Circumplex
One defining feature of a circumplex is that it places characteristics, traits or other such entities around a circle in such a way that the relative closeness between the entities implies some sort of relationship or similarity.
Although the Enneagram as Types is not a traditional circumplex itself, it does lend itself to understanding the types at each point in terms of their relationship to other points based solely on their relative position to each other around the circle.
Some examples of this circumplex nature are:
- The points on either side of the point of interest purport to have a strong influence on the point - the wing theory
- The point opposite has a common characteristic - the aggressive, withdrawn and compliant types
- The 1-5, 4-8, 7-2 appear to be opposites on the same dimension - antipodes
Another feature of a circumplex that applies is the clustering of entities around the circle.
- Seen in the (891), (234), (567) clusters around the circle defining the doing, feeling and thinking clusters of types
