There are several ways to interpret what the gut or body types represent. They may be thought of in terms of sensory-somatic (bodily felt sensation), sensory-motor (physical movement and activity), or instinctual (gut decision making).

This may involve taking action based on one's gut instinct, getting pulled along by the agenda of others, and actively trying to correct what's seen as wrong in the world.

Type 8 can be very direct in going after what they want. There's a big energy available that they often have to sit on so that others aren't overwhelmed by it. The desire is to freely express it and be true to it. They often jump into action by making decisions from the gut instead of taking time to carefully think it through. While this gets things moving and makes things happen it can sometimes cause problems or damage that may have to be repaired later.

Type 8 Anger

The anger triad consists of types 8, 9, and 1. Anger for these types involves the gut or body center. It can be thought of as an energy of will that pushes against obstacles to create movement or resists being pushed.

This may involve pushing through obstacles to get what one wants, stubbornly resisting attempts to be pushed in an undesired direction, and getting people to see what's right and correcting things not done right.

Anger for type 8 is an energy readily drawn upon when needed. It's used to push through obstacles and make things happen. Confrontation often comes easy. It clears the air and gets at the truth of things. When the type 8 or others are unfairly taken advantage of it can sometimes come back as a vengeance to get even or rebalance the scales of justice.

Type 8 Behavioral Center

The core focus of the Enneagram types labels the 891 triad as the Behavioral Center to more clearly differentiate how those types use that center.

• Type 8: Behavioral Assertiveness - pushes through obstacles to get what's wanted.
• Type 9: Behavioral Accommodation - yields to or joins in with the flow of movement.
• Type 1: Behavioral Correctness - discerns right from wrong and acts accordingly.

The Instinctive Triad¹
Types Eight, Nine, and One are concerned with maintaining resistance to reality (creating boundaries for the self that are based on physical tensions). These types tend to have problems with aggression and repression. Underneath their ego defenses they carry a great deal of rage.

Body-based Intuition: Points Eight-Nine-One²

• Eight - Sense of physically enlarging oneself “to fill the space.” Sensing the qualities of presence and power in people and in situations.
• Nine - Taking others within oneself. Like a mirror that absorbs the impression of whoever stands before it, reflecting a replica back to the beholder. At the time of connection the Nine feels merged with the other’s point of view.
• One - Sensing the possibility of perfection in ordinary events. What is incorrect stands out because it is sensed as a foreground error that mars the ongoing perception of “how perfect things could be.”

Body Center³
If you are a Body Center type (Eight, Nine, or One) you tend to filter the world through an intelligence of kinesthetic and physical sensations and gut instinct. You use personal position and power to make life be the way you sense it should be. You devise strategies that ensure your place in the world and minimize discomfort. When threatened, anger and rage occur.

The Anger or Gut Triad (8, 9, 1)⁴
These numbers are driven by anger: Eight externalizes it, Nine forgets it, and One internalizes it. They take in and respond to life instinctually or “at the gut level.” They tend to express themselves honestly and directly.

The Gut or Instinctive Center (Anger)⁵

• Eights present a strong image and are not afraid to express their anger.
• Nines are agreeable, accommodating, and can often be out of touch with their anger.
• Ones see anger as a character flaw and try to hold it back. They follow standards of behavior closely and/or try to better the world.

The “body” center (Points 8, 9, and 1)⁶
includes the “motor” center, which takes an active part in all physical movement, and the “instinctive center,” which corresponds to our instinctual functions. When thought initiates movements within you, your motor center is activated. An impulse from the motor, or gut, center can be a solid guide to right action, but misuse of the motor center can also lead to impulsive behavior or inertia.

¹Book: The Wisdom of the Enneagram; Website: The Enneagram Institute

²Book: The Enneagram; Website: The Narrative Enneagram

³Book: The Essential Enneagram; Website: Dr. David Daniels

⁴Book: The Road Back to You

⁵Book: The Enneagram Made Easy

⁶Book: The Complete Enneagram; Website: Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy

The Gut Type

If your primary or basic Enneagram type is 8 then your primary center is the gut center and type 8 is your gut type.

The remaining two types in your tri-center will come from the other two centers.

The Heart Type

Your heart type will be type 2, 3, or 4.

The heart types are focused on interpreting, expressing, and reacting to one’s own emotions or the emotions of others. More specifically, the heart center focuses on what's emotionally significant in the sense that emotions are an indication of how strongly a person resonates with or against something or someone.

This may involve being attentive to the emotional needs and desires of others, seeking emotional affirmation for oneself from others, and expressing one's own unique emotional impression of the world.

The Head Type

Your head type will be type 5, 6, or 7.

Although the head types can be thought of in terms of reasoning, analyzing, and other typical thinking functions, a useful distinction from the other two centers can be made in terms of anticipating and preparing for future possibilities.

This may involve gathering data and facts in order to better predict outcomes, preparing for negative potentialities that might occur, and planning or pursuing activities that provide enjoyment and avoid discomfort.

Possible Tri-Centers for Type 8

Dominant Type in Each Center with Wings Test
This test determines your dominant type in each center (aka tri-center, trifix, tritype, truetype) along with the wings of those types.
Use when you want to know your tri-center or tri-center with wings.

Enneagram Type Preference Test
This test produces a scored list of all nine types.
Questions are forced-choice, similar to the method used by the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indictor (RHETI).
Use to determine type, wings, gut/heart/head types, and tri-center.

Center Type Comparison Test
This test scores the three types in a given center to determine your dominant type within that center (gut, heart, or head type).
Use when you don't know your dominant type for one of the centers.

Type Comparison Test
This test compares any two types, producing a score for each.
Use when unsure of your tri-center order or which of two types is preferred for a center.