What is the Virgo Personality Type?

Virgo is one of the zodiac's earth signs, represented by a symbol resembling an “M” with a loopy end. With a mutable modality (sometimes called quality), Virgo is less apt to stay static than to keep moving forward, with an eye to spontaneity and adaptability. The last sign of the summer season, you might know Virgos for their picky, critical nature, but that’s only a snippet of what a Virgo is. 

Those born under “The Maiden” sign have birthdays between August 23 and September 22. Virgos, like dreamy summer vacations, aren’t predictable but are full of vivacious, quick-witted energy. These loyal, passionate people will win you over with their outwardly elegant flair. 

Here’s the low-down on the Virgo personality. 

Hardworking Virgos prefer the big picture

Virgos have an endless thirst for hard work. They put in extra hours and perfect their skills because they want to be the best at their job. It’s an admirable work ethic, and some famous go-getters are Virgos including Beyoncé, Keanu Reeves, Pink and Prince Harry.

While meticulous in their work and precision-focused, Virgos are famous for their big-picture thinking skills. This makes them fantastic at planning and executing tasks, both current and future—you bet a Virgo will alphabetize a display of books, make a color-coded vacation itinerary, and know what they’re ordering when trying a new restaurant because they Google searched the menu ahead of time!

But with any strength comes a similar weakness. Virgo is sometimes too hardworking and too perfectionistic which can lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. When Virgos have difficulty meeting their own high standards, they can become self-critical and stressed out.

They can be overly critical

Virgos are both self-critical and critical of others. Whether in the workplace or at home, Virgos may feel let down by people who are too laid back in their approach to cover the details, or when they fail to do the job “just right.” Virgos are diligent and resourceful, and they expect others to have the same attention to detail.

Although changing this wiring is challenging, Virgos should try to remember their standards aren’t always realistic. 

Virgos are creative and life-long learners

Virgos know that knowledge is power so they are always seeking ways to improve themselves. If you’re a Virgo, you can’t get enough learning and you’re not a stranger to online courses, self-help books and informative documentaries. 

But your intellectual side isn’t just pigeonholed in academia. You have a natural curiosity about life and like to express yourself through creativity. Whether that means crafting, knitting, writing or painting, Virgos regularly engage both the right and left brain. 

Virgos are kind, compassionate and helpful

Kind-hearted and compassionate, Virgos love to help those they care about. They strive to make a difference by giving themselves, their time or their resources to solve problems in useful and practical ways. These zodiac types feel valued whenever they help others. 

In fact, the Virgo personality is one of the most giving of the zodiac. This means they’re loyal and reliable friends and family members. In romantic relationships, they’re just as giving. 

Virgos plan and plan and plan again 

Virgos can sometimes have a spontaneous nature because of their mutable quality—but don’t let that fool you. The Maiden is the quintessential planner. A Virgo with a plan is a glorious thing to behold. Imagine an organized planner for a family reunion, complete with scheduled blocks of time, family bonding activities, events organized by color and a list for each individual’s dietary needs—that is what a Virgo’s ideal system looks like. 

Virgo doesn’t need to be in control, but they sure like to be!

Which of the 16 personalities is a Virgo most likely to be? 

Of the 16 personality types, the closest match is ISTJ. The second closest would be ESTJ. 

Breaking down the Virgo’s personality traits, it is clear they trend toward Thinking over Feeling. Less about their emotions and more about the facts, a Virgo person isn’t going to make decisions without looking at all of the evidence. They also fall best into the Sensing preference. That’s because they search for cold, hard facts and tangible information as a basis for decision-making, rather than obscure patterns and intuition. Finally, their organized, precision-planned lifestyles make it clear they’re Judging types. 

While ISTJ is what this zodiac sign matches best, remember that everyone is unique so there could be any combination of personality types for a particular Virgo. For instance, Beyoncé is an ISFJ.

Which Enneagram is a Virgo most likely to be?

Of the nine Enneagram types, Virgo is most like Enneagram Type 1, “The Perfectionist.” 

Because Type 1s fear being flawed or imperfect, they cope by being hard on themselves. These types are motivated by their need to be “good” and to have a purpose, so they constantly seek the best way to complete tasks. This focus aligns with Virgo’s nature to seek perfection and hold themselves to high standards. 

It also aligns with their habit of wanting to learn about lots of different things and pursue life-long self-improvement. Enneagram Ones will pursue their passions endlessly, as will a Virgo. Both types also like to help others with the hope of recognition (even if it’s just a “thank you”) as they seek reassurance that they are valuable, honorable people.

But this sure-fire match isn’t sure-fire. Beyoncé is an Enneagram 3; other Virgos can have different Enneagram types.

Summing up the Virgo personality type

The Virgo personality seeks perfection and holds themselves and others to high standards—but they’re more than their critical nature. Virgos are caring, hardworking intellectuals who have a love of knowledge, facts and creative endeavors. These types are also meticulous planners. 

Virgo's quick-witted, bright-eyed yet practical approach to life makes them most like an ISTJ, while their emphasis on perfectionism aligns them with the Enneagram Type 1. But if you’re a Virgo, don’t forget you’re every bit as unique as you think, and no one is exactly like you.