Wings for Enneagram Type 4
Enneagram Type 4
Summary
As a Type 4 (The Introspective Individualist or Romantic), you are driven to be unique and authentic and to express yourself with creativity and depth. You seek to find rich meaning in all areas of life. However, you can struggle with feelings of being defective or flawed, causing you to feel self-absorbed, temperamental, and self-deprecating.
You are connected to the two numbers on the right and left of the Enneagram diagram. We call these numbers wings. As a Type 4, your wings are Type 3 (The Admirable Achiever) and Type 5 (Analytical Investigator or Thinker).
Just as wings are connected to the body of a bird, your Enneagram wings are always the numbers directly beside your main type.
These wings bring balance and nuance to your main type, offering you unique traits from both connections. However, the way we use our wings mirrors our level of health. When we are healthy and mindful, our wings can be strong and supportive, helping us navigate life with greater agility and balance. But if we are unhealthy or unaware, our wings—like a bird’s damaged wings—may hinder rather than help us.
Understanding your Enneagram wings provides a deeper and more nuanced understanding of yourself, especially when it comes to internal conflicts. It explains why you may exhibit traits seemingly contradictory to your main type. This awareness allows for greater self-compassion and the ability to leverage the strengths of both your main type and wings.
Both wings are always present, and you use them in varying degrees depending on your current circumstances and needs, much like a bird adjusts its use of each wing based on navigational requirements. By cultivating mindfulness and understanding how to use them effectively, you can allow your wings to benefit you when you need them most, enabling you to respond intentionally and with greater flexibility. This awareness lets you soar rather than struggle.
Enneagram Type 4 Wing 3:
The Aristocrat (4w3)
The 4w3, also known as The Aristocrat, merges the Type 4's desire to be unique and authentic with the Type 3's desire to be admired and successful. This combination creates a driven individual who is often creative, expressive, and wants to be recognized for their unique talents. The 4w3 may feel an inner tension between their desire to be authentic and their desire to be accepted.
✅ Healthy 4w3
⚠️ Average 4w3
❌ Unhealthy 4w3
💡Expert Insight: Mistyped as Type 3 - A 4w3 can be mistyped as a Type 3 because of their focus on achievement, image, and their desire for recognition.
Enneagram Type 4 Wing 5
The Bohemian (4w5)
The 4w5, also known as The Bohemian, combines the Type 4's desire to be unique and authentic with the Type 5's desire to be knowledgeable and competent. This combination creates an individual who is withdrawn, wise, and an innovative observer who lives with curiosity and a craving to learn more. The 4w5 may fear that they lack inner resources and that too much interaction with others will lead to catastrophic depletion of their energy and emotional reserves.
✅ Healthy 4w5
⚠️ Average 4w5
❌ Unhealthy 4w5
💡Expert Insight: Mistyped as Type 5 - If a 4w5 leans heavily on their intellectual side, their creative or emotional tendencies may appear secondary to their intellectual pursuits, leading to confusion.
Remember, both wings are always present:
Both wings are always part of you, influencing your actions to varying degrees depending on the situation.
The key is to recognize which wing is at play and intentionally choose your response.
By aligning your wings with truth and embracing all aspects of yourself, you allow them to support your journey toward growth and transformation.
Next Steps in Learning for Enneagram Type 4:
Enneagram Internal Profile (EIP)
As you explore how your wings influence your Type 4 personality, you might be curious to understand even more about the different parts that make up who you are. At Your Enneagram Coach, we've developed a unique approach called the Enneagram Internal Profile (EIP), which goes beyond just your main type and wings.
EIP reveals the distinct "parts" within you, like the Wounded Child and Beloved Child, as well as how your wings and paths (Enneagram arrows) interact to create your unique inner world. This can be a powerful tool for self-understanding and growth. If you're intrigued to discover more about how EIP can help you, we invite you to:
