What is the Enneagram?

The Enneagram is a universal symbol—a dynamic blueprint—that reveals the laws and patterns underlying human experience. It is a map of transformation: at once universal and intimately personal.

At its psychological level, the Enneagram shines light on the inner architecture of our temperament, values, and motivational drives. It helps us ask—and begin to answer—one of life’s most vital questions: “Why do I do what I do?” By making unconscious patterns visible, it invites self-inquiry and awareness.

Widely applied in mindfulness, leadership development, and psychotherapy, the Enneagram of Personality is most often presented as a system of nine interconnected personality types. Each type represents a core lens through which people perceive the world and respond to its challenges.

The Universal Enneagram Cover

While the Enneagram maps nine distinct personality types, each person has only one core type—a foundational lens through which we most deeply experience and interpret the world. This core type remains consistent throughout our lives, even though we may express traits of other types under stress, growth, or in specific contexts. The beauty of the Enneagram lies in its dynamic structure: though rooted in one “home base,” we move along lines of connection that reveal how we adapt and respond.

These shifts don’t mean we become other types; rather, they reflect the complexity and flexibility of our type’s range. Understanding our primary type is essential—it anchors our journey of self-awareness and helps us recognize when we are moving toward health or falling into reactivity. Knowing this type allows us to engage more consciously with our habitual patterns and see the world, and others, with greater clarity and compassion.

The typology owes much to the groundbreaking work of Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo, who synthesized ancient wisdom with modern psychological insight. Their teachings formed the basis of a system that doesn’t simply label people but offers a path toward personal liberation. It can, at times, feel confining—illuminating how little choice we seem to have within our habitual patterns. But over time, many come to see it as profoundly liberating: a tool that “saves us from the unhelpful habits of ourselves.”

One of the Enneagram’s greatest gifts is its capacity to foster compassion. As we become fluent in its language, we begin to recognize not only our own patterns, but those of others. We can see how each type arises and subsides within ourselves and those around us. With that recognition comes understanding, and with understanding, empathy.

Ultimately, the Enneagram is less a rigid system and more a deep conversation with life. It becomes a way of seeing—where everyday experiences reflect something universal. Once known, it is hard to unsee. All personal reflection becomes an expression of it. And in this way, the Enneagram serves not only as a mirror of the self but also as a bridge to others—and to the wholeness that lies beyond type.

About the Enneagram

Enneagram Compass logo
What is the Enneagram?

Learn about how the Enneagram can help you better understand yourself and others.

3 Centers icon
Introduction to the 3 Centers

Discover the Head, Heart, and Body Centers and how they shape your core responses to the world.

Nine Types icon
Introduction to Nine Types

An overview of the nine Enneagram types and the unique traits that define each one.

3 Instincts icon
The 3 Instincts

Explore the three key instincts—Self-preservation, Social, and Sexual—and their influence on you.

27 SubTypes icon
Introduction to the 27 SubTypes

Explore the Enneagram’s 27 subtypes and how they refine the nine core types.​

Publications icon
Publications

Access books, articles, and resources from leading Enneagram experts to deepen your understanding.

Privacy Policy

We are fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation. Our servers are located within the EU so no data is sent outside the EU jurisdiction. Every individual has rights as to how their personal data is handled, and we recognize the need to treat all such data in an appropriate and lawful manner, according to the classification of such data. Personal data, including sensitive data, are subject to certain legal safeguards with the provisions under the GDPR and we fully comply with these legal guidelines.
 

All data (personal and otherwise) that we collect as a result of use of our Questionnaire based assessments is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy outlined below and we can reassure you that we will not share that information for any use whatsoever other than to provide the service for which we have been contracted. This statement explains how we use the personal information that you give us. Please do not send us any personal data about anyone else without their permission.

 
Future Research and Direct Marketing Communications
 

We would like to be able to contact you in future with details of research projects we may be conducing; or in relation to further products and services that we think you may be interested in. We will only send you further emails in regards to our future research projects or marketing communications if you directly consent to us doing so- there is a specific question that asks for your consent. We will always contact you by email or other electronic means. We will treat your personal details with the utmost care and will never sell them to other companies for marketing purposes

We use MailChimp to send our email newsletters. By signing up to receive our email communications, you agree to the transfer of data to MailChimp and Active Campaign.

Updating Your Data, Erasure, and Requesting a Copy of Your Records
 

If you would like to:

  • Update your details
  • Withdraw your consent/opt out of marketing communications
  • Request erasure of the data we hold on you
  • Request a copy of the data records we hold on you (we will endeavour to fulfil the request within twenty four hours but no more than 14 days)

Please contact info@enneagramprofiling.com and we will respond within 48 hours.

Cookies

This site uses cookies – small text files that are placed on your machine to help the site provide a better user experience. In general, cookies are used to enable a client to return to the same place within a questionnaire should they be interrupted and have to discontinue the session.

Cookies can also be used to store information for things like shopping carts, and provide anonymised tracking data to third party applications like Google Analytics. As a rule, cookies will make your browsing experience better. We will send you a link to continue the questionnaire so cookies are not essential for you to enjoy our services. It may be that you may prefer to disable cookies on this site and on others. The most effective way to do this is to disable cookies in your browser. We suggest consulting the Help section of your browser or taking a look at the About Cookies website which offers guidance for all modern browsers

Data Security

At Enneagram Compass we demand the highest levels of data security. Our server provider has achieved ISO 27001 certification. We use Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption (also known as HTTPS) for all transmitted data. Surveys can be protected with passwords and HTTP referrer checking. Our services are hosted by trusted data centres that are independently audited using the industry standard SSAE-16 method. The servers are protected by high-end firewall systems, and scans are performed regularly to ensure that any vulnerabilities are quickly found and patched.

In order to comply with GDPR we understand that data collected from the participant’s PC in Europe cannot be transferred to a server in another jurisdiction such as the US. So that we do not breach EU data protection law our server is located in Ireland. The data we collect in Europe is therefore stored and processed in Europe and is not moved to another jurisdictional area.

Disclosure – Sharing Your Data

We will not disclose your personal information to third parties except:

  • as necessary to fulfil your order(s) for our goods and services and to validate your payment details;
  • to suppliers that process data on our behalf;
  • to your coach or enneagram consultant who purchased a test on your behalf where we believe, in good faith, that it is necessary to comply with the law or to protect the safety of Enneagram Profiling, our customers or their clients, or the public.

We may use and disclose aggregated and anonymised information for marketing, product development, strategic or research purposes. In such data, no individual customer will be identifiable.

Credit Card Payments

For those using the site to purchase access to our services Stripe and PayPal are used to collect personal information related to credit card processing including . Full Name, Email Address, Billing Address, Credit Card number.

Stripe’s services in Europe are provided by a Stripe affiliate—Stripe Payments Europe Limited (“Stripe Payments Europe”)—an entity located in Ireland. In providing Stripe Services, Stripe Payments Europe transfers personal data to Stripe, Inc. in the US. To ensure the adequate protection of personal data, we have certified to the EU-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield.

PayPal are still to provide their understanding of whether they are fully GDPR compliant. Their privacy policy can be read here https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-prev . PayPal argue that they are compliant with various financial regulation laws but we suggest not using PayPal if this is something you are concerned about.

Sending Result Reports to a Third Party

Where an individual takes one of our instruments under the direction of one of our professional customers, (such as a consultant, a coach, a line manager, an Enneagram teacher etc.) and Enneagram Compass performs a service hosting, administering and scoring that instrument for the customer, then we will send the individual’s results to that customer in order that they may provide appropriate feedback, or similar service, to the individual who took the instrument. By taking the questionnaire you are giving permission for that Third Party to receive a copy of your report. In completing the questionnaire you are agreeing for the report to be sent to such a third party. We at Enneagram Profiling assume that the data will be used for the sole purpose of aiding your understanding of the Report, and in order for you to derive maximum benefit from the process. However, we do not accept any responsibility whatsoever for the actions of our third-party customers who have ordered the questionnaire and results report on your behalf. Enneagram Profiling is therefore not responsible for the use, storage or distribution of such data, or the consequences thereof that may arise as a result of the use of the report.

Retention Period – Anonymisation

Links to Other Sites