27 subtypes

This body of work was developed and taught by Claudio Naranjo (1932–2019), a Chilean psychiatrist, psychotherapist, teacher, and author. He played an important role in bringing the Enneagram of Personality into modern psychological study. Building on the earlier work of Oscar Ichazo, Naranjo integrated insights from psychology, personal observation, and his work with groups to develop the 27 instinctual subtypes.

Each Enneagram type can be expressed through 3 instinctual focuses: Self-Preservation, Social, and Sexual / One-to-One. The 3 variations of each Enneagram type creates the 27 subtypes.

Your core type describes your central personality pattern. Your instinctual focus influences where your attention, energy, and concerns tend to go. It can help explain why people with the same Enneagram type may behave quite differently.

The Three Instincts

SELF-PRESERVATION

Concerned with personal wellbeing, safety, health, resources, comfort, and practical security.

People who strongly focus on this instinct may pay close attention to matters such as their home, finances, physical needs, routines, energy, and having enough for the future. Their attention is often drawn towards creating stability and taking care of practical life needs.

SOCIAL

Concerned with belonging, participation, contribution, and one’s place within groups and communities.

People who strongly focus on this instinct may be attentive to relationships within teams, families, organisations, and wider communities. They may be interested in how they fit in, what is happening around them, and how they can contribute, connect, or make an impact.

SEXUAL (ONE-TO-ONE)

Concerned with attraction, chemistry, intensity, and connection with specific people, interests, or experiences.

People who strongly focus on this instinct may seek aliveness, depth, and strong engagement. This does not refer only to romantic relationships; it can also show up as intense involvement with a person, passion, project, idea, or experience.

Why Is It Important?

At times, a core Enneagram type on its own may not fully explain the differences we see between people of the same type. Although they share essential motivations and patterns, they may express these in noticeably different ways.

Wings can add flavour to a core type, but Subtypes offer a further layer of understanding. They help explain why two people with the same type may focus on different areas of life, display different characteristics, and use different coping strategies.

TYPES SELF-PRESERVATION SOCIAL SEXUAL (ONE-TO-ONE)

TYPE 1

WORRY – Focuses on personal improvement, responsibility, and getting practical matters right. May seek security through high standards, self-discipline, structure, and predictability.

NON-ADAPTABILITY  – Focuses on moral order, fairness, and improving systems or communities. May feel called to uphold principles and speak out about what is right.
 

ZEAL – Focuses on improvement in close relationships. May feel a strong urge to guide, correct, or encourage others towards higher standards. *COUNTERTYPE

TYPE 2

PRIVILEGE – Seeks care, affection, and reassurance, while also wanting to feel valued and looked after. May give support while hoping to receive attention and love in return. *COUNTERTYPE

AMBITION – Seeks connection, approval, and belonging through helpfulness, contribution, leadership, or guidance within groups.

SEDUCTION – Seeks love and connection through personal warmth, attraction, and attentive care. May place strong importance on being desired or significant to another person.

TYPE 3

SECURITY – Focuses on working hard, being capable, and building practical security. May pursue achievement quietly, valuing results and self-sufficiency over public recognition. *COUNTERTYPE

PRESTIGE – Focuses on success, recognition, and reputation within groups or society. May be highly aware of what is valued and work towards visible competence or status.

CHARISMA – Focuses on being attractive, supportive, and admirable in close connections. May seek affirmation through personal impact, charm, and being valued by others.

TYPE 4

TENACITY – May endure emotional difficulty privately and appear strong or stoic in the face of hardship. Often prefers not to reveal the full depth of their feelings. *COUNTERTYPE

SHAME – May be especially aware of comparison, belonging, and how they are perceived by others. Often seeks authenticity and meaning while feeling different or misunderstood.

COMPETITION – May express emotions with intensity in close relationships. Often longs for deep connection and may become more competitive or demanding when longing and envy are activated.

TYPE 5

CASTLE – Focuses on privacy, independence, and conserving time, energy, and resources. May create strong boundaries to feel safe and self-sufficient.

TOTEM – Focuses on knowledge, expertise, and meaningful participation through specialised interests or shared learning. May seek connection through ideas and intellectual contribution.

CONFIDANT – Focuses on deep connection with selected people, interests, or pursuits. May bring intensity and curiosity to a few close bonds while remaining private in other areas. *COUNTERTYPE

TYPE 6

WARMTH – Focuses on safety, practical support, and creating a stable environment. May seek reassurance through preparation, routines, and dependable relationships.

DUTY – Focuses on loyalty, responsibility, and belonging within groups. May be attentive to rules, shared obligations, and contributing to the wellbeing of a community.

STRENGTH – May meet fear with courage, intensity, or assertiveness. Values trust and loyalty deeply, and may challenge situations or people in an effort to feel secure. *COUNTERTYPE

TYPE 7

KEEPERS OF THE CASTLE – Focuses on comfort, opportunities, and practical security. May be resourceful in creating enjoyable options, safety nets, and a well-provided-for life.

SACRIFICE – Focuses on contribution, shared ideals, and creating positive experiences for others. May be generous and engaged in causes, communities, or group activities. *COUNTERTYPE

SUGGESTABILITY – Focuses on excitement, possibility, romance, and intense engagement. May be highly optimistic and imaginative, with a tendency to focus on what is inspiring or pleasurable.

TYPE 8

SATISFACTION – Focuses on independence, resourcefulness, and meeting practical needs directly. May work hard to maintain control over their environment, resources, and security.

SOLIDARITY – Focuses on protecting others, exerting influence, and standing up for fairness within groups. May be concerned with loyalty, justice, and defending those they care about. *COUNTERTYPE

POSSESSION – Focuses on intensity, directness, and strong personal connection. May be passionate and forceful in pursuing what they want or protecting what matters to them.

TYPE 9

APPETITE – Focuses on comfort, routine, and maintaining personal peace. May become absorbed in familiar activities or comforts that help avoid tension or discomfort.

PARTICIPATION – Focuses on belonging, contribution, and harmony in groups. May be accommodating and dependable, putting energy into shared activities and community needs. *COUNTERTYPE

FUSION – Focuses on closeness, harmony, and connection with important people. May merge with others’ preferences or priorities and lose touch with their own needs.

SP SO SX

 

TYPE 1

WORRY – Focuses on personal improvement, responsibility, and getting practical matters right. May seek security through high standards, self-discipline, structure, and predictability.

NON-ADAPTABILITY  – Focuses on moral order, fairness, and improving systems or communities. May feel called to uphold principles and speak out about what is right.

ZEAL – Focuses on improvement in close relationships. May feel a strong urge to guide, correct, or encourage others towards higher standards. *COUNTERTYPE

 

TYPE 2

PRIVILEGE – Seeks care, affection, and reassurance, while also wanting to feel valued and looked after. May give support while hoping to receive attention and love in return. *COUNTERTYPE

AMBITION – Seeks connection, approval, and belonging through helpfulness, contribution, leadership, or guidance within groups.

SEDUCTION – Seeks love and connection through personal warmth, attraction, and attentive care. May place strong importance on being desired or significant to another person.

 

TYPE 3

SECURITY – Focuses on working hard, being capable, and building practical security. May pursue achievement quietly, valuing results and self-sufficiency over public recognition. *COUNTERTYPE

PRESTIGE – Focuses on success, recognition, and reputation within groups or society. May be highly aware of what is valued and work towards visible competence or status.

CHARISMA – Focuses on being attractive, supportive, and admirable in close connections. May seek affirmation through personal impact, charm, and being valued by others.

 

TYPE 4

TENACITY – May endure emotional difficulty privately and appear strong or stoic in the face of hardship. Often prefers not to reveal the full depth of their feelings. *COUNTERTYPE

SHAME – May be especially aware of comparison, belonging, and how they are perceived by others. Often seeks authenticity and meaning while feeling different or misunderstood.

COMPETITION – May express emotions with intensity in close relationships. Often longs for deep connection and may become more competitive or demanding when longing and envy are activated.

 

TYPE 5

CASTLE – Focuses on privacy, independence, and conserving time, energy, and resources. May create strong boundaries to feel safe and self-sufficient.

TOTEM – Focuses on knowledge, expertise, and meaningful participation through specialised interests or shared learning. May seek connection through ideas and intellectual contribution.

CONFIDANT – Focuses on deep connection with selected people, interests, or pursuits. May bring intensity and curiosity to a few close bonds while remaining private in other areas. *COUNTERTYPE

 

TYPE 6

WARMTH – Focuses on safety, practical support, and creating a stable environment. May seek reassurance through preparation, routines, and dependable relationships.

DUTY – Focuses on loyalty, responsibility, and belonging within groups. May be attentive to rules, shared obligations, and contributing to the wellbeing of a community.

STRENGTH – May meet fear with courage, intensity, or assertiveness. Values trust and loyalty deeply, and may challenge situations or people in an effort to feel secure. *COUNTERTYPE

 

TYPE 7

KEEPERS OF THE CASTLE – Focuses on comfort, opportunities, and practical security. May be resourceful in creating enjoyable options, safety nets, and a well-provided-for life.

SACRIFICE – Focuses on contribution, shared ideals, and creating positive experiences for others. May be generous and engaged in causes, communities, or group activities. *COUNTERTYPE

SUGGESTABILITY – Focuses on excitement, possibility, romance, and intense engagement. May be highly optimistic and imaginative, with a tendency to focus on what is inspiring or pleasurable.

 

TYPE 8

SATISFACTION – Focuses on independence, resourcefulness, and meeting practical needs directly. May work hard to maintain control over their environment, resources, and security.

SOLIDARITY – Focuses on protecting others, exerting influence, and standing up for fairness within groups. May be concerned with loyalty, justice, and defending those they care about. *COUNTERTYPE

POSSESSION – Focuses on intensity, directness, and strong personal connection. May be passionate and forceful in pursuing what they want or protecting what matters to them.

 

TYPE 9

APPETITE – Focuses on comfort, routine, and maintaining personal peace. May become absorbed in familiar activities or comforts that help avoid tension or discomfort.

PARTICIPATION – Focuses on belonging, contribution, and harmony in groups. May be accommodating and dependable, putting energy into shared activities and community needs. *COUNTERTYPE

FUSION – Focuses on closeness, harmony, and connection with important people. May merge with others’ preferences or priorities and lose touch with their own needs.

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