Green eyes are one of the rarest eye colors in the world, yet they tend to fascinate people and are thought to be quite unique and beautiful. But what defines green eyes, and what traits and characteristics are commonly associated with people who have them? Here is an in-depth look at what makes green eyes special.
What Causes Green Eyes
Eye color is determined by the amount and type of pigment in the iris of the eye. Brown eyes contain a large amount of melanin, the pigment that also colors skin and hair. Blue eyes contain low levels of melanin, while green, gray, and hazel eyes have a moderate amount of melanin. Green eyes specifically have low to moderate amounts of melanin as well as deposits of yellowish pigment called lipochromes in the iris that reflect light and make eyes appear green.
Genetically, green eyes are a result of two factors – the pigmentation of the eye and the way the iris scatters light. The main genes involved are OCA2 and HERC2, located on chromosome 15. Variants of these genes can produce less melanin pigment. And blue color, produced by the collagen fibers in the iris, combines with moderate melanin levels to produce green.
Green eyes are most commonly found in people of Northern and Central European ancestry. Countries with the highest known percentages of people with green eyes include Iceland at 89%, Ireland at 86%, and Scotland at 57%. Across the European continent, an average of around 17% of people have green eyes.
Unique Traits of Green-Eyed People
While eye color does not directly produce personality traits, some distinctive qualities have been linked to people with green eyes throughout history. Here are some of the most notable attributes of those with emerald green eyes.
Intelligence
Green-eyed individuals have often been considered highly intelligent throughout history. This perception may have originated with the Ancient Greeks and Romans, who commonly characterized people with green eyes as intelligent, strong-willed, and passionate. Later, many painters and writers in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods used green eyes as a symbol of knowledge and learning.
There are a few potential reasons green eyes have been associated with intelligence. During ancient times, green-eyed people were rare, making them novel and exotic to others. Their eye color may have contributed to an aura of uniqueness and wisdom. Additionally, areas with high numbers of green-eyed people, such as Northern Europe, placed strong cultural emphasis on education, furthering this perception.
Creativity
Green-eyed people are thought to have a creative side and be talented at the arts, music, and writing. Green eyes are often portrayed in paintings, stories, and mythology as belonging to creative thinkers and visionaries. Famous green-eyed writers, painters, and musicians including Virginia Woolf, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Frank Sinatra may have reinforced this perception.
One theory behind the creative tendencies of green-eyed individuals is that their eye color gives them a unique perspective. Their eye pigmentation allows them to experience visual information in a nuanced way, feeding their imagination. Research has also found connections between OCA2 gene variants linked to green eyes and parts of the brain related to memory and emotion processing.
Competitiveness
Green-eyed people are sometimes viewed as bold, ambitious go-getters. Historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte contributed to the image of green-eyed individuals as strong-willed competitors. Today, the rarity of green eyes may contribute to competitiveness as those with unusual eye colors feel pressure to stand out and succeed.
Biologically, there are a few explanations for why green-eyed individuals may be highly motivated. Melanin has been linked to the regulation of dopamine, the neurotransmitter connected to motivation and reward-seeking behaviors. Lower melanin levels may result in increased dopamine activity, driving competitive tendencies.
Alluring and Mysterious
Green eyes are often seen as mysterious, exotic, and attractive. The rarity of green eyes adds to their allure – less than 2% of the world’s population has green eyes. Throughout history, green or hazel eyes were celebrated in poetry, songs, and myths as beautiful and alluring.
Several factors add to the mysterious quality of green eyes. The subtle shifts between shades of green, gray, and blue can appear enigmatic. Minimal lipochrome around the pupil can also dilate the pupil, making green eyes seem darker and deeper. Additionally, moderate melanin levels mean green eyes are better than blue at concealing emotions, increasing their mystique.
Physical Traits Associated with Green Eyes
In addition to personality tendencies, certain physical qualities are more common among green-eyed people than the general population.
Fair Skin
Green-eyed people almost universally have fair or light skin tones. Low to moderate melanin levels result in little pigmentation of both the skin and eyes. Populations with high rates of green eyes, such as Irish and Nordic people, tend to have very pale skin that freckles or burns easily in the sun.
Reddish Hair
Red hair is strongly associated with green eyes. Ireland has one of the highest populations of redheads, with over 10% of the country’s inhabitants having natural ginger hair. Similarly, Scotland and Iceland have high numbers of green-eyed redheads.
Red hair results from mutations in the MC1R gene involved in melanin production. Low melanin levels produce both red hair and green eyes. Ongoing research has found that almost all naturally red-haired people have green or blue eyes.
Light Eyebrows and Eyelashes
Since eyebrows and eyelashes contain eumelanin pigment from melanocytes, green-eyed people tend to have light-colored brows and lashes. Blonde, light brown, auburn, and red eyebrow and eyelash shades are most common with green eyes. Heavily pigmented black brows or lashes are extremely rare in people with light green and blue-green eyes.
Pale Birthmarks
Birthmarks occur due to deposits of melanocytes in the skin. People with green eyes typically have birthmarks that are light tan, off-white, or pale salmon in color rather than dark brown. However, melanocytic nevus, also called moles, can be darker in individuals with green eyes because they originate from melanocytes deep within the skin.
Sensitivity to Sunlight
Low melanin levels make people with green eyes very sensitive to sunlight. They are at increased risk for sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancers like melanoma. Green-eyed people often need extra sun protection from UV rays such as wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and high SPF sunscreen when outdoors.
Personality and Physical Traits by Green Eye Color and Pattern
While all green-eyed people share some similarities, eye color can be broken down into specific shades and patterns that potentially impact personality and appearance.
| Green Eye Color | Personality Traits | Physical Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Green | – Highly creative, imaginative – Passionate, romantic – Jealous, emotionally intense | – Very fair, pale skin – Red or dark blonde hair – Light eyebrows/lashes |
| Hazel Green | – Adventurous, risk-taking – Charming, outgoing – Prone to mood swings | – Medium to olive skin – Dark blonde to brown hair – Medium to dark brows/lashes |
| Grey-Green | – Analytical, logical thinkers – Calm, level-headed – Critical, can be harsh | – Fair, burns easily – Red, strawberry blonde hair – Light to medium brows/lashes |
| Blue-Green | – Gentle, kind-hearted – Introverted – Sometimes passive, shy | – Very pale, translucent skin – Red or blonde hair – Very light brows and lashes |
The amount, type, and distribution of melanin and lipochrome pigments can produce different subtypes of green eyes with associated personality and physical qualities.
Central Heterochromia
Central heterochromia refers to eyes with an inner ring of a different color around the pupil. Green-eyed people often have central heterochromia with a golden, brown, grey, or blue circle around the pupil.
This condition likely indicates higher melanin levels concentrated near the center of the iris. Personality-wise, central heterochromia may be associated with a complex, dynamic personality that is a mix of traits.
Limbal Rings
Limbal rings are subtle dark bands where the iris meets the white of the eye, caused by melanin concentrated along the edge of the iris. Prominent limbal rings tend to make eyes look more vivid. Green-eyed people with darker pigmentation along the rims may be perceived as mysterious and alluring.
Some research indicates more limbal pigment is linked to good health, athleticism, and youthfulness. The limbal ring tends to fade with age as collagen breaks down in the eye.
Conclusion
Green is one of the rarest and most fascinating eye colors. The distinctive shade results from moderate melanin, low lipochrome levels, and Rayleigh scattering of light through the eye’s stroma. Beyond the biochemistry, green eyes have inspired mythologies, stories, and perceptions of intelligence and creativity for centuries.
Today, scientific research is uncovering new links between green eyes and personality traits like competitiveness and introversion. Specific green eye patterns also further refine personality profiles. While more evidence is still needed, it appears environment, genetics, and neurobiology may shape green-eyed individuals in nuanced ways.
So if you have green eyes, embrace your rare and beautiful eye color. Let the legends and mystery surrounding green eyes inspire you to learn more about yourself and your unique place in the world.
