Fours and Fives are similar and different at the same time. Their similarity is their habit of withdrawing from others, although they do it for different reasons.
Fives withdraw to protect their peace of mind and autonomy, and Fours withdraw to avoid rejection.
Their emotional needs are very different. While Fours’ happiness depends on other people’s acceptance, Fives are a very independent type.
People with personality type 4w5 combine traits of both types; however, their core personality type is type 4. Type 4 characteristics are dominant, and some of type 5 tendencies add them a distinctive ‘flavor’, something that only 4w5s have.
4w5s are deep and intense people. They are less active and practical than their 4w3 counterparts, but on the other hand, they are more analytical and more academically inclined.
4w5s possess both the creativity and intuition of Fours and the savviness of Fives. Thanks to this unique combination, 4w5s can produce original work that evokes emotions and stimulates the mind.
Fours are extremely sensitive to criticism, but those with a Five-Wing are more independent in this regard. They see the value of their work regardless of other people’s opinions.
Generally, if they produce something, they do it for themselves first and foremost. Other people’s acknowledgment and appreciation are secondary to them.
Similarly, they are less concerned with impressing others than their 4w3 counterparts. Although the core type 4 is very image-conscious, Fours with a Five-Wing choose a more modest lifestyle. Their frugality can vary depending on the strength of their Five-Wing.
Some 4w5s are very unconventional and tend to be drawn to subcultures. Some Enneagram experts called this type The Bohemian for this reason.
Not only are 4w5s distant and withdrawn, but they also tend to live in their heads, spending much of their time thinking, analyzing, and fantasizing.
Consumed by their thoughts, they pay little attention to the world around them. Although 4w5s may not be aware of their mind journeys, they serve an important purpose:
- They keep things interesting.
- They help 4w5s deal with the unpleasantness of life, such as distressing people and events.
Depending on the strength of their Five-Wing, 4w5s may reject other people’s help to avoid being indebted to someone. In their view, external assistance comes with a price tag — the possibility of demands for reciprocity later on. It endangers their autonomy, security, and freedom.
Another reason why 4w5s may reject others’ help is that they don’t want to feel vulnerable.
Fours are already very vulnerable because they fear rejection more than other types, and Fives fear that the outside world will somehow overwhelm and consume them.
In 4w5s, this desire to avoid the feeling of vulnerability is reinforced by both the core type and the wing. After all, who can guarantee that they can trust the benefactor and that the unearned benefit won’t be used as an instrument of manipulation in the future?
Lastly, people with this personality type may reject help because they don’t want to feel inferior or inadequate.
To sum up, 4w5s are:
- original
- analytical
- perceptive
- creative
- secretive
- independent
- deep
- intense
- living in their heads
- unconventional
- distant
- expressive
- frugal
If you are unsure about your Enneagram type, try taking all in-depth tests available on this page and compare your results. You may be particularly interested in Type 4 test.