Beauty and the Beast and the Enneagram

Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale story. A bookish girl who wants more out of life has to make a big moral decision, including sacrifice, vulnerability, and real transformation. The drama and the stakes are high. Which brings me to Beauty and the Beast, and the enneagram!

The drama and transformation in this story lends us ample material to work with when considering the enneagram. I love seeing a character grow throughout a story. It can be a great reflection tool as well for our own growth patterns and archs.

The Beast

Enneagram Type 8

“you must control your temper”

We meet him first as an unhealthy 8 who speaks before thinking, acts before considering consequences, and makes rash judgments. His anger is right on the surface for all to see.

Then when Belle meets him, he is deeply depressed, and in his state of stress as a guarded type 5. He is withdrawn, guarded and fearful of showing any weakness. Let’s take a moment to understand this major move for the Beast.

Type 8 can take on quite a lot of stress. These are powerful, confident characters. They hold their own, and protect themselves from getting hurt. It is the years of “living cursed,” that drives the beast deep into his stress mode. He isolates himself, becomes private and discouraged. The possibility of a future is nearly hopeless, which is devastating for a future oriented type 8.

The night Belle arrives, things begin to change. He is forced to come out of his seclusion and back up into his core- type 8 self. When she runs away, he goes after her. He protects her and ends up saving her life. This is type eight at it’s best.

Type Eight’s Connection to Type 2

Throughout the story we see the beast developing both the high side of 8 and connection to his strength number- type two. Belle has gained his trust, so he is willing to now be vulnerable with her and show her his softer side. What he fears most as an 8, is betrayal. She helps him overcome this fear by proving to be faithful and trustworthy, honest and compassionate.

What a great example of the growth arch of a character. We really get to see it all with the beast because it is truly a story about transformation.

By the end, he is functioning on the high side of eight and two. The clear leader, yet sensitive to the needs of others. When he literally transforms into the Prince version on himself, there is evident warmth (from type the two side) and a sense of leadership over his castle. It is clear that his employees want what is best for him and respect him.

Belle

Enneagram Type 5

We see right away that Belle does not fit the mold for a typical woman in society. She is intellectual, independent, and doesn’t want to marry, “just to marry.” This alone makes her complicated. She is curious, and capable, breaking expectations once again. In these ways, she represents enneagram type five very classically.

Fives love nothing more than to figure things out for themselves. They are deeply independent, and don’t really need anyone. Resourcefulness is one of their super-powers. We see all of this in Belle.

On the enneagram, type 5 is connected to type seven. This connection may be where Belle gets her longing for adventure and desires beyond the simple life in her quiet village.

We see her love of books and seeking time alone from the beginning. She is always seeking more knowledge, and a way to escape through the stories she reads. A five’s key motivation is gaining knowledge and being capable, which she shows very clearly.

Type Five’s Connection to Eight

When Belle’s Father’s horse, Phillipe, shows up rider-less, she springs into action. She knows she is capable and that she alone must find her father. Her confidence is that of a fives: grounded and logical. She is dependable and does what “should” be done.

Consequently, her exchange in her father’s place as prisoner is not as “martyr-like” as it may seem. It is the logical thing that should be done. Her access to type eight as her strength number allows her to stand up to the Beast, and also protect the one person in her life that she loves.

We see the eight in her rise up on numerous occasions, meeting the challenge of the Beast. This really works beautifully for the dynamics of the eight and five couple. They respect each other, stand up for each other, and build enough trust to allow vulnerability where true growth happens.

I hope you have enjoyed the typing of these fictional characters. Looking closely at fictional characters can help us understand ourselves and others better.

Want to know more about all the enneagram types? Grab the 9 types packet now that explains an overview of each type in detail.

You will love this packet! It is the most popular printable we have because…

• it includes ALL 9 enneagram types
• describes each type in depth
• includes everything you need for each type on one page
• easy to follow layout makes it great for teaching and groups
• each number has it’s own color and relatable symbol