Where Did the Sanpaku Eyes Superstition Come From?

What Are Sanpaku Eyes?

“Sanpaku eyes” refers to eyes where the pupil is surrounded by white on three sides. According to superstition, this extra white area may appear below or above the iris.

In cases other than scleral show, the iris is directly adjacent to the upper and lower eyelids, while the white sclera is only visible on the left and right sides of the eye. Traditional face reading looks at much more than visible white, and what the eyes mean in face reading explains how eye shape, gaze and spirit are read together.

What Is the Sanpaku Eyes Superstition or Curse?

A Supposed Link to Tragedy and Violence

“Sanpaku eyes” (eyes with the whites of the eyes visible below the iris) are associated with tragedy and violence. People with sanpaku eyes are generally divided into two categories: “yin sanpaku” and “yang sanpaku.” Those with yin sanpaku, where the sclera is visible below the iris, are said to be more prone to illness or tragic deaths. Those with yang sanpaku, or whose sclera is visible above the iris, are considered more violent towards others.

Princess Diana, President Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, and Audrey Hepburn are among the celebrities who are infamous for having yin-sanpaku eyes.

Charles Manson, the murderous cult leader, is a notorious example of the “three-white-eyed” cult.

How George Ohsawa Popularized the Belief

This superstition was popularized in the 1960s by George Ohsawa. Ohsawa believed that the concept of “sanpaku” (the whites of the eyes appearing on the surface of the skin) had existed in Eastern philosophy for thousands of years and was a sign of physical, mental, or physiological imbalance. In his books, Ohsawa advocated a macrobiotic diet, which he claimed could cure people with “sanpaku.”

The macrobiotic diet, originally created by Dr. George Ohsawa, is a combination of dietary recommendations (such as 40-60% whole grains, 20-30% fruits and vegetables, and 10-25% soy products) and lifestyle practices (avoiding microwave ovens, caffeine, and alcohol). Modern health experts warn that such diets are not always the healthiest and may lead to nutritional deficiencies (such as vitamins, iron, protein, and calcium).

Types of Sanpaku Eyes

Yin Sanpaku (White Below the Iris)

It is said that people with this type of eye (three whites visible above and below the eye) are more likely to get involved with drugs or alcohol, or face a tragic death in other ways.

In his writings, Ohsawa describes “three-white eyes” as a warning from nature, foreshadowing a person’s potential early death and tragic end. He then lists historical figures with “three-white eyes” who died young, such as Kennedy, Marie Antoinette, Abraham Lincoln, and Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Yang Sanpaku (White Above the Iris)

In superstition, people who can see white light above their eyes are often violent towards others.

Although Ohsawa did not specifically discuss Yang Sanpaku in his book, it is still widely regarded as part of the Sanpaku legend.

Medical Reasons for Sanpaku Eyes

Natural Causes

“Sanpaku” (exposed sclera) due to natural causes is not actually an official medical term or condition (in Western medicine, it’s more widely accepted as scleral exposure). Some people are born with eyelids that naturally expose more of the sclera, but this is unrelated to a person’s health, personality, or fate.

Protruding eyeballs can also occur naturally with age, depending on your eye size and cheek structure.

You can also show off your sclera by widening your eyes and/or tilting your head in some way.

Physical Trauma

If you have ever broken a facial bone, the healing and scarring process may result in a reduction in the amount of your lower eyelid that covers your sclera.

Ectropion

Ectropion causes the lower eyelid to rotate outward, making more of the lower sclera visible. Depending on the severity, doctors may recommend certain ointments, artificial tears, or even surgery; surgery is the most effective way to repair the eyelid.

Many different factors can cause ectropion, including muscle weakness, facial paralysis, or genetic disorders.

Complications of Lower Eyelid Surgery

Please remember that it can take weeks or even months from having eyelid surgery to full recovery.

Key Takeaways on the Sanpaku Eyes Superstition

Sanpaku Eyes Don’t Predict an Early Death

Having sclera visible above and below the whites of the eyes does not foreshadow an early death or a violent future. All the conspiracy theory videos on TikTok seem genuinely convincing, especially when they showcase numerous celebrities seemingly cursed with sclera visible above the whites of their eyes. In reality, these deaths are tragic coincidences; many celebrities without sclera visible above the whites of their eyes have also died tragically (or continued to commit violence against others).

Ultimately, the power of superstition depends on how you perceive it. Once you recognize the control and independence you have in your life, the “three-white-eye curse” doesn’t seem so terrifying.

The Belief Spread to Promote a Diet

The spread of the belief in “sclera visible above the whites of the eyes” was intended to promote a specific diet. Although the superstition about sclera visible above the whites of the eyes existed before the 1960s, it was George Ohsawa’s discussion and interpretation of this belief that truly popularized it in Western society. In his book, *You Are All Sclera Vision*, Ohsawa claimed that almost every American he had seen had sclera visible above the whites of their eyes to some extent, and used this fact to promote the Macrobiotic Diet (a diet historically attributed to him).

From many perspectives, this widespread superstition can be considered to originate from a marketing strategy rather than a genuine prediction of someone’s fate.

References

This article is a summary and compilation of articles from the website www.wikihow.com. For more information, please visit that site.