The Enneagram system divides its nine personality types into three centers of intelligence, also known as Enneagram triads. These centers represent the primary way each type processes the world—through thinking, feeling, or instinct.

• 1. The Body (Instinctive) Center – Types 8, 9, and 1 rely on their instincts and bodily intuition. They focus on control, autonomy, and resisting external influence.
• 2. The Heart (Feeling) Center – Types 2, 3, and 4 are emotionally driven and seek validation through relationships and personal identity. Their dominant emotion is shame, influencing their self-perception and interactions.
• 3. The Head (Thinking) Center – Types 5, 6, and 7 prioritize logic, security, and planning. Their dominant emotion is fear, shaping how they seek safety and certainty in life.

In the Enneagram system, wings refer to the two numbers adjacent to your core type, influencing your personality by adding complementary traits. While your main Enneagram type remains dominant, one wing is usually more pronounced, shaping how your core motivations and behaviors manifest.
For example, a Type 1 (The Perfectionist) can have a 9 wing (1w9), making them more calm, diplomatic, and introspective, or a 2 wing (1w2), making them more empathetic, people-oriented, and driven to help others. While both are perfectionistic, a 1w9 may be more reserved and idealistic, whereas a 1w2 may be more engaged in social causes and personal relationships.
Enneagram wings also highlight the influence of neighboring types, allowing individuals to tap into a broader range of characteristics and behaviors, enhancing their adaptability and personal development.
Understanding your Enneagram wings helps refine self-awareness by revealing nuances in your personality, allowing for deeper personal growth and improved relationships.

In the Enneagram system, arrows represent the lines connecting different types on the diagram, illustrating how individuals can move towards growth or stress. Each type has two arrows: one pointing to a type that represents a growth direction (integration) and another pointing to a type that indicates a stress response (disintegration).
When individuals are in a healthy state, they may exhibit qualities of the type their growth arrow points to. For example, a Type 1 (The Perfectionist) may integrate towards Type 7 (The Enthusiast), adopting a more joyful, spontaneous, and open-minded approach to life. Conversely, in times of stress, a Type 1 may disintegrate towards Type 4 (The Individualist), becoming more self-critical and withdrawn.
Understanding Enneagram arrows helps individuals recognize patterns in their behavior during different emotional states, providing valuable insights for personal development and emotional well-being. By being aware of these dynamics, individuals can strive for healthier responses and embrace growth opportunities.