Enneagram type 8 wings. Are you an Enneagram Type 8, and do you want more insight into your wings? In this blog, you will discover how the Enneagram Type 8 wings – 8w7 and 8w9 – influence your behavior, relationships, and growth direction. You will receive practical tips and an introduction to healing meditations that are tailored to your unique combination of strength and sensitivity.
Enneagram Type 8 Wings:
More Than Just Power
Are you someone who is naturally strong and independent? Who quickly stands up for others and does not allow himself to be belittled easily? There is a good chance that you recognize yourself in Enneagram Type 8 – also known as the Leader, the Protector, or the Boss. You have a powerful character, know what you want, and rarely let yourself be distracted from your path.
But even the strongest types have nuances. And you discover it through your wings. They bring balance, depth, and flexibility to your personality.
Your wings are the types next to your main type in the Enneagram
For Type 8, these are Type 7 and Type 9. Together they form your Enneagram Type 8 wings. These wings are more important than many people think. They color how you think, feel, and act – both in your relationships and at work. The great thing is that they give you the opportunity to grow and vary in how you use your strengths.
Some people have a clear preference for one wing, while others recognize themselves in both. That’s what makes Enneagram type 8 wings so valuable: they show you that you are more than one fixed form. Your personality is dynamic, and your development is a journey, with your wings as signposts.
In this blog, we dive deeper into the world of the Enneagram Type 8 wings: 8w7 and 8w9. You will discover what they mean, how they influence you, and how you can consciously use them for personal growth.
What exactly are wings?
In the Enneagram model, each personality type is placed between two other types. These two adjacent types are called your wings. They are, as it were, the energetic neighbors of your main type. For Enneagram Type 8, these are Type 7 and Type 9.
Your head type – in this case, Type 8 – usually remains stable throughout your life. But your wings give your personality more nuance, flexibility, and depth. They subtly influence how you express your strength, how you respond to challenges, and how you form relationships. You may have a clear preference for one of the two wings, but it is also possible that you move back and forth between the two in different phases of life or situations.
For example
Many people notice that they rely more on the characteristics of an 8w7 at work: energetic, direct, and focused on action and results. But in their private lives or in intimate relationships, the calm, connecting energy of 8w9 comes to the fore more often: calm, loyal, and focused on harmony.
That’s the power of the Enneagram Type 8 wings: they ensure that you are not stuck in one way or another. They give you freedom of movement in how you deal with situations, without losing your core. You remain firmly anchored in the essence of Type 8 – strength, justice, protection – but you learn to use that power in different ways.
So your wings are not a coincidence or an afterthought. They are an invitation to consciousness: to feel when you can address which side in yourself. And how to balance both wings for more inner peace, effectiveness, and connection.
Did you know?
- Your wings usually develop in childhood, but can develop further later in life.
- Many people think you only have one wing, but you can actually learn from both wings, depending on your stage of life or environment.
- The Enneagram Type 8 wings help you to express your power in different ways: with fire and vision (8w7) or with calmness and reliability (8w9).
- By consciously working with your wings, you can find more balance between action and surrender, setting boundaries and connecting.
8w7 – The Energetic Leader with Vision
If you are an Enneagram Type 8 with a wing 7, then there is fire in you. You are a powerful and lively personality who switches quickly, goes straight for the goal, and effortlessly knows how to take others along in your energy. You combine the willpower and urge for justice of Type 8 with the love of freedom, spontaneity, and zest for life of Type 7.
This combination makes you a real doer: someone who brings big ideas to life and rarely lets obstacles or doubts hold them back. You feel at your best when you can take new initiatives, take the lead, and inspire people with your drive and vision. Standing still feels like going backwards, and you love adventure, movement, and possibilities.
Balancing Drive and Depth – The Power of 8w7
If we look at the Enneagram Type 8 wings, 8w7 represents the more fiery, outgoing, and forward-looking side of this powerful type. You are someone who dares to dream as well as do, and you know that your strength only really comes into its own when you include people in your vision.
At the same time, your pace can also have a downside. Because you’re so focused on progress and action, it can be hard to stop and think about what’s already there – or what you’re feeling. Sometimes you prefer to put feelings aside, because they can slow you down or make you vulnerable. But that is precisely where the key to deepening and real impact lies.
8w9 – The Calm in the Storm
If you are an Enneagram Type 8 with a wing 9, then you radiate a quiet, powerful calm. You are like a sturdy tree: deeply rooted, calmly present, and almost imperturbable. You don’t use your power to dominate, but to protect, support, and stabilize.
The combination of Type 8 and Type 9 makes you a natural protector. You are caring, loyal, and have a great sense of responsibility. You are there for the people around you and like to create a sense of security. You seek harmony, but on your terms – you want peace, but not weakness.
Of all the Enneagram Type 8 wings, 8w9 embodies the more introverted, peace-loving side of this powerful type. Unlike the fiery 8w7, you are more likely to opt for diplomacy and inner calm. You are not a screamer, but your presence is palpable and solid. People trust you – and rightly so.
But this power also has a downside. You may be inclined to put your own feelings or needs aside to avoid conflict. You would rather keep the peace than run the risk of tension. But under that quiet surface, frustration or exhaustion can accumulate unnoticed.
New: Healing Meditations by Enneatype
From now on, you can come to Mekey for something special: deep trance meditations that are tailored to each Enneagram type. Also, for your wing combination.
These meditations will help you:
- transform your blind spots
- heal your inner child
- not only to understand your power, but to embody it
🎧 Especially for Type 8, we have developed meditations that help you to let go of your control, find a balance between strength and vulnerability, and consciously use your wings.
Whether you are more in need of action (8w7) or inner peace (8w9), these meditations will bring you closer to your essence.
Download our free e-Books
Do you first want to discover where you stand in your Enneagram journey? Then download our free
e-Book about Type 8 and the eBook. This gives you a complete picture of your unique mix of strength, growth, and challenge.
Finally, you are more than one type
Whether you’re a fiery 8w7 or a quiet 8w9 – both sides are valuable. Your wings give you room to grow without losing your true strength. They not only help you to understand others better, but above all, they help you to look at yourself more kindly.
Do you want to discover how your wings express themselves in your life?
Then take our test or book a personal reading. Or… Lie down and let the meditation do the work for you.
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🎁 As a welcome gift, you will receive a short, recorded introduction from us: “Transformation begins in feeling – an introduction to the enneagram.”
In this 4-minute audio, John takes you into the essence of the enneagram. He explains how your personality came about as a survival strategy and why real change is only possible if you are willing to feel.
