The wings (or subtypes) help to individualize the nine generalized types of the Enneagram.  

Each type can have wings of one or both types that are alongside of them.  

For example, a nine can either have an eight wing or a one wing (or very occasionally, both).  

This is written as 9w1 or 9w8.  A nine with a one wing will behave much differently than a nine with an eight wing.  

Any one core Type will have a range that falls on either side of itself--and individuals will naturally feel more comfortable on one side or the other.

For example, the range of "Nine-ness" encompasses a Nine with a strong Eight-wing, a mild Eight-wing, a mild-One wing, or a strong One-wing.

The full Enneagram comprises 18 different subtypes. Starting from the top of the symbol:

9w1: the dreamer

1w9: the idealist

1w2: the advocate

2w1: the servant

2w3: the host/hostess

3w2: the charmer

3w4: the professional

4w3: the aristocrat

4w5: the bohemian

5w4: the iconoclast

5w6: the problem-solver

6w5: the defender

6w7: the buddy

7w6: the entertainer

7w8: the realist

8w7: the independent

8w9: the bear

9w8: the referee

Of course these are just general terms - but words convey power and meaning. I’ve always felt like an iconoclast, myself…