The Enneagram is a typing system much like the zodiac or Myers-Brigg system that, while its roots trace back more than 1600 years in Hermetic tradition, was solidified in the 1950s by two gentlemen named G.I. Gurdjieff and Oscar Ichazo. Like with most typing systems, weāre going to, for the most part, ignore the reasons and the people who created them because theyāre heavily linked with pseudoscience and some weird arcane principles you hear most conspiracy theorists employ during uncomfortable Youtube videos. And much like the zodiac or Myers-Brigg, these systems are often abused as armchair psychology for people to objectify and simplify other people into an easily digestible format, but for characters, they can be a genuinely helpful tool for digging into their psyche and figuring out the things that make them tick.
That said, what is the core of the Enneagram? The Enneagram is based on the principle of nine personality archetypes, with variations, instincts, and levels of healthiness, all of which give you a grand total of potentially 972 combinations depending on your interpretations. But, uh, weāll start by explaining the nine basic types first before we get into all the customization.
Ones ā The Perfection Seeker
Ones are the archetype of the Perfectionist and Reformer. This is the type that wants clear delineation between Good and Bad, who wants to maintain, well, perfect integrity. They are orderly, fastidious, with immensely high standards that they attempt to hold othersāand themselvesāto, resulting often in a highly critical outlook of the world. At their best, these are the Mr. Spocks and Professor McGonagalls. At their worst, these are the Judge Frollos and Dean Hardscrabbles, prone to hypocrisy and intense fixation to rid themselves of That Which is Wrong, which could be within themselvesāor within others. āThey have a stick up their buttā is a common descriptor of Ones.
Basic fear: of being corrupt, being imbalanced, being ābadā
Twos are the archetype of the Lover and Giver, the Helper, always thinking about others before themselvesāwhen healthy. Their self-worth comes from the image of service to others, caring for and being responsible for the ones they love. Love comes in many, many forms though, and so too and Twos, coming in all forms from the selflessly loving Molly Weaslys and Samwise Gamgees, to the monstrous Mother Gothels and Davy Jones, believing they are entitled to whatever they want for being victims in a larger game.
Basic fear: of being unloved
Threes ā The Image Seeker
Threes are the archetype of achievement and success. This is the type of tremendous ambition and tenacity in getting what they want. Constantly pushing themselves to be the best, they yearn to feel valuable, and find value in themselves by making themselves valuable to others. This may sometimes backfire, as in the search for value they may go to some unscrupulous means in which to become valuable. At their best, these are the Princess Tianas and (more kindly written) Scrooge McDucks, and at their very worst, these are the corporate kings, the Yzmas and Lord Voldemorts.
Basic fear: of being worthless or invaluable
Fours ā The Identity Seeker
Four are the picture of the Artiste, the rugged individualists, unique and wholly, entirely themselvesāor, yet another rebel in a sea of rebels, as it were. Often feeling incomplete, they seek to complete themselves, this fear capable of keeping them shackled to old wounds until freeing themselves and finding completion in learning to understand themselves and their emotions. Those that learn to not withdraw into themselves learn to bring a wholly unique perspective, often serving as social commenters in some fashion. The healthiest of Fours can come as Merry Brandybucks and Belle of Beauty and the Beast, to the Phantom of the Opera and Blanche DuBois.
Basic fear: of having no uniqueness or significance
Fives ā The Knowledge Seeker
Fives are the scientist and investigator archetypes. They seek mastery and understanding of why things are the way they are, and of the world around them, finding a form of control in the accumulation of knowledge that no one else has. From this, they stand a dangerous chance of simply withdrawing from society entirely to preoccupy themselves in their thoughts and ideas. Healthy Fives can range from Dipper Pines and Twilight Sparkle to Professor Moriarity and GLaDOS.
Basic fear: of being helpless or incompetent
Sixes ā The Security Seeker
Sixes are equal parts Loyalists and Defenders, full of seemingly paradoxical actions such as being dependent while valuing independence; wanting to trust and yet testing that trust constantly; wanting authority yet fearing it. This is because Sixes are constantly on the scout for danger, and so look to others to put their fears of danger to rest, constantly on the knifeās edge between being faithful and turning away at the first sign of their trust being abused. Sixes can range from Ron Weasleys and Zoe Washburns to the Gollums and Harley Quinns.
Basic fear: of being without support
Sevens ā The Stimulus Seeker
Sevens are the archetypal party-seekers and fun-lovers. Often feeling empty and lonely, they fill this void with pleasures, hedonism, and distractions, moving from one moment to the next. But spending too much energy in the pursuit of stimulus is dangerous for Sevens, and they risk spending themselves into oblivion, giving up on themselves and everything around them. Sevens can range from the charismatic Jack Sparrows and Scarlet oāHaras to the destructive Jokers and Cruella deVilles.
Basic fear: of being in pain or deprived
Eights ā The Power Seeker
Eights are our challengers and authoritarians. Natural leaders, Eights are acutely aware of who holds power and who does notāand often look to put themselves in said positions of power, for both good reasons and bad, stepping in naturally. They dislike complacency and inefficiency, and any display of weakness. As expected, Eights can range from Galadriels and Harry Potters to Azulas and Magnetos.
Basic fear: of being harmed or controlled
Nines ā The Peace Seeker
Nines are the picture of mediation and peacemaking, being adept diplomats and fantasy enthusiasts. Nines seek comfort and serenity above all else, and while this makes them exceptional at diffusing conflict typically, it can put them in danger of becoming indifferent or disengaged from the world around them, retreating into the comfort of their own heads and isolation around them. Nines can range from Bruce Banners and Luna Lovegoods to Victor Frankensteins and Queen Elsas.
Basic fear: of being fragmented and conflicted
Stay tuned, and weāll go into Type wings, levels of healthiness, and subtypes in the next parts!
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