This Ancient Personality System Sheds Light On Your Deepest Fears & Desires

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Understanding your Enneagram type allows you to understand the world and why you behave the way you do, she adds. And as Enneagram educator and life coach Gina Gomez previously wrote for mindbodygreen, the Enneagram may be a personality test, but it offers much more than just that. "It's a deep dive into our behavioral patterns. It allows us to see ourselves with compassion and the acceptance we've all been longing for," she explains.

In terms of its history, Nguyen notes that the origins of the Enneagram are up for debate, "but what is agreed upon is that the Enneagram is made up of several different philosophy components derived from ancient Greek philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, and mystical Judaism."

Type Ones, or the "Reformers," are known for being logical and virtuous hard workers who often suppress their true desires. They have a deep need to be good, right, and even perfect, prioritizing morality and ethics. They can also be idealistic about the future and making the world a better place.

In terms of wings, a One with a Nine wing (1w9) will strive for perfection within themselves, while a One with a Two wing (1w2) will try to bring that perfection into society to be shared with others.

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Enneagram type Twos, or the "Helpers," are characterized by a need to be needed and serve others. They are friendly, loving, and eager to help other people, but can often wind up ignoring their own needs in the process. Type Twos are typically likable, upbeat, and positive, but may over-identify with how other people feel about them.

Further, the Two with a One wing (2w1) is more likely to help others on an individual basis, while a Two with a Three wing (2w3) will feel a stronger call to help larger groups.

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When it comes to type Threes, also known as the "Achievers", this Enneagram type is all about what they can do in the world to receive recognition. They want to be successful, but it has a great deal to do with their image and appearance. This type is goal-oriented, ambitious, and fast-paced, and known to overwork themselves for the approval of others.

In terms of a Three's wings, a 3w2 (Three with a Two wing) will prioritize being the best in order to help other people, while a 3w4 (Three with a Four wing) will want to embody their individuality in the best way.

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Type Fours, or the "Individualists," according to the Enneagram system, are independent and free-spirited, but this also means they often feel misunderstood by everyone else. These people are the "seekers" of the bunch, unafraid to ask deep questions about their purpose, identity, and overall life. Imaginative, deep thinkers, and sometimes melancholic, this type is also known to isolate themselves.

In terms of wings, a Four with a Three wing (4w3) will be more inclined to share their individuality with others, while a Four with a Five wing (4w5) will be more reserved and express that individuality through creative pursuits.

In the Enneagram, type Fives, or the "Investigators", are inquisitive, analytical, and pretty recluse. They can be thought of as slightly removed from others, but it's just because they value privacy and alone time. This type is genuinely excited to talk about things they know about, and they value self-reliance as well as logic.

The main difference between a 5w4 and a 5w6 (a Five's possible wings) is the 5w4 is more concerned with fulfilling a purpose through their capabilities, while a 5w6 wants to use their capabilities to create a sense of safety and security.

Type Sixes, or the "Loyalists" of the Enneagram, prioritize feeling safe and secure in the world. They're always looking out for how things could go wrong, so they get a reputation for being scaredy-cats. But in truth, they can actually be quite brave when it really counts, especially with regard to a cause they care about. They are loyal, albeit a bit anxiety-ridden.

When it comes to Six wings, a 6w5 (Six with a Five wing) tends to be much more introverted, while a 6w7 (Six with a Seven wing) want to make sure things are safe so they can enjoy themselves in the company of others.

The type Sevens of the Enneagram, or the "Enthusiasts," are most concerned with avoiding pain—and boredom. As such, they like to keep busy, full of energy that makes them seek out fun and adventure. However, when they overbook themselves (which they're known to do) they can easily become stressed and overwhelmed. They have strong potential to achieve, but only when they can apply their talents with focus.

In terms of this type's wings, a 7w6 (Seven with a Six wing) will want fun and adventure that feels safe, while a 7w8 (Seven with an Eight wing) while seek out opportunities to challenge themselves.

Type Eights, or the "Challengers," are fierce, assertive, and not afraid of confrontation. They'll stop at virtually nothing in order to maintain a strong sense of control over their own lives—and sometimes others'. They do not like appearing weak or vulnerable, and they're known to withdraw in an effort to protect themselves. That said, they do have a softer side when it comes to their loved ones.

The main difference between an 8w7 (Eight with a Seven wing) and an 8w9 (Eight with a Nine wing) is that the 8w7 uses their bold assertiveness to seek out good times to be had, while the 8w9 uses it to protect others.

Last but certainly not least, we have type Nines, or the "Peacemakers" of the Enneagram. This type is characterized by a keen ability to take in multiple perspectives, as well as meditate and literally make peace. That said, they can go so far as to abandon their own needs for the sake of others, even unconsciously. They're inclined to go with the flow in order to keep the peace, even if that means doing things they don't want to do.

The primary difference between a 9w8 (Nine with an Eight wing) and a 9w1 (Nine with a One wing) is that the 9w8 likes a challenge and isn't afraid to assert themselves in an effort to achieve peace, while the 9w1 is more inclined to seek peace through perfectionism.

The Enneagram wings are the two numbers on either side of one type, and many people will display a unique combination of their dominant type with aspects of one of the wings more so than the other.

As Nguyen tells mindbodygreen, "If you identify as a type One, your wings would be Nine or Two, so it'd be a 1w9 or 1w2, and this influences the way you view the world and extrovert your energy." Sticking with that example, she adds that if you're a type One who lean towards your Nine wing, you're likely to prioritize harmony, whereas if you lean towards the Two wing, you're likely to channel your desire to improve the world on to other people.

Understanding your wings is important, Nguyen adds, because "it offers texture to numbers and presents further language for you to examine your behaviors have greater nuance, which gives you an opportunity for growth and multi-dimensional understanding."

To find your wing, you would take an Enneagram assessment and look to see which wing on either side of your dominant type has the higher score. That number is your wing.

Here's a full explainer on Enneagram wings for more information.