The Enneagram

click on the numbers to learn more about each type

The Enneagram identifies 9 basic types of people. It is best to think of these types as lying on a spectrum that fade from one to the other as opposed to rigid categories with harsh lines inbetween. Below is a chart showing how each of the nine individual types are grouped into sets of three. These “triads” indicate the three basic “centers” from which people can flow: the gut, the head, the heart. Every human being has these three centers, but each individual leans toward one center as the dominant, most familiar place from which to operate in life. Click on any element in these pictures to further investigate.click here to discover how the Ennegram is useful for becoming transformed into the image of Christ.

The Triads

Gut-centered people act first; think and feel later. People who flow from this center are very connected to a concrete view of reality and have a very “nuts and bolts” approach to life. Their driving sin is that of angerin that they tend to react to their physical circumstances.

Head-centered people think first; act and feel later. People who flow from this center tend to view life from an outsider perspective looking in. Their driving sin is that of fear in that they feel separated from other people and their environments, causing them to be afraid .

Heart-centered people feel first; act and think later. People who flow from this center are very conscious of the community around them and how they are being received by that community. Their driving sin is that of pridein that they are constantly engaged in “image management” in the attempt to be well received by the community.

The Types

One

Root Sin: Anger
Basic Need: to be right
I am good if… I am honest, hardworking, and orderly
Pitfalls: Over-criticalness
Invitation: Growth
Fruit of the Spirit: Cheerful Tranquility (Patience)
Temptation: Perfection
Avoidance:Vexation
Defense Mechanism: Reaction, Formation
Unredeemed Attitudes: Obstinate, Pharisaical, Destructive
Normal Attitudes: Perfectionist, Wavering, Scrupulous
Redeemed Attitudes: Critically aware, Composed, Ethically outstanding

Two

Root Sin: Pride
Basic Need: to be needed
I am good if…I am loving, selfless, and helpful
Pitfalls: Obligingness (Flattery)
Invitation: Freedom (Grace)
Fruit of the Spirit: Humility
Temptation: Helping Others
Avoidance:Suppressing Needs
Defense Mechanism: Repression
Unredeemed Attitudes: Manipulative, Dominating, Symbiotic
Normal Attitudes: Motherly, Giving, Active
Redeemed Attitudes: Caring, Friendly, Original

Three

Root Sin: Deceit
Basic Need: to be successful
I am good if…I am successful, competent, and effective
Pitfalls:Vanity (Superficiality)
Invitation: Hope (God’s Will)
Fruit of the Spirit: Truthfulness (Honesty)
Temptation: Efficiency
Avoidance: Failure
Defense Mechanism: Identification
Unredeemed Attitudes: Opportunistic, Deceptive, Career-addicted
Normal Attitudes: Pragmatic, Status-conscious, Role-oriented
Redeemed Attitudes: Competent, Truthful, Reliable

Four

Root Sin: Envy
Basic Need: to be unique
I am good if…I am original, sensitive, and cultured
Pitfalls: Depression (Melancholy)
Invitation: Originality (Union with God)
Fruit of the Spirit: Harmony
Temptation: Authenticity
Avoidance: Ordinariness
Defense Mechanism: Artificial sublimation
Unredeemed Attitudes: Lamenting, Decadent, Infatuated with Death
Normal Attitudes: Aesthetic, Romantic, of good taste
Redeemed Attitudes: Creative, Natural, Disciplined

Five

Root Sin: Greed
Basic Need: to perceive
I am good if…I am wise, smart, and receptive
Pitfalls: Avarice
Invitation: Wisdom (God’s Dispensation)
Fruit of the Spirit: Objectivity
Temptation: Knowledge
Avoidance: Emptiness
Defense Mechanism: Withdrawal (Segmentation)
Unredeemed Attitudes: Isolated, Nihilistic, Eccentric
Normal Attitudes: Analytical, Distanced, Abstract
Redeemed Attitudes: Inventive, Wise, Energetic

Six

Root Sin: Fear (Anxiety)
Basic Need: to be safe, secure
I am good if…I am faithful, obedient, and loyal
Pitfalls: Cowardice/Recklessness
Invitation: Faith (Trust)
Fruit of the Spirit: Courage
Temptation: Striving for Security
Avoidance: Doubt
Defense Mechanism: Projection
Unredeemed Attitudes: dependent, aggressive, cowardly
Normal Attitudes: Duty-conscious, careful, (Anti-) authoritarian
Redeemed Attitudes: Loyal, courageous, confident

Seven

Root Sin: Intemperance (Gluttony)
Basic Need: to avoid pain
I am good if…I am optimistic, happy, and nice
Pitfalls: Scheming
Invitation: Cooperation with God
Fruit of the Spirit: Sober joy
Temptation: Idealism
Avoidance: Pain
Defense Mechanism: Rationalization
Unredeemed Attitudes: Excessive, Dilettantish, Obstinate
Normal Attitudes: Hyperactive, Hedonistic, Superficial
Redeemed Attitudes: Happy, versatile, Calm

Eight

Root Sin: Shamelessness (Lust)
Basic Need: to be against
I am good if…I am just, strong, and dominant
Pitfalls: Revenge
Invitation: Mercy
Fruit of the Spirit: Innocence
Temptation: Justice
Avoidance: Helplessness, weakness, subordination
Defense Mechanism: Denial
Unredeemed Attitudes: Tyrannical, fanatical for power, violent
Normal Attitudes: controlling, competing, direct
Redeemed Attitudes: generous, capable of leadership, protecting

Nine

Root Sin: Laziness
Basic Need: to avoid
I am good if…I am calm, in harmony, and balanced
Pitfalls: laziness (comfort)
Invitation: Unconditional love
Fruit of the Spirit: Action
Temptation: Self-deprecation
Avoidance: conflict
Defense Mechanism: Narcosis (Addiction)
Unredeemed Attitudes: Fatalistic, disoriented, stubborn
Normal Attitudes: adapted, “requiring little care,” indecisive
Redeemed Attitudes: accepting, peaceable, goal-oriented

Online Resources for using the Enneagram

FAST Enneagram Test

The Enneagram Institute

The Enneagram

The Triads

The Types

Online Resources for using the Enneagram

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