What is the Enneagram?
The Nine Types
The Enneagram is a symbol that's commonly used to represent nine personality types where each type is represented by one of the nine numbers on the symbol.
Your Enneagram type is the type that best fits for you.
Type Variations
In addition to your Enneagram type, several concepts are often used with the types to describe subtypes or variations of type leading to more subtle distinctions for your type.
The Wings
The wings are the two types on either side of your type. They create variations for each type. One wing may have more of an influence than the other, both wings may have an equal influence, or neither wing may have much of an influence.
The Instincts
The self-preservation (sp), sexual (sx), and social (so) instincts create three variations or subtypes of each type. The instincts are also used on their own in what can be called a preferential stacking. The instinctual stacking of two people can point out both similarities and differences independent of Enneagram type.
Tritype
Tritype sees a person in terms of three Enneagram types: one type from each of the three centers. You still have a dominant Enneagram type but two other types from the two other centers influence and create a variation of that dominant type.
If this is all new to you and you would like a simple yet comprehensive overview of the types, their variations, and all the other terminology and concepts associated with the Enneagram then get the book Quick Guide to the Enneagram.
If you'd like a more in-depth exploration of the Enneagram types, their variations, and how to use the symbol then take a look at other books in the Enneagram User Guide series of books. Personality and Ego was published November 2017. Three additional books in the series are expected throughout 2018 and possibly into 2019.
