What is the Difference Between 1w9 and 9w1? (+7 Proven Factors)

In this blog post, we will talk about the Enneagram types 1w9 vs 9w1. If you are not sure you are either an Idealist of a Dreamer, keep reading.

1w9 vs 9w1

The key difference between 1w9 vs 9w1 is that while the 1w9 is someone who wants to do the right thing always, and finds their peace from the moral things, the 9w1 is someone who likes to go after peace but in a slightly more calculated and moral way than the type 9. The 1w9 is more moralistic and idealistic, while the 9w1 is peace-loving and calmer.

1w9 – The Idealist 

Famous examples: Plato, Gandhi, Sandra Day O’Connor, George Harrison, Henry David Thoreau, Martha Stewart, Katharine Hepburn, Al Gore, George F. Will, Noam Chomski.

Healthy subtype: People belonging to this subtype have a special discernment, being full of wisdom and civilized.

It is possible to be taught very scholarly, with an imperturbable philosophical attitude, focused on long-term goals, looking to see the “overall” image. 

They can be introverted and hidden, seeking to be away from the “unleashed world,” often in a quiet natural setting.

They are reserved with their emotions, being at the same time generous, kind and full of consideration, lovers of nature and animals and appreciating innocence wherever they meet it. 

They want to create a better world, but in a more detached and delicate way than the other representatives of the One typology.

Medium subtype: They are idealists and less likely to get involved in politics and the “unorthodox actions” needed to carry out the reforms they believe in.

The middle-level representatives of this subtype prefer to express their ideas rather than to personally convince others of their correctness. 

The anger characteristic of typology One is more difficult to detect in the case of this subtype than in the case of the other, having the tendency to express oneself through rigidity, impatience and sarcasm.

Representatives of this subtype prefer to be alone. 

They look for situations where they can work on their own to avoid the disappointment and clutter caused by interpersonal relationships. 

They may be more distant, as if in another world, and more impersonal than the other subtype, potentially contemptuous, elitist, and condescending to their fellows.

Type 1 – The perfectionist 

• Basic fear: To be “bad”, full of defects, evil, corrupt

• Basic desire: to be good, full of virtue, balanced – whole

• Message from the superego: “You’re fine or okay if you’re doing the right thing.“

One typology feels that they were meant to have a certain mission, and they want to make a better world using the degree of influence that they have.

They do their best to break down obstacles of all kinds – especially moral obstacles – so that the human spirit can shine and transform the world.

They struggle to attain ever higher moral values, even at the cost of personal sacrifice.

The history of humanity is full of representatives of the One typology who gave up a comfortable life because they felt they had a great calling.

In World War II, the middle-class Raoul Wallenberg left his comfortable life to devote himself to protecting thousands of Jews expelled from the members of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party invasion. 

In India, Gandhi gave up his wife, family and prosperous life as a lawyer to become an ardent preacher of Indian state independence and social change through non-violence.

Joan of Arc left her native village in France to re-crown the heir to the throne and drive the English out of the country. 

The idealism of these representatives of the One typology has inspired millions of people.

One strives not to be affected by their instinctual impulses, consciously resisting them and also trying not to express them too freely.

The result is a personality typology that has problems with feelings of repression, resilience and aggression.

They are usually seen by others as very controlled, even rigid, although this is not how people in type One perceive themselves.

People of type One believe that being severe with themselves (thus becoming “perfect”), they will justify themselves in their eyes and in the eyes of others.

But in their attempt to create a mark of perfection, they become the creators of their own hell. 

Instead of agreeing with the statement in the book of Genesis that God looked at His own creation and that it “was pleasing before His eyes,” people in type One are of the opinion that there are some mistakes there! ”

This type of orientation makes it difficult for them to trust their own inner voice, and as a result, to have confidence in life. 

People of type One come to rely heavily on their superego, a voice they learned to hear as children, to guide them to the higher truth they so earnestly seek. 

9w1 – The dreamer

Examples of personalities: Abraham Lincoln, Queen Elizabeth II, Cari Jung, George Lucas, Audrey Hepburn, Lady Margot Fonteyn, Rose Kennedy, Walt Disney, Garrison Keillor, Noonan Rockwell.

Healthy subtype: People in this subtype are imaginative and creative, often able to synthesize multiple schools of thought or multiple points of view into a single vision of an ideal world.

They are very good at nonverbal forms of communication (art, musical instruments, dance, sports, working with animals or nature) and can thrive in large companies and institutions. 

They are typically friendly and reconciling, but with a very keen sense of purpose, especially when it comes to their own ideas. Good as therapists.

counsellors or priests, balance their traits of good listeners, free from prejudice, with the desire to help others.

Medium subtype: They want to order outside, so they can have order inside. They tend to get involved in non-essential, unimportant activities and businesses.

They can be energetic, but in a detached and uninvolved way, which interferes with their ability to pursue long-term goals or to co-opt others in achieving them.

They are more reserved and less adventurous than those in the Nine-Wing Eight subtype and express their anger with great restraint and indignation. 

They are also concerned about their respectability and image in society and, in many cases, feel morally superior to other classes, cultures or lifestyles.

It happens to have a puritanical side, as well as a perfectionist, orderly and typical side.

Type 9 – The peacemaker

Enneagram type 9 people are welcoming, stable, trustworthy. They are kind-hearted, calm and supportive, but they are too willing to please others just to avoid scandal.

They do not want life to unfold in conflict, tending to indulge in any situation and minimize any disturbance that occurs. 

They have problems because they are too passive and stubborn.

At the healthiest level, those in type 9 are fearless, able to comprehend everything; they are able to reconcile people and heal conflicts.

The 9 types are called “the Peacemaker” because, more than any other type of personality, he is devoted to finding inner and outer peace for both himself and those around him.

They are often spiritual seekers, with a burning desire to be connected to the universe as well as to other people. 

They strive to maintain their inner peace, as well as the peace and harmony of the environment around them.

The problems encountered in the 9 types are fundamental to the whole work of inner transformation: awakening vs. admonition to true nature, presence vs. trance, tension vs. relaxation, peace vs. pain, union vs. separation.

As an irony of fate, this type of personality so oriented towards spiritual work is the centre of the Instinctive Triad and probably the most ingrained type in the physical world and in one’s own physical body. 

The contradiction is elucidated if we realize that this guy is either in very close connection with his instinctive virtues and has great elemental power and personal magnetism, or they are separated from instinctual power and can be withdrawn, disconnected from the real world.

Conclusions

In this blog post, we talked about the Enneagram 1w9 vs 9w1 types. 

Idealists can be introverted and hidden, seeking to be away from the “unleashed world,” often in a quiet natural setting.

They are reserved with their emotions, being at the same time generous, kind and full of consideration, lovers of nature and animals and appreciating innocence wherever they meet it. 

Dreamers are typically friendly and reconciling, but with a very keen sense of purpose, especially when it comes to their own ideas. Good as therapists.

counsellors or priests, balance their traits of good listeners, free from prejudice, with the desire to help others.

Please feel free to share your thoughts, questions or comments in the comments section below!

FAQ on 1w9 vs 9w1 Enneagram

References

The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types, by Don Richard Riso 

Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery, by Don Richard Riso, Russ Hudson

Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types, by Don Richard Riso, Russ Hudson

Enneagrampaths.com