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Discover Your Enneagram Type

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What is an Enneagram: Definition and Meaning

The Enneagram is a powerful personality typing system that identifies nine distinct personality types, each with its own core motivations, fears, and desires. The word "Enneagram" comes from the Greek words "ennea" (nine) and "grammos" (a written symbol), referring to the nine-pointed geometric figure that represents the system.

Unlike other personality frameworks that focus primarily on behavior, the Enneagram delves deeper into the underlying motivations and unconscious patterns that drive our actions. It reveals not just who we are, but why we do what we do.

Enneagram Symbol

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What Does the Enneagram Tell Us?

The Enneagram provides profound insights into human nature and personal development by identifying:

Core Motivations

Uncovers the fundamental drives that shape your decisions and behaviors, revealing what truly matters to you at a deep level.

Unconscious Patterns

Highlights your automatic responses to stress and security, helping you understand your default coping mechanisms.

Growth Pathways

Provides a roadmap for personal development based on your specific type, showing how to access your higher potential.

By understanding your Enneagram type, you gain a comprehensive framework for personal growth, improved relationships, and enhanced emotional intelligence.

How the Enneagram Works?

The Enneagram identifies nine distinct personality types, each representing a specific worldview and coping strategy that develops in childhood. These nine types are:

Type 1: The Reformer

Principled, purposeful, and self-controlled, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They strive to live up to their high ideals.

Type 2: The Helper

Generous, people-pleasing, and possessing an exceptional ability to sense others' needs. They find purpose in caring for others.

Type 3: The Achiever

Success-oriented, pragmatic, and driven, with an ability to adapt to whatever image seems to guarantee achievement.

Type 4: The Individualist

Creative, sensitive, and expressive, with a deep desire to establish a unique personal identity and find meaning in life.

Type 5: The Investigator

Perceptive, innovative, and private, with a need to understand the world and conserve their energy and resources.

Type 6: The Loyalist

Committed, security-oriented, and responsible, with a strong need for stability and a tendency to anticipate problems.

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Versatile, spontaneous, and optimistic, with a desire to experience all that life has to offer while avoiding pain.

Type 8: The Challenger

Self-confident, decisive, and assertive, with a strong need to control their environment and protect themselves and others.

Type 9: The Peacemaker

Easygoing, receptive, and supportive, with a desire to maintain harmony and avoid conflict at all costs.

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Understanding the Enneagram Symbol

The Enneagram symbol is a nine-pointed geometric figure that illustrates the dynamic relationships between the types. Each point represents one of the nine personality types, arranged around a circle.

The symbol consists of three key components:

  • The Circle: Represents wholeness, unity, and the infinite potential within each person.
  • The Triangle: Connects points 3, 6, and 9, representing the law of three – active, passive, and neutralizing forces.
  • The Hexad: The irregular six-pointed figure connecting points 1, 4, 2, 8, 5, and 7, representing the law of seven – the process of development and change.
Detailed Enneagram Symbol

This geometric structure isn't just decorative – it maps the core dynamics of human personality and the connections between different types. The symbol reflects how each type relates to others and how they move under different conditions.

Wings in the Enneagram

While everyone has a primary Enneagram type, most people also display traits of one of the adjacent types, which are called "wings." Your wing brings additional qualities that blend with your core type to create a more nuanced personality profile.

Enneagram Wings Diagram

For example, a Type 1 may have either a 9 wing (written as 1w9) or a 2 wing (written as 1w2):

Type 1w9: "The Idealist"

Combines the perfectionism of Type 1 with the peacefulness of Type 9, creating someone who seeks improvement but with a more relaxed, accepting approach.

Type 1w2: "The Advocate"

Blends the principle-centered nature of Type 1 with the helpfulness of Type 2, resulting in someone who channels their idealism into service to others.

Understanding your wing adds another layer of insight to your Enneagram profile and helps explain why people of the same core type can appear quite different from each other.

Wondering which wing influences your personality? Our comprehensive assessment can help identify both your core type and wing.

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Arrows in the Enneagram

The Enneagram symbol contains internal lines connecting different points, representing how each type "moves" or shifts their behavior and attitudes under different conditions:

Stress Arrows (Direction of Disintegration)

When under stress or feeling insecure, each type adopts some characteristics of another specific type. For example, a Type 9 under stress moves toward Type 6, becoming more anxious and suspicious.

Growth Arrows (Direction of Integration)

When feeling secure and developing healthily, each type moves toward another type, incorporating its positive qualities. For instance, a Type 9 in growth moves toward Type 3, becoming more committed to others and less focused on achievement.

Enneagram Arrows Diagram

These arrows reveal the dynamic nature of personality and provide a roadmap for personal growth. By understanding these connections, you can recognize your patterns during stress and leverage your growth direction for positive development.

"The Enneagram doesn't put you in a box. It shows you the box you're already in and how to get out of it."

— Don Richard Riso

History of the Enneagram

Ancient Origins

The Enneagram's origins are somewhat mysterious, with some elements traced back to ancient spiritual traditions in the Middle East, particularly Sufism. The symbol itself has connections to ancient mathematical and mystical concepts.

Early 20th Century

George Gurdjieff, a spiritual teacher, introduced the Enneagram symbol to the West around 1900 as part of his teachings on human consciousness and development.

1960s

Oscar Ichazo developed the Enneagram of Personality in Chile, connecting nine personality types to the ancient symbol. He founded the Arica School to teach his discoveries.

1970s

Claudio Naranjo, a psychiatrist, brought Ichazo's teachings to the United States and expanded on them by integrating modern psychological concepts. He taught the system to various psychologists and spiritual seekers.

1980s-1990s

Don Richard Riso, Russ Hudson, Helen Palmer, and others developed and popularized the Enneagram through books, training programs, and academic research, making it more accessible to the general public.

Present Day

The Enneagram has gained widespread popularity as a tool for personal and professional development, with applications in therapy, coaching, business, spirituality, and education.

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Applications of the Enneagram

The Enneagram's versatility makes it a valuable tool across various domains:

Personal Growth

Identifies core motivations, fears, and defense mechanisms to foster self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Relationships

Enhances understanding of interpersonal dynamics, improving communication and conflict resolution.

Career Development

Helps identify career paths aligned with innate strengths and provides insights for professional growth.

Leadership

Provides leaders with insights about their management style, blind spots, and growth areas.

Team Building

Facilitates team cohesion by fostering understanding of diverse perspectives and working styles.

Therapy & Coaching

Provides therapists and coaches with a framework to understand clients' core patterns and growth pathways.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the Enneagram test?

Our Enneagram assessment is scientifically validated and has been refined through extensive research and testing. However, self-reflection is an important part of the process, and we recommend reading the detailed descriptions of your top types to confirm your results.

How long does it take to complete the test?

Our comprehensive Enneagram assessment takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. We believe in balancing thoroughness with user experience to provide accurate results without overwhelming you.

Can my Enneagram type change over time?

Your core Enneagram type typically remains stable throughout life as it reflects deep-seated motivations formed early in life. However, how you express your type can evolve significantly as you develop greater self-awareness and emotional health.

How is the Enneagram different from other personality tests?

Unlike tests that primarily describe behavior (what you do), the Enneagram focuses on core motivations (why you do it). It also uniquely captures how your personality shifts under different conditions, providing a dynamic rather than static view of personality.