What’s this Enneagram thing?
· Angie Morgan
You may have heard of the Enneagram by now, as it is a trending topic these days. People are talking about their “number” and what “wing” they have or “triad” they are in. While it may seem like just another facebook quiz about what Disney princess you are, it actually has some deep roots, meaning, and application into our core being as humans.
Personality Test?
The Enneagram is a personality typing system whose roots date back as early as the 4th century. It has been influenced by many ancient wisdom traditions, including Christianity, mystical Judaism, Islam, Toaism, Buddhism, psychology, and ancient Greek philosophy. Oscar Ichazo, who was born and raised in South America, was known to have brought the “Traditional Enneagram” to the United States in the 1970’s. The Enneagram is traditionally taught orally and in reference to an ancient symbol.
Enneagram ancient symbol
What are the 9 types?
The Enneagram is comprised of nine fundamental personality types that combine in different ways with wings and subtypes to create more than 54 unique personality types. The nine fundamental types are typically referenced by their number or type descriptor. The nine types are:
- The Reformer
- The Helper
- The Achiever
- The Individualist
- The Investigator
- The Loyalist
- The Enthusiast
- The Challenger
- The Peacemaker
What type am I?
Enneagram experts have differing views on how to find your type, with some recommending taking a test and some recommending simply reading and studying the information. Experts also have differing views on nature versus nurture, that is, whether we are born with our number or if it develops based on our environment. Stay tuned for more on the Enneagram!