While knowing your dominant Enneagram personality type can teach you a lot about yourself, learning about enneagram wings can further enhance your understanding. Using the helpful Enneagram wing descriptions in this article, you can begin to explore all 18 enneagram wings to become more aware of your motivations and actions in your decision-making.

Each of the nine Enneagram personality types has two different possibilities for a wing type, making 18 Enneagram wings total. You can most likely discover your wing type by choosing which one you relate to the most. However, which wing you rely on can sometimes change based on fluctuating life events.

What Is an Enneagram Wing?

An Enneagram wing(s) are the two types in the triad next to your dominant personality type.  Each Enneagram type has two numbers directly beside it.  These two numbers are the wings of the dominant personality type.

Everyone has a unique sense of personality. The description you read for each Enneagram personality type are helpful summaries; however, there will always be variances in how every individual interacts, even though they may share the same Enneagram number.

Wings are one of the ways the enneagram uses to explain further and understand the complexities of personality.  Enneagram wings can influence thinking and behavior because individuals will still identify with some of the core motivations of these adjacent types. Everyone has a dominant personality type but can also relate to each type in various ways. 

Why Understanding Enneagram Wings Is Important

Understanding Enneagram wings is important because the wings of each personality type affect each type in significant ways and can be used to further understand an individual’s motivations.  Recognizing each enneagram wing’s influence can help you avoid weaknesses or lean into their strengths when needed.

The wings of each type can seemingly contradict the dominant Enneagram personality types they are attached to.  Understanding these attributes provide an opportunity to grow and develop helpful characteristics further.

Learning about enneagram wings can help you discover, enhance your journey of self-discovery, better understand others, and strengthen relationships.

Once you understand your Enneagram wing type, you can use the knowledge you’ve gained to better yourself as a person by recognizing your behaviors.  This process can help you develop desirable qualities to avoid blindly hurting yourself and others. Expanding your perspective by exploring enneagram wings can help you experience happier and healthier relationships.

How Do Enneagram Wings Work?

Enneagram wings work by influencing your dominant Enneagram personality type in decision-making, complimenting or contradicting your dominant type’s traits, and enhancing your personality.

Ian Cron describes how enneagram wings work as a seasoning to our core type.  In the same way that different spices are added to foods to enhance or influence their flavor, enneagram wings “season” the dominant type as individuals draw from each wing’s unique qualities, thus adding variety to their personality.

How Do Wings Influence Your Type

The wings of each enneagram type can influence your personality type both positively or negatively.  An individual’s ability to monitor how motivations affect them relies upon how self-aware they are.  Engaging in exploratory work to assess one’s health and emotional intelligence is certainly worthwhile.

How Wings Can Make the Same Enneagram Type Appear Different

Your enneagram wings can impact your thought process and behavioral patterns to make you appear to possess that number as your dominant type.  This confusion can happen because your dominant enneagram wing and dominant Enneagram type have different motivations. 

Therefore, it is important to understand the motivations of each enneagram type and which one you most identify with so that you can maximize or limit the influence of each wing.

Enneagram wings can influence the dominant personality type differently because they are dynamic rather than static.  This explains why people with the same dominant Enneagram type can have different personalities from one another.

How to Draw from Both Wings of Your Dominant Type

You only have one dominant Enneagram wing type, but you can still tune into your wings and use the attributes of both in everyday life.  Doing work to develop self-awareness and emotional IQ can help you draw from the two wings of your dominant type in helpful ways.

For example, a healthy Enneagram 4 can develop both the third and fifth wing attributes over time. When in public, they can use the outgoing and entertaining qualities of the third wing. While in their own space, they can use the thoughtfulness and focusing qualities of the fifth wing to get their chores done.

Every individual can draw from the unique strengths of their enneagram wings as they become a more self-aware and intentional person.

4 Practical Tips To Help You Draw From Both Wings Of Your Dominant Type:

• Understand Your Enneagram Type: By understanding your type, you can learn your behavioral patterns and personality traits.
• Develop Self-Awareness: By becoming more self-aware, you can learn more about your strengths and weaknesses to recognize your actions and better yourself.
• Practice Acceptance And Loving Yourself: Sometimes, being hard on yourself can cause more harm than good.  It’s best to accept your unique and healthy qualities and love you for who you are. We can’t change some things about ourselves, but that’s okay because no one is perfect.
• Apply What You Know: Once you understand how your dominant type and wings influence you, you should begin trying to apply what you know as you navigate your thoughts and relationships.

Sources: PsychReel, Enneagram Institute, The Enneagram In Business

What Is My Enneagram Wing?

Your enneagram wing(s) are the two numbers directly next to your dominant type.  Those new to the Enneagram of Personality might wonder if their wing could be any of the nine numbers, but this isn’t possible.

For example, if your dominant type is 5, your wing cannot be a two.  The wings of an Enneagram Five can only be 4 and 6. Your Enneagram wings can only be adjacent to your dominant personality type.

Sometimes, your dominant wing can be so strong that it makes you uncertain if it is actually your personality type.  If you are unsure of your type, check out the post, How to Find Your Enneagram With 4 Helpful Tips.  Or visit, The 4 Best Free Enneagram Tests Online.  Taking an Enneagram test can help you identify your dominant enneagram and wing types.

Sources: Mind Body Green, Personality Path

How Do I Determine My Enneagram Wing?

Similar to discovering your enneagram, to determine your dominant enneagram wing, you should consider the motivations of each wing and which ones you tend to lean toward the most.  Because some people can unconsciously be in tune with both of their Enneagram wings, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which one is their dominant wing.  Learning more about each wing, including its strengths and weaknesses, is the best way to understand which wing you depend on.

The Enneagram Wings Of Each Type

The 9 Enneagram types and their wings:

• Type One, The Reformer: 1w9, 1w2
• Type Two, The Helper: 2w1, 2w3
• Type Three, The Achiever: 3w2, 3w4
• Type Four, The Individualist: 4w3, 4w5
• Type Five, The Observer: 5w4, 5w6
• Type Six, The Loyalist: 6w5, 6w7
• Type Seven, The Enthusiast: 7w6, 7w8
• Type Eight, The Challenger: 8w7, 8w9
• Type Nine, The Peacemaker: 9w8, 9w1

Enneagram Wings Description

Even if two people share the same dominant Enneagram personality type, they can seem very different depending on how influenced they are by their wing type. Your Enneagram wing type is like the seasoning to your personality type because it adds flavor to your overall personality. Your traits can enhance or contradict the normal behaviors of your personality type.

Enneagram 1 Wings

1w9

An enneagram 1w9 will tend to be more introverted than a 1w2. You think before you speak to avoid saying something that goes against your morals. Sometimes, you take so long to think that you can be a bit of a procrastinator. This wing type is better at maintaining relationships.

1w2

An enneagram 1w2 tends to be extroverted and outgoing with a warm nature. You are more empathetic and understanding than a 1w2 and feel inclined to help the people around you. You’re an excellent problem-solver, but you also can be a little more critical and controlling.

Enneagram 2 Wings

2w1

An enneagram 2w1 is inclined to help people but is more concerned with providing the proper help that meshes with your morals. Your goal is to be seen as someone others can depend on and a responsible figure. With this wing, you can be more critical of yourself and have trouble expressing your needs.

2w3

Enneagram 2w3’s are more ambitious and image-conscious than the 2w1. You are very extroverted and more inclined to connect with the people around you. You make an excellent leader because you are also quite competitive. You like to be seen as an expert.

Enneagram 3 Wings

3w2

Enneagram 3w2s are charming and persistent, making excellent entertainers or salespeople. You crave attention from the people around you, but you can get angry or aggressive if you don’t receive it. Though you want to be recognized for your achievements, you still help others.

3w4

An enneagram 3w4 cares more about staying authentic to yourself than a 3w2. You can get confused because your dominant type is more of a social chameleon, while your wing type values being seen as unique. You pretend to be someone for a crowd but know you’re not yourself.

Enneagram 4 Wings

4w3

As a 4w3, you want to be unique and the best because you have competitive energy. Because of the third wing’s influence on being image-conscious, you’re more aware of dialing back your emotional intensity than the fourth type with the fifth wing. You want to be different but socially accepted.

4w5

4w5’s are more introverted as both of these influences don’t mind being alone. You have unique artistic interests because you are attracted to the avant-garde and eccentric. You value how you are different from others but have less need to be noticed than the fourth type with the fifth wing.

Enneagram 5 Wings

5w4

An enneagram 5w4 is more sensitive. Sometimes you can come off as more self-absorbed than a 5w6. You are more independent as both type fives and fours enjoy their own company. You have a creative and eccentric personality, which means you are drawn to the unusual.

5w6

An enneagram 5w6 tends to be more anxious and cautious, influenced by both types. However, you have a more social life than the 5w4, and you are loyal to your loved ones. You are aware of your fear, so you surround yourself with people. You can also sometimes come off as socially awkward.

Enneagram 6 Wings

6w5

A 6w5 is more introverted, self-controlled, and intellectual than a 6w7. The people you surround yourself with are leaders and others who share the same values. You enjoy your privacy and are sometimes seen as aloof because the fifth wing influences you.

6w7

An enneagram 6w7 can be playful and entertaining. You’re much more outgoing and adventurous for a dominant type six but not as risky as a dominant type seven. Since sixes are run by anxiety, you always have a backup plan if your adventures go wrong.

Enneagram 7 Wings

7w6

An enneagram 7w6 is more settled rather than rambunctious. You take more time to work on projects before moving on, so your pace is slower than a typical type seven. You commit to relationships more as a 7w6 than those with a dominant eight wing.

7w8

A 7w8 can appear to be reckless because of your quick pace and competitive, bold attitude. When expressing your ideas, you can be assertive and even get aggressive when others do not agree with you. You are more focused on having a good time than gaining more power.

Enneagram 8 Wings

8w7

Enneagram 8w7s are more outgoing, energetic, and fun. You are ambitious and determined to make a change but can make impulsive and reckless decisions. You like to make the most out of nothing and live your life to its fullest. You are more social than a typical type eight.

8w9

An enneagram 8w9 is typically more organized and prepared than an 8w7. You are easier to approach and cooperate better with others in the competition. By the influence of the ninth wing, you make an excellent mediator rather than being the source of conflict as a typical eight can be.

Enneagram 9 Wings

9w8

An enneagram 9w8 can often feel conflicted because type nines avoid anger while the eight wing influences it. You are more confident while having stubborn and passive-aggressive tendencies. You have more access to your anger to express your emotions openly when there is conflict.

9w1

An enneagram  9w1 has a stronger sense between right and wrong to focus on accomplishing their goals. Unlike type nine with an eight wing, you are more introverted and critical toward yourself than others. Through the influence of wing one, you are more likely to take part in social justice.

Sources: Ian Morgan Cron

The Best Enneagram Wings Test

Truity

Benefits of The Truity Enneagram Wings Test:

• Excellent Rating: This test has a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating.
• In-Depth: This test shows your dominant Enneagram personality type, your Enneagram wing type, and how you score for all of the remaining types.
• Quick: This test has 105 simple questions and takes about ten minutes to complete.
• Free

To take the Free Enneagram Test offered by Truity, click HERE!

Cloverleaf

Benefits of The Cloverleaf Enneagram Wings Test:

• In-Depth: This test shows your dominant Enneagram personality type, your Enneagram wing type, the Enneagram triad you belong to, and an overview of characteristics your dominant personality and wing types display.
• Quick: This test has 22 pages of questions and takes about ten to 15 minutes to complete.
• Free
• Insightful: After taking this test, you can choose to receive Cloverleaf’s feedback through email or on their online platform to improve your daily life.

To take the Free Enneagram Test offered by Cloverleaf, click HERE!

Crystal

Benefits of The Crystal Enneagram Wings Test:

• In-Depth: This test shows you an overview of your dominant Enneagram personality type, your basic desire, your basic fear, your communication style, and your wing types.
• Simple: This test asks you to rank each statement one through five based on how much you agree it describes you.
• Free: This test requires no purchase.
• Helpful: After taking this test, Crystal links you to other free Enneagram resources for more in-depth research on the Enneagram of Personality.

To take the Free Enneagram Test offered by Crystal Knows, click HERE!

IEQ9

Benefits of The Integrative Enneagram Questionnaire:

• Accurate: This test is reliable and highly accurate, with a 95% accuracy rating.
• In-Depth: This test provides your Enneagram profile, and teaches you about the 27 subtypes, the Enneagram centers of intelligence, the Enneagram wings, the lines, the levels of integration, and the six dimensions of stress and strain.
• Medium-Paced: This test consists of 22 pages of questions and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
• Fair-Priced: This test’s standard version costs $60, while the professional version, which contains even more background, costs $120.

For more information about the iEQ9 assessment or to purchase, CLICK HERE.

Enneagram Wings Summary

Understanding how enneagram wings relate to and influence your dominant type is beneficial to your journey of self-discovery.  Every person is unique, and the wings of each enneagram type further enhance their personality.  Studying the wings of each enneagram type is useful for further explaining and understanding the human personality.