The Enneagram Series #5 Finding Your Subtype

Descriptions of all 27 Subtypes and why Subtypes matter

Feb 18, 2025

It took me a while to find my Enneagram type. The online quizzes had me fairly even between Type One and Type Eight, and I related to certain elements of each type. With further research and understanding, I landed on Type One, but it wasn’t until I learned about the subtypes that I fully understood why I related to Type Eight. My Subtype (SX One) is the countertype, meaning my core instincts and emotional drives contradict typical One behavior. Learning about the subtypes was so eye-opening for me and I hope this post widens your understanding of The Enneagram as well!

Read on for an introduction to subtypes, descriptions of all 27 subtypes, and why subtypes matter.

The concept of subtypes within the Enneagram was pioneered by Óscar Ichazo, the founder of the Arica School, in the 1970s. Ichazo introduced the idea that each of the nine Enneagram types has three instinctual variants, which he referred to as instinctual drives:

Self-Preservation (SP) – Focused on survival, security, and comfort.
Social (SO) – Oriented toward group belonging, status, and relationships.
Sexual (SX) (also called One-to-One) – Driven by intensity, attraction, and deep connections.

Later, Claudio Naranjo, a Chilean psychiatrist and Enneagram teacher, expanded upon Ichazo’s work. Naranjo integrated modern psychology with the Enneagram system and developed a more nuanced understanding of how these instinctual drives interact with each of the nine personality types, forming 27 distinct subtypes (9 types × 3 instincts).

The Countertype Theory refers to how one of the three instinctual subtypes for each Enneagram type works against or contradicts the core type's usual patterns. While the typical expression of a type follows predictable behaviors and motivations, the countertype displays behaviors that may seem at odds with that type’s core fears and desires.

Claudio Naranjo observed that within each of the nine Enneagram types, one subtype acts against the grain of the type’s usual presentation, often making it harder to recognize that individual’s core Enneagram type.

Descriptions of all 27 Subtypes

(Countertypes are marked with *)

Type One: The Perfectionist

Self-Preservation One ("Worry")

The most self-critical of the three type one subtypes, the self-preservation one, focuses on self-discipline to avoid mistakes. They feel responsible for their environment, even when circumstances are out of their control, which leads to vigilant adherence to the rules. To others, they appear composed, effortlessly perfect, and prepared.

Social One ("Non-Adaptability")

Driven by high ideals, the social one wishes to reform society. They have a strong sense of morality and duty to their community, although they can come across as morally superior in their efforts to enact change. They are strong leaders when they don’t get caught up in their judgments of others.

*Sexual One ("Zeal")

More passionate and intense than the typical one, Sexual ones fixate on their primary partnership, often projecting their idea of perfection onto them. They can be critical, inspiring, and obsessive in their pursuit of perfection. At their unhealthiest, they make exceptions for their own bad behavior while refusing to give grace to others when they make mistakes.

Type Two: The Helper

*Self-Preservation Two ("Privilege")

More self-focused than the other two types, the self-preservation two gives readily but expects loyalty in return. They have an air of entitlement, believing that their level of care warrants their needs being met first. Self-preservation twos are more willing to form boundaries with others and state their needs directly, offering help only when trust is formed.

Social Two ("Ambition")

Competitive with other “givers,” the social two strives to be the one who knows exactly what people need; the primary helper of those they are close to. Focused on gaining social recognition in their groups, they are skilled at remembering personal details, initiating help when needed, and putting in the bulk of the work when coordinating group events.

Sexual Two ("Seduction")

Primarily focused on gaining affection from an intimate partner, the Sexual two will become whatever they need to be to win over the object of their affection. They are charming, possessive, and emotionally intense in relationships but offer the deepest bond to their partners, always willing to provide whatever they may need or want.

Type Three: The Achiever

*Self-Preservation Three ("Security")

Focused on stability, financial success, and practicality, the self-preservation three is more focused on self-sufficiency than external validation. They often demonstrate workaholic tendencies, believing that their worth is measured by tangible success.

Social Three ("Prestige")

Image-conscious, demonstrative, and ostentatious, the social three strives to be admired. Highly aware of public perception, they work hard to gain status, influence, and admiration from society. Infectiously energetic, fun-loving, and enthusiastic, they live their lives as if always on stage.

Sexual Three ("Masquerade")

Romantic, seductive, and dramatic, sexual threes strive to maintain attention. They adapt their personalities to fit the expectations of others and aim to win approval in one-on-one interactions. Highly charming and magnetic, they can talk about anything and make people feel heard and understood.

Type Four: The Individualist

*Self-Preservation Four ("Tenacity")

The self-preservation four endures suffering silently, denying their emotional needs to appear strong and resilient. They don’t openly express their emotions which leaves them feeling deeply misunderstood. They can be stoic and self-sacrificing; quietly proud of their hardships.

Social Four ("Shame")

Expressive, creative, and emotionally intense, the social four often compares themselves to others while feeling like an outsider. They look for belonging in artistic or intellectual circles, striving to become understood through their art. Social fours often feel inadequate in comparison to others and oscillate between wanting to share themselves with people and hiding from society entirely.

Sexual Four ("Competition")

Intense and dramatic, the sexual four competes for attention and wants to be seen as unique and special. They often feel that others have what they lack and use their jealousy as an excuse when things don’t go their way. Deeply passionate about their pursuits, they pour all of themselves into their work and won’t settle for anything less than perfection.

Type Five: The Investigator

Self-Preservation 5 ("Castle")

Private and withdrawn, the self-preservation five values independence and self-sufficiency. They are prone to hoarding their resources (money, time, knowledge) to feel secure and not have to become dependent on others. Knowledgeable, they creatively pursue work that will allow for future autonomy.

Social Five ("Totem")

Social Fives value expertise more than anything else. While they are distant and reserved as most fives are, they identify with intellectual communities and value knowledge-sharing. They find security in becoming an expert in their field.

*Sexual Five ("Confidence")

Mysterious, alluring, and passionate, the sexual five desires intimacy but still fears intrusion. They are emotionally intense and selective in relationships and can become controlling when trust isn’t fully formed. They are constantly at war with themselves over their opposing desires for deep connection and independence.

Type Six: The Loyalist

Self-Preservation Six ("Warmth")

Cautious and skeptical, the self-preservation six relies on reassurance from trusted allies. They seek safety through relationships and values friendship and trust more than anything else. They can be self-doubting and overly reliant on others, but their loyalty is unmatched.

Social Six ("Duty")

Social sixes feel a strong sense of responsibility to their community. They fixate on rules and social order, either by conforming to authority or rebelling against it. Resourceful and creative, they use information and others’ experiences to form the opinions they live by.

*Sexual Six ("Strength/Beauty")

Bold and protective, the sexual six projects an aura of fearlessness. They seek security through being strong or charismatic and often see the world as a threat they need to fight against. Sexual sixes are magnetic and independent, reacting to authority with skepticism.

Type Seven: The Enthusiast

Self-Preservation Seven ("Keeper of the Castle")

Pleasure-seeking, pragmatic, and avoidant, the self-preservation seven strives to cover all of their bases so they can relax and have fun. They are willing to work hard to fulfill their end goal of not having to worry about being stuck in a bad situation, seeking to sustain resources and find security through comfort.

*Social Seven ("Sacrifice")

Generous and idealistic, the social seven sacrifices their own needs to prioritize the comfort and happiness of others. They are joyful and helpful but often feel guilt over their indulgences.

Sexual Seven ("Fascination")

Impulsive, passionate, and restless, the sexual seven seeks intense experiences, novelty, and adventure. Drawn to romantic escapism, they project a life of endless fun and adventure onto their partners. Resistant to responsibility, they strive to set their lives up so as not to experience discomfort.

Type Eight: The Challenger

Self-Preservation Eight ("Survival")

Blunt and intimidating, the self-preservation eight is focused on independence, strength, and control over resources. They can react aggressively towards enforces of authority and generally want to be left alone.

*Social Eight ("Solidarity")

Charismatic and group-oriented, the social eight seeks justice and fairness. They see themselves as a protector of the weak and can be highly influential in leadership roles. More oriented towards protecting others rather than themselves, they are more vulnerable than most eight types.

Sexual Eight ("Possession")

Passionate, intense, and dominant, sexual eights can be possessive over loved ones. Once they have formed a deep emotional and physical connection with someone, they will protect it at all costs.

Type Nine: The Peacemaker

Self-Preservation Nine ("Appetite")

Peace-seeking, avoidant, and distracted, the self-preservation nine disengages from their life to avoid discomfort. They seek comfort, stability, and routine and hate being involved in conflict.

Social Nine ("Participation")

Friendly and diplomatic, the social nine values harmony. They avoid standing out and instead long to merge into group identities. Social nines are amicable, helpful, and eager to be a part of something.

*Sexual Nine ("Union")

Dreamy, romantic, and highly adaptable, the sexual nine seeks oneness with a partner, often losing their own identity in relationships. More energetic and present than most nine types, the sexual nine seeks deep connection and is willing to be assertive to get it.

Why Subtypes Matter

Subtypes are essential because they reveal how our dominant instincts and emotional drives shape our personality type. Without an understanding of them, it’s easy to mistype yourself and others because subtypes often make people of the same core type appear vastly different. They add a deeper layer of context to The Enneagram that connects us with our inner wisdom.

To dive deeper, I highly recommend Beatrice Chestnut’s book The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge