Sanpaku is a Japanese term referring to eyes where the white sclera is visible above, below, or completely surrounding the colored iris.
With normal eyes, the upper eyelid generally hides the sclera above the iris. Meanwhile, the lower lid lies close to the lower limbus – the border between iris and sclera.
So in sanpaku, or “three whites”, eyes, one sees an extra ring of sclera compared to most people’s eyes:
- Lower sanpaku – sclera exposed beneath the iris
- Upper sanpaku – visible white space above the iris
- Complete sanpaku – sclera visible both over and under the colored iris
The only anatomical difference with sanpaku is in the amount of visible white of the eye. However, some Eastern philosophies read much more into the phenomenon.
Origins of Sanpaku Eye Mythology
The concept of sanpaku eyes comes from ancient Japanese face and palm reading traditions. It links physical traits with personality, fate, and inner health.
According to Chinese medicine researcher George Ohsawa, sanpaku eyes reflect imbalances in mind and body. He introduced the term to the West in his 1965 book about macrobiotics.
Ohsawa associated the visible sclera in sanpaku with characteristics like neurosis, psychosis, criminality, and susceptibility to disease. The wider the white shows, supposedly the more extreme the individual’s inner turmoil and fate.
Yin-Yang Philosophy in Sanpaku Eyes
In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang represent opposite cosmic forces that balance and counteract each other. Sanpaku eyes were seen as yin (dark/passive) eyes because the upper visible white resembled a crescent moon.
Yin sanpaku eyes supposedly indicate inner darkness, coldness, and melancholy. They were linked to creators and spiritual leaders because their inverted gaze looks to the heavens.
By contrast, sanpaku eyes with added lower white (yang) were associated with fiery emotions and aggression by early Chinese texts. Figures with lower sanpaku include warlords and murderers, but also passionate artists.
Sanpaku Eyes as an Omen of Death
Over time, the sanpaku eye legend expanded to link the appearance with imminent doom and disaster.
Seeing sclera above or below iris became viewed as a supernatural warning of shortened lifespan or violent death. Serial killers like Charles Manson and Black Dahlia murderer George Hodel both had sanpaku eyes, fueling the stigma.
Is there any truth to the legend of sanpaku eyes as an omen of death? Let’s analyze some key points.
People With Sanpaku Eyes Live Normal Lifespans
Despite myths, many famous sanpaku-eyed figures thrived into old age, like Elvis Presley and Robert Kennedy. Actress Greta Garbo lived to 84 although she showed much sclera.
So while sanpaku may have an eerie aura, there’s no evidence it alone predicts early death.
Violent Death Is Rare and Hard to Predict
Very few people die young in the Western world, and even fewer from homicide or suicide. Out of over 300 million US citizens, only about 2% of deaths occur before age 45.
Behavior prediction has an extremely high false positive rate. So it’s unlikely any single facial feature can flag violent outcomes.
Furthermore, alleged high-risk historical figures with sanpaku lived peacefully, like JFK, MLK, Jr, and Malcolm X.
No Known Mechanism Connects Sanpaku to Mortality
Some theories claim sanpaku shows blood vessel weakness or vital organ abnormalities. But without supporting evidence, these hypotheses seem unrealistic.
Medical science recognizes no mechanism for visible sclera alone to signal or cause early death.
Medical Causes of Sanpaku Eyes
Instead of portents of peril, most medical experts view sanpaku eyes as normal variations or complications of routine eye conditions.
Let’s explore some science-based reasons behind overexposed eye whites.
Aging and Lifestyle Factors
As the eyelid skin stretches and fat pads shrink over time, the lid margin can pull away from the eye. This leads to extra visible sclera in older people.
Lifestyle influences like sun damage and smoking may accelerate lid laxity and sanpaku eyes.
Eye Shape and Facial Structure
Eye anatomy varies, with eyelid shape, height, and iris size differing among people. Larger iris or deeper set eyes predispose to sanpaku.
A shorter upper lid, smaller palpebral fissure, or narrow lid aperture also make the sclera more likely to show.
Medical Disorders like Ectropion and Ptosis
Certain conditions cause anatomical eyelid abnormalities leading to sanpaku:
- Ectropion – outward lid turning exposes interior surface
- Ptosis – drooping upper eyelid uncovers more visible white above iris
- Graves’ disease – bulging eyes (exophthalmos) creates wide-eyed stare
These disorders require oculoplastic surgery, not supernatural remedies.
Dermatochalasis and Volume Loss
Sagging eyelids and cheeks may expose additional sclera due to tissue stretch and fat pad descent over time:
- Dermatochalasis – excess eyelid skin
- Tear trough hollows – sunken under eye area
These dynamic changes resemble normal aging rather than mystic signs of death. Fillers, laser resurfacing, or blepharoplasty surgery can rejuvenate the periorbital region.
Ancient theories linking sanpaku eyes to illness and dark fate make intriguing lore. But medical science finds no basis to the superstitions.
Exposed sclera has normal anatomical explanations in most cases. And lifespan studies show visible whites don’t indicate shorter longevity.
So while sanpaku eyes may look spooky, they seem physically harmless beyond dryness or self-esteem issues.
Your eyes can entrance without dooming your destiny. So relax and don’t lose sleep over excess sclera myths!