Eye Colour

Each of us has at some point met a person whose eye colour has astonished or moved us. Most often it is the owners of saturated eye colours who attract our attention - coal-black, deep green, or unusually light blue eyes. Poetry is written about them, songs are composed, because they create a certain impression of mystery and otherworldliness.

Eye colour is often used to try to determine a person's character or traits. Although scientists claim that the only thing that can be determined 100% from eye colour are markers of genetic heritage.

In one of its deepest layers, the iris contains special cells that hold the pigment melanin, which gives the eye its colour. All people are born with light-coloured eyes. The final eye colour forms at age 2–3. The more of these special cells in the iris, the darker the eyes.

Nations with light blue eye colour are usually those living as far as possible from the equator. Brown-eyed people are more common among inhabitants of the temperate climate zone. Black eyes indicate that a person comes from a region close to the equator. The darker the eye colour, the more it protects the eyes from the effects of intense sunlight. This explains the dominance of dark-eyed people both in the south and in the far north. Geneticists have established that the brown-eye gene is much stronger and always prevails over the blue or green eye gene.

Danish scientists spent 12 years studying the origin of blue eye colour and analysed the eye colour gene in thousands of people of various nationalities - Danes, Turks, Jordanians, and Indians. Professor Hans Eiberg of the University of Copenhagen believes that our ancestors had brown eyes, determined by a large amount of the pigment melanin in the iris. Around 10,000–6,000 years ago, a mutation occurred in the brown-eye gene OCA2 that reduced the amount of pigment in the iris. The less melanin, the lighter blue the eye - it seemingly fades. Contrary to the generally held belief that blue-eyed people originated from Scandinavia, it turned out that the gene mutation arose in the south - in the population of people living on the shores of the Black Sea. Scientists established that all blue-eyed people carry the OCA2 gene mutation. It is assumed that all blue-eyed people descended from a single ancestor and are therefore, however distantly, related. It must be acknowledged that not everything about the history of the human eye colour gene has yet been clarified.

Scientists at Newcastle University in the UK, meanwhile, studied the advantages of eye colour in attracting a partner. It was found that blue-eyed men, regardless of nationality and culture, prefer blue-eyed women. For example, 88 Norwegian students were shown faces with altered eye colour - so each face was viewable in two versions, with brown and with blue eyes. Women and brown-eyed men showed no preference for either eye colour, whereas blue-eyed men showed a clear preference for blue-eyed women. Perhaps the basis for such a choice is the prevailing societal assumption that blue eyes are fascinating? The next experiment followed - the eye colour of 443 young couples was determined. The majority of blue-eyed men indeed had blue-eyed partners. Such couples will only have blue-eyed children. If one parent has brown eyes, all or the majority (75%) of children will have brown eyes.

In another experiment, 171 British people and 37 Chinese people living in Europe between the ages of 20 and 26 were surveyed. In a series of tests, people were shown rectangles of various colours, from which the majority chose blue as the most pleasant colour; women also showed a preference for pink and violet. Why people love the colour blue the most can only be guessed at. Perhaps it is connected with pleasant memories of blue skies or the sea.

Let us also look at what astrologers say about eye colour and its compatibility with a person's character.

Grey or blue eye colour owners are never tormented by inner doubts. They are insistent and impulsive. They always move purposefully towards their set goal. They choose a partner based more on logic than on emotion.

Brown eye colour - such people know how to be liked by those around them. They usually dress tastefully. They have a good memory and the ability to reason clearly. Benevolent towards a relationship partner, but occasionally show their capricious side.

Green eye colour - insistent and diligent people who are demanding both of themselves and of others. Ready to do anything for the sake of friends, but never forgive betrayal from their side. In relationships with a partner they always strive to maintain mutual understanding.

Grey-brown eye colour - a contradictory character that never finds the golden mean. These people are often disappointed by those around them, so relationships do not develop as smoothly as they would like. They need a partner who would understand this inconstant and mysterious nature.

Greyish greenish-brown eyes - often doubtful and indecisive, which hinders achieving success in life. They always believe in miracles and never give up in life. These people are completely happy in a relationship with a partner who understands them. Interestingly, on Russian-language websites this colour is called среднерусский (the "Middle Russian" shade). :)

Greyish-green eyes - brave and energetic people, but with a tendency to blame themselves for any mistake or mishap. They often express uncertainty in opinions and decisions. They usually choose a partner themselves and love deeply. But if that person does not return the same, a separation is likely to follow soon.
Greenish-brown eyes - knowledgeable and peace-loving people. What matters most to them is comfort and peace of soul. Hardworking and patient. They usually have many friends and acquaintances who always turn to them for advice or support. Faithfulness prevails in their relationships.

Sources used:

http://www.lu.lv/terra/2008/mai_jun/jaunumi.html
http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/quiz/411/
http://hor.passion.ru/l.php/tsvet-glaz-vash-astrologicheskii-diagnoz.htm
http://znakomstva-sitelove.ru/article.php?fn=16