work offers additional insights into the intricacies of personality, which play a significant role in fostering your growth and cultivating the healthiest version of yourself.
Enneagram wings are often referred to as extensions of the primary type. By adding a great deal of flavor and depth to your dominant type, they have a heavy influence on how your personality shows up. Depending on what wing your type goes with, your overall personality and thinking, feeling, and behavior patterns can show up quite differently compared to your primary Enneagram type.
For example, Enneagram Type 2 has two possible wings: 1 and 3, written as 2w1 and 2w3, respectively. Though 2w1 and 2w3 both present core traits of Type 2, like being empathetic, warmed-hearted, and focused on helping other people, 2w1 tends to be more principled and idealistic while 2w3 appears to be more competent and ambitious with a strong focus on achieving success than other Type 2s.
While there may be tendencies that the characteristics of both wings can have effects on your core traits, it's typical to have a more dominant wing. If signified as a 2w1, your characteristics associated with the One-Wing are far more prevalent than the Three-Wing, though Wings 2 and 3 may both affect your personality.
To identify your dominant wing, you must find out what Enneagram type you belong to first. After that, determine which type adjacent to your core type is your wing. There are a few ways that you, yourself, can find both your dominant type and wing.
• Take an online Enneagram test
There are lots of free Enneagram tests out there that help you unveil your core type of personality. However, to ensure the accuracy of the test and test results, it’s recommended to only opt for reputable and reliable ones.
Once you receive your Enneagram test result, simply look at the two other types adjacent to your basic Enneagram type and identify which one has a higher score—it is likely to be your dominant wing. However, it’s worth noting that tests should be just a starting point, and the accuracy and reliability of the test results highly depend on your honesty, authenticity, level of self-awareness, etc.
• Self-Type
You can also determine your type and dominant wing without taking a test. Self-typing requires you to thoroughly read the full descriptions of the 09 types in great detail and then decide which one most accurately describes yourself.
Similarly, after identifying your main type, look into the two others that border it, and then find out which has more traits resonating with your core type. Remember, your wing is the type that matches you more closely, and that helps you explain some aspects of yourself that your core type does not cover.
Core type and wing are two different aspects of your personality based on the Enneagram system. Here’s a deeper look at the fundamental differences between them:
Your core type is one of the nine Enneagram types, representing the dominant personality pattern that shapes your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Your core type also provides lots of deep insights into the dominant personality pattern that shapes your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, fears, desires, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and more, providing a foundational understanding of your personality.
As for your wings, they serve as a complement influence that adds some traits and characteristics from another type to your core personality, making it more unique and complex. Your wing can enhance or modify your strengths and weaknesses and explain some aspects of yourself that your core type isn’t able to fully cover.
The following are short descriptions of all 9 Enneagram types and their wings.
Type 1: The Perfectionist
• 1w9 (The Idealist): A 9-wing injects peace and acceptance, softening the One's rigidity with a touch of easy-going flow.
• 1w2 (the Advocate): A 2-wing adds warmth and empathy to the One's pursuit of perfection and principles, seeking harmony through cooperation.
Type 2: The Helper
• 2w1 (The Servant): 2w1 combines the caring, empathetic, and warm-hearted nature of the Helper with a desire for order of the Individualist, offering support with a touch of principle.
• 2w3 (The Host): People with this wing tend to be empathetic, driven, and ambitious, blending nurturing qualities with a focus on success and achievement.
Type 3: The Achiever
• 3w2 (The Charmer): Blending the Three's success-oriented nature with the Two's warmth, the Chambers radiate charm and empathy while striving for goals.
• 3w4 (The Professional): 3w4 combines the competence and success-driven traits of Type 3 with the introspectiveness and individuality of Type 4. Those with this wing value excellence and authenticity in their work and image.
Type 4: The Individualist
• 4w3 (The Aristocrat): A creative and expressive Individualist with a desire for recognition. People of this subtype may want to be unique and successful in their artistic endeavors and self-expression.
• 4w5 (The Bohemian): 4w5s are deep and introspective Individualists. They have the Four's emotional depth and the Five's curiosity and analytical insight, blending individuality with a focus on knowledge and understanding.
Type 5: The Investigator
• 5w4 (The Iconoclast): In 5w4, a touch of emotional intensity and creative flair of Type 4 influences the Five's analytical mind; 5w4 individuals tend to explore new ideas and possibilities with imagination and flair.
• 5w6 (The Problem-solver): In 5w6, a layer of practical caution is added to the Five's intellectual pursuits; people with this wing often seek knowledge and understanding through careful evaluation.
Type 6: The Loyalist
• 6w5 (The Defender): This subtype presents a unique blend of the Six's need for security with the Five's intellectual curiosity, featuring the tendency to navigate uncertainty through knowledge, analysis, and independence.
• 6w7 (The Buddy): A friendly and adventurous Loyalist who seeks security and fun, finding comfort in new experiences and possibilities. 6w7s tend to embrace both security and exploration in their approach to life.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
• 7w6 (The Entertainer): A 6-wing adds a layer of groundedness to the Seven's spontaneous and adventurous nature, balancing excitement and enthusiasm with a need for security.
• 7w8 (The Realist): 7w8s are often bold and self-confident Enthusiasts who tend to pursue their passions and desires with confidence and assertiveness.
Type 8: The Challenger
• 8w7 (The Independent): In 8w7, the Eight’s directness and assertiveness are influenced by a touch of the Seven’s playful enthusiasm and spontaneity, presenting the tendency to approach life with both power and a sense of adventure.
• 8w9 (The Bear): This subtype sees a special blend of strength and peace, balancing assertiveness with calm, harmony, and patience. The Bears tend to navigate challenges with both authority and an easy-going demeanor.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
• 9w8 (The Referee): In 8w7, the Nine's peaceful and easy-going nature combines with a touch of assertive power of Type 8. The Referees often navigate life with both calm and a decisive touch.
• 9w1 (The Dreamer): As a serene and idealistic Peacemaker, 9w1 blends peace and the easy-going nature of Type 9 with Type 1’s idealism and principled order. People of this type value cooperation and justice, embodying both harmony and a sense of duty in their approach to life.
Can my Enneagram wing change over time?
Yes. Your Enneagram wing can change over time or fluctuate depending on your life experiences, personal growth, shifts in perspective, and more. However, please note that your core type of personality remains relatively stable throughout your life.
Can I have more than one wing?
Theoretically, any combination of the core type and its two wings is possible. This means, in theory, a person may be equally influenced by both of your wings, or you might display very few traits of your wings. However, in most cases, one wing is much more influential than the other, taking on a dominant role in shaping your personality.
To conclude, Enneagram wings are a vital element in the Enneagram system, providing deeper insights into the complexity of our personalities and thinking and behavior patterns. They add influence and depth to the core traits of your dominant Enneagram type of personality. By exploring your Enneagram wings, you can gain deeper insights into your strengths, weaknesses, growth potential, and more. Remember, unlike your core type, your Enneagram wings are not 100% fixed; they can change over time.