What is an Enneagram "Wing"?

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding personality types, motivations, and behaviors. In addition to the primary nine types, there is an important concept known as a "wing." Understanding your Enneagram wing can deepen your insight into your personality and the subtle ways you express your core type. But what exactly is a wing, and how does it influence your Enneagram type? Let’s explore this concept in detail.

What is an Enneagram Wing?

An Enneagram wing is a secondary influence on your personality, shaped by one of the two types adjacent to your primary Enneagram type. Each type has two adjacent types, and you can be influenced by one or both of them. Your wing is considered to be an integral part of your overall personality, adding nuance and complexity to how you express your core type's traits.

How Does a Wing Work?

The idea behind the wing is that while your core type represents your dominant personality traits and motivations, your wing adds extra layers of behavior, thought patterns, and tendencies. For example, a Type 1 (The Reformer) may have a wing from Type 9 (The Peacemaker) or Type 2 (The Helper). If the wing is Type 9, the individual might express their desire for order and structure in a more peaceful, easygoing manner, influenced by the calm demeanor of the Type 9. If their wing is Type 2, they may express their perfectionism with a more nurturing or supportive quality, influenced by the caring nature of the Helper.

How to Identify Your Wing

To identify your wing, look at the two types adjacent to your core type on the Enneagram. For example, if you are a Type 4, your adjacent types are Type 3 and Type 5. Your wing will be one of these two types. Some individuals strongly identify with one wing, while others may show traits from both adjacent types. Your wing helps define how your core motivations are expressed and can even evolve over time as you grow and change.

Characteristics of Each Wing

Here is a look at how each wing influences its respective core type:

Type 1: The Reformer

Type 1s are driven by a strong sense of integrity and the desire to make things right. With wings, they can express themselves in different ways:

  • 1w9 (The Reformer with a Peacemaker Wing): More calm, easygoing, and patient, with a tendency to avoid conflict while still pursuing personal growth.
  • 1w2 (The Reformer with a Helper Wing): More caring and people-oriented, focusing on helping others and fostering harmonious relationships while maintaining high standards.

Type 2: The Helper

Type 2s are nurturing and focused on helping others. Their wings influence how they express their support:

  • 2w1 (The Helper with a Reformer Wing): More idealistic, structured, and driven by a sense of responsibility to help others in a way that reflects their personal standards.
  • 2w3 (The Helper with an Achiever Wing): More energetic and driven, with a focus on success and being appreciated for their helpfulness and achievements.

Type 3: The Achiever

Type 3s are focused on success and recognition. Their wings help determine how they express these drives:

  • 3w2 (The Achiever with a Helper Wing): More charming, sociable, and driven by a need to be liked and appreciated for their efforts to help others.
  • 3w4 (The Achiever with an Individualist Wing): More creative, introspective, and focused on expressing their unique identity, while still striving for success.

Type 4: The Individualist

Type 4s are introspective, sensitive, and focused on uniqueness. Their wings express how they engage with their individuality:

  • 4w3 (The Individualist with an Achiever Wing): More focused on presenting their unique identity in a way that is successful or admired by others.
  • 4w5 (The Individualist with an Investigator Wing): More intellectual, introspective, and private, with a deep need to understand their emotions and creative expression.

Type 5: The Investigator

Type 5s are intellectual and introspective. Their wings influence how they approach knowledge and independence:

  • 5w4 (The Investigator with an Individualist Wing): More creative, sensitive, and introspective, with a deep focus on personal expression and understanding of emotions.
  • 5w6 (The Investigator with a Loyalist Wing): More practical, cautious, and focused on security, seeking knowledge that provides a sense of safety and reliability.

Type 6: The Loyalist

Type 6s are loyal, responsible, and seek security. Their wings express how they approach fear and uncertainty:

  • 6w5 (The Loyalist with an Investigator Wing): More intellectual, curious, and cautious, with a focus on understanding complex systems to reduce anxiety.
  • 6w7 (The Loyalist with an Enthusiast Wing): More energetic, optimistic, and focused on building supportive relationships while managing their anxieties with positive engagement.

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Type 7s are optimistic, energetic, and always seeking new experiences. Their wings influence how they pursue joy and freedom:

  • 7w6 (The Enthusiast with a Loyalist Wing): More cautious, focused on security, and able to channel their energy into building reliable support systems and deeper connections.
  • 7w8 (The Enthusiast with a Challenger Wing): More assertive, decisive, and focused on taking action to create the life they want, blending optimism with leadership.

Type 8: The Challenger

Type 8s are assertive, confident, and protective. Their wings define how they express their strength and leadership:

  • 8w7 (The Challenger with an Enthusiast Wing): More energetic, adventurous, and fun-loving, using their leadership to inspire others while seeking new experiences.
  • 8w9 (The Challenger with a Peacemaker Wing): More calm, grounded, and able to mediate conflicts while maintaining their assertiveness and strong presence.

Type 9: The Peacemaker

Type 9s are calm, patient, and focused on harmony. Their wings influence how they express peace and ease:

  • 9w8 (The Peacemaker with a Challenger Wing): More assertive, confident, and focused on creating peace through strong leadership and determination.
  • 9w1 (The Peacemaker with a Reformer Wing): More idealistic, structured, and focused on maintaining peace through ethical standards and responsibility.

Why Are Wings Important?

Understanding your wing provides additional nuance to your personality and behaviors. While your core type represents your dominant traits and motivations, your wing influences how these traits are expressed. Knowing your wing can help you better understand your reactions in different situations and reveal new insights about yourself. Additionally, identifying your wing allows for greater self-awareness and growth, helping you address areas where you might need balance or improvement.

Can You Have More Than One Wing?

While you typically identify with one wing, it is possible for individuals to resonate with traits from both adjacent types. However, one wing usually plays a more dominant role in influencing your behavior. It’s important to remember that your wing is not a second core type but a complementary influence that adds depth to your personality.

Final Thoughts

The concept of wings adds richness to your understanding of your Enneagram type. It helps explain why two individuals of the same core type may express themselves in subtly different ways. By exploring your wing, you can gain a deeper understanding of your personality and unlock new pathways for personal growth.