What Does Your Eye Color Say About You?

Eye with colorful makeup

A lot of people fixate on eye color when they look at a person. Eyes are mesmerizing, and they help us see the beautiful world around us. They’re the reason we can interpret the many colors in this world. However, the color in your eyes may have some symbolism of its own.

Each eye color has unique meanings that might tell you a little more about the person you’re looking at. Those meanings may also help you understand your own eye color better. Keep reading to find out if your eye color’s meanings match up with your own personality.

What Determines Your Eye Color?

Variety of eye colors

Your genes determine the color of your iris. The amount of melanin in the front layers of the iris will determine what color your eye appears. For example, dark irises like brown have lots of melanin in them while lighter irises like blue don’t have quite as much.

However, there are two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is responsible for darker colors in an iris while pheomelanin can create lighter colors. The amounts of each type of melanin in your eyes result in your eye color. No two people have the same makeup of melanin in their eyes, so irises are as unique as fingerprints.

The melanin in your eyes comes from genetics. That’s why many parents with brown eyes will also have kids with brown eyes. Yet, some genes are dominant while others are recessive. So, eye colors can vary between children and parents depending on the genes. One of the reasons brown eyes are so common is because brown is a dominant gene.

It was once believed that each parent passed down one gene to determine a child’s eye color, but researchers have since discovered that it’s much more complex than that. Up to 16 genes can influence someone’s iris color, so the cause for someone’s eye color is a lot more complex than scientists once thought.

What Do Different Eye Colors Mean?

Eye color has a lot to do with genetics, but the color of your irises can also tell people a little bit about your personality. Of course, eye color isn’t the only aspect that can determine what someone is like, but it can be fun to learn about. Here’s what different eye colors could mean.

Brown

Closeup of brown eyes

55% to 79% of the world’s population has brown eyes, making it the most common eye color. Despite how frequent brown eyes appear, they can have a lot of different meanings to showcase each person’s personality. Brown eyes are typically linked to someone kind and humble. Brown-eyed individuals may be practical, outgoing, and easy to talk to.

If someone has dark brown eyes, they may be confident, making them good leaders. They likely care a lot about their loved ones, so they may often put the needs of others above their own. Those with light brown eyes may be a little more sensitive, but they’re still loyal with good communication skills. Most people with brown eyes like to make sure they have a healthy balance between social time and time alone.

Blue

Closeup of blue eye

Everyone had brown eyes about 10,000 years ago, but a genetic mutation caused blue eyes (and later other colored eyes) to occur. Since blue is less common than brown, people are quick to admire the beauty of blue eyes, but people with this eye color are deeper than just appearance. Many people believe that blue-eyed individuals are highly intelligent and are passionate about making the world a better place.

Even though blue eyes are more sensitive to light than brown eyes, blue-eyed people are best known for being strong and having a high pain tolerance. They can be cautious with their emotions, but when it comes to physical stamina, they can put up with discomfort longer than people of other eye colors. They tend to be cheerful, but it may take them a while to open up to new people. For that reason, many people mistake them for being arrogant.

Hazel

Young girl with hazel eyes

Hazel eyes come in a lot of varieties, but they’re usually a mix of brown and green. Many people claim hazel eyes change colors depending on various environmental factors. People with hazel eyes tend to value independence and crave adventure. They’re active, energetic, and have lots of physical strength. However, when it comes to emotions, they may be more sensitive and secretive.

Those with hazel eyes tend to be deep thinkers, which causes others to consider them mysterious. They’re self-aware of their strengths and weaknesses, so they rarely act impulsively. They often come up with out-of-the-box solutions before other people can. However, they can sometimes come across as selfish because they like to prioritize themselves. Many people with hazel eyes also have an appreciation for nature.

Green

Woman with green eyes

Green eyes are very rare, but many people favor them above other colors. Those with green eyes are creative and passionate. They know what they want in life and they aren’t afraid to work for it. At first, people with green eyes may come across as stubborn, but they can learn to adapt and get along with almost anyone. They can even stay calm and practical when faced with stressful situations, so many people feel comfortable around them.

People with green eyes tend to be on the quiet side, but they have a lot of deep thoughts. They can be quick to make decisions, but they may not speak up unless necessary. Most green-eyed individuals enjoy feeling unpredictable and free, but they will take commitments seriously when their loved ones are involved. They can be mysterious, and they have youthful energy regardless of their age. It takes a lot to anger someone with green eyes, and even if they’re bothered, they’ll likely keep those feelings to themselves.

Gray

Gray eyes close up

Gray eyes are another rare eye color, but some people believe they’re just a different version of blue. However, the melanin in gray eyes seems to be different than that of blue eyes. Gray eyes have a little more melanin than blue, making them less sensitive to light. People with gray eyes are known for having a well-balanced spectrum of emotions. They experience lots of intense emotions, but they’re great at overcoming them and becoming stronger as a result.

Gray-eyed individuals are hard workers because they tend to have better focus than people with other eye colors. They want to make sure they’re taken seriously, so they may go above and beyond to prove themselves to others. They’re also very adaptable, so they’re comfortable being in a variety of different social settings. They get along well with most people.

Amber

Amber eye and gray hair

Amber eyes are similar to brown, but they’re much lighter and almost have an orange tint to them. People with amber eyes like to be unique, so they rarely follow the crowd or fall for peer pressure. They’re confident in who they are, so people are more likely to trust them. Most people with amber eyes are also optimistic and excited about what the future will bring. They’re especially passionate about all the important people in their lives.

Despite their personal confidence, people with amber eyes also have a sensitive side. They may be more reserved around new people in fear of upsetting them. They can often sense when people are hurt or depressed, so they will offer comfort when needed. They’re great listeners, and they may offer uplifting advice and encouragement if needed. People with amber eyes are easy to trust, so they often have lots of friends.

Different-Colored Eyes

Man with different-colored eyes

If someone has two different colored eyes, it’s called heterochromia. Brown and blue is the most common combination, but it’s not the only option. Some people may even have multiple colors in one eye. Having different-colored eyes is rare, so it’s a sign that someone is unique, confident, and comfortable in their own skin. They may be seen as social and intelligent.

However, since different-colored eyes can vary in so many ways, it’s difficult to tell exactly what the person’s personality is like. In some cases, they could have the traits of both eye colors, but in other cases, they could have personalities that are unique to them. So, people with heterochromia may have a wider variety of personality traits than people of other eye colors.

Every Eye Color Is Beautiful

Blue women eyes and a colorful face

No matter how common or rare your eye color is, it’s beautiful and it’s all your own. Everyone’s irises are unique, so no one can be described solely by their eye color. Lots of parts of our appearances can tell people about our personalities, such as our hair colors and clothing styles, but looks alone can’t define us.

Odds are, you probably related to some of the personality traits associated with your eye color but not all of them. That’s because every person is unique and we should embrace that. Learning about meanings associated with eye colors is fun and fascinating, but don’t take it too seriously. If you really want to get to know someone, talk to them and spend time with them instead of making judgments solely based on how their eyes look.