Are Enneagram Type 5s Rare? (+5 traits)

This article will take a look at the type 5 enneagram and discuss how rare it is. Furthermore, the article will highlight the traits, fears and desires of this personality type as well. The article will also comment on the wings of this enneagram too and what traits they have.

Are Enneagram Type 5s Rare?

The enneagram type 5 is indeed rare and is described as someone who is not only curious but also inventive. They are quite unique but secretive at the same time. It is possible this is one of the reasons why they are so rare; they do not come forth with their personality type or do not show their true side. However, it is possible that their numbers are indeed less and this could be because of the unique traits they possess. This type is often described as someone who is far ahead of time.

Here are some of their traits:

• Alert
• Insightful
• Curious
• Secretive
• Independent
• Inventive
• Introverted

Let us take a closer look at the type 5 enneagram and it’s wings!

Who Is A Type 5 Enneagram?

These individuals are very much interested in learning things that are relevant to their area of interest. They will investigate its elements and try to gather as much information as they can! The enneagram type 5 is alert, innovative but secretive at the same time.

People with this enneagram type have the ability to build complex ideas and skills; this is possible only because of their focus on the specific area they are working within and their dedication to master it.

The type 5 enneagram has an innate need to learn continuously. They want more and more information and want to increase their reservoir of knowledge. It bothers them if they have an interest in a certain thing or phenomena however, they are not able to learn more about it. Their curiosity is indeed a problem for them. At the same time, this desire to learn more about their interests distracts them from other things in their life, especially the practical ones. 

Another defining trait of this enneagram type is that they want to be different from others in what they learn or study. They want to discover a new area or an area that is least researched by others. They do not want to focus on things that are common or conventional; they want to study the bizarre, unknown, beyond limits, unexplainable topics on the list!

Fears & Desires 

We will explore the basic desire and fear of this enneagram type!

The Basic Fear – Type 5 Enneagram

The basic fear of these enneagrams is that they will become useless in the sense that they have no skill or knowledge. They are scared they will not be competent in any field of life which they can master. The fear is not associated with showing off but to give their own self a sense of assurance that they have a skill they know very well and it makes the stand out from others.

The Basic Desire – Type 5 Enneagram

Their basic desire stems from their fear of not being competent. The desire is to learn so that they are competent and skilled in a certain area that is of much interest to them and not so common or known amongst others. They desire to be different in the knowledge they possess and skills they can employ. It gives them a sense of competence, capability and assurance.

The Wings – Type 5s

In this section, we will take a look at the wings of the type 5 enneagram!

The 5w6 Enneagram – The Troubleshooter

The troubleshooter is an enneagram type that is mostly made up of the type 5 enneagram but shares some traits with the type 6 one too. This enneagram is quite logical in their approach to how they understand themselves, others and the world. Hence they do not like to go on what they are told – in a sentimental manner – but how it is told and whether or not it appeals to one’s logic. They like to discuss things in  a systematic and structured manner so they can actually analyze whether everything makes sense or not!

As a result of being logical in their dealings, these enneagram types are quite practical and independent. They know how things work and prefer to keep things simple thus they take up practical steps. They are more of the doers rather than the ones who just keep talking about something and never appear to go forward with actually doing something! It is easier to deal with such individuals because they do what they say and they are action oriented – they actually work by showing and not just telling.

Although independent, these enneagram types are way more cooperative than the typical 5’s are! They like to take others’ opinions into view but this does not mean they won’t do as they wish. They respect how other people think or function but they only feel satisfied and comfortable going ahead with what they believe is right for their own self.

These enneagrams have a strong passion for learning and growing in terms of their skills and strengths. They will read, enroll in courses and attend training programs to boost their skills and knowledge. This helps them make better decisions because they have the right resources which include experience, knowledge and first hand exposure to the real world. They do not like to discuss or engage in things they do not know much about.

The 5w4 Enneagram – The Philosopher

Possessing more traits associated with the type 5 rather than type 4 enneagram, the ‘Philosopher’ although reserved in their behaviour is quite the thinker and reflector! They like to take their time when it comes to pondering over things that amaze or fascinate them. Furthermore, they like to do this in a peaceful and quiet environment rather than brainstorm over it with others. They are indeed introverted because they need alone time not only to think but to also reflect and recharge their social battery.

Compared to type 5 enneagrams, they are more emotional and expressive. Hence, they do possess a more human element and do not just focus on the hard areas of life or use simple facts and figures to explain phenomena. This is because they realize the importance of human intervention and influence. Also, these individuals are quite expressive and like to do things in a manner that not only represents their opinions or beliefs but also feels comfortable to them.

Because of their nature and how they think or feel about others, these enneagram types may seem a bit distant – they remain guarded and withdrawn from others. This is not only because they need time alone but they prefer to keep a distance from other people. At the same time, they are very much open to gaining new skills and knowledge to increase their knowledge base as well as the resources – in the form of skills – that will help them strengthen their own standing and make them more capable of even greater tasks.

Despite their introverted side, they love to explore new avenues! They will explore to find more opportunities, learn the truth regarding people or things that interest them and also just for the sake of it. They love exploring and they don’t mind doing this alone because it allows them to have the chance to think and reflect while on such ‘missions’.

Type 5s – How Rare Are They?

In a study where there were more than 54,000 respondents, Type Fives were found to make up approximately 10% of the population. It has also been observed that the type 5 enneagram is possessed more by men, almost double, as compared to women. Hence, it can be said that this enneagram is indeed one of the rare ones if not the rarest.

This could be because of the blend of their traits. They are indeed unique personalities who are quite hard to come across!

Conclusion

This article took a look at the type 5 enneagram and discussed how rare it is. The article also described this enneagram and its wings in detail and also highlighted reasons as well as evidence for its rarity. The article also included the type 5 enneagram’s fears, desires and major traits. The traits of the type 5w6 and type 5w4 enneagrams were also discussed in depth.

References