A question that many ask is why the Japanese and other Asians like Koreans and Chinese have slanted and sometimes even smaller eyes than Westerners. Is there a scientific explanation? In this article, we will try to unravel this great mystery.
According to scientists, this is the result of an evolutionary adaptation of the Mongoloids, the biological group from which most Orientals originated.
Research says that the palpebral fissure is smaller in Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, and other peoples for practical reasons to help against cold regions, a way to reduce the brightness reflected by snow.
According to scientists, the Mongoloids emerged in a cold area in northern Asia thousands of years ago. Genetics is developed during the adaptation process of people to a particular geographic space or ecosystem.
See some characteristics of Japanese and Asians:
- Slanted eyes;
- Straight black hair;
- Light skin;
- Smooth and soft face;
- Oval, round, or narrow face;
You may be wondering why the Japanese still have slanted eyes, given that Japan is not that cold, and there are countries in North America that are much colder and no one has slanted eyes. Not to mention that even Russia, which is very cold, Russians have not acquired this characteristic much.
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The slanted eyes of the Japanese
We do not know if slanted eyes are the result of human evolution or just characteristics of DNA. The most certain thing is that all Japanese have slanted eyes due to their isolated nature.
Japan and other Asian countries (differences between Japan and China) still have slanted eyes because the country lived a long time away from the world. Even after westernizing, there are still few relationships with Westerners to mix and share these characteristics.
The eyes of the Japanese or Orientals are not slanted or smaller than Westerners, but the eyelid is smoother and not curved like in Western eyes (see also Sanpaku eyes superstition).
The upper palpebral sulcus, usually well-defined and about 7 mm above the ciliary line in Westerners, is absent in East Asians.
Another reason that helps give the appearance of slanted eyes is the epicanthic fold, present in most Orientals, while Westerners have lost this fold.
Research reveals that Westerners face more prejudice than people with different skin colors, sizes, and weights. Do Westerners feel superior? This is ironic since Asians are the majority in the world.
The Japanese are greatly influenced by Western culture and by anime. This ends up resulting in a large number of young people who want to enlarge their eyes.
Is this theory true?
I personally doubt this theory of cold and the evolution of Mongoloids. I personally think this is a characteristic of DNA, which would explain the color, size, and body of the Japanese.
Many Asians from China have darker skin, while in Brazil we have a good mix, even Brazilian Indians have slanted eyes, so I believe that climate does not have much relation.
I think the determining factor in differentiating Orientals from Westerners is precisely the absence of mixing peoples in past centuries, which helped to pass the gene forward.
Currently, the Japanese have more open eyes than the Chinese and Koreans, and with the westernization of Asia, these characteristics may increasingly spread and diversify around the world.
Just as people are darker or lighter due to the amount of melanin produced in the skin. Asians and Westerners have differences in faces, eyes, sizes, and weights due to climatic situations, diet, lifestyle, and due to genetics and characteristics of parents and descendants.
What do you think about this? Is there a secret behind the slanted eyes of Orientals? I hope you enjoyed the article, we appreciate comments and shares!
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