Epicanthus- a special fold at the inner corner of the eye, to a greater or lesser extent covering the lacrimal tubercle. epicanthus is a continuation of the fold of the upper eyelid. One of the characteristics characteristic of the Mongoloid race is rare in representatives of other races. Anthropological examinations determine not only the presence or absence epicanthus a, but also its development.

Development epicanthus but reveals great geographical differentiation. Highest concentration epicanthus and occurs in the population of Central, Eastern and large parts of Northern Asia - usually over 60% in adult men: among Kazakhs it does not exceed 40%. Among the Turks there is a fairly high percentage of distribution epicanthus and among the Yakuts, Kyrgyz, Altaians, Tomsk Tatars - (60-65%), 12% - among the Crimean Tatars, 13% - Astrakhan Karagash, 20-28% - Nogais, 38% - Tobolsk Tatars. epicanthus also common among the Eskimos and sometimes found among the indigenous peoples of America. Absence epicanthus but is typical for the European population as a whole. It is also not found among the indigenous populations of Australia, Melanesia, India (except for a number of Tibetan-speaking peoples in the Himalayas), and Africa.
Some anthropologists have hypothesized that Mongoloid-type facial features are a special adaptive feature for living in severe cold conditions. Connecting the origin of the Mongolian race with the continental regions of Central Asia, they indicate that the special features of the Mongolian eye (eyelid fold, epicanthus) arose as a protective device that protects the organ of vision from winds, dust and the harmful effects of reflected solar radiation in snowy areas.

However, the emergence epicanthus but could be due to other reasons. Thus, an intragroup connection between the severity of epicanthus and the flattening of the nose bridge, namely, it is shown that the higher the nose bridge, the less on average epicanthus. This connection was found in all series studied in this regard: Buryats, Kazakhs, Yakuts, coastal Chukchi, Eskimos, Kalmyks, Tuvans. However, a low nose bridge is not the only and not a sufficient condition for the occurrence of epicanthus A. Apparently epicanthus also depends on the thickness of the fat layer under the skin of the upper eyelid. epicanthus to a certain extent, it is a “fatty” fold of the upper eyelid. When studying epicanthus and among some of the Turkmens of Ashgabat, who had noticeable mild Mongoloid features (5-9% of the total population), it was found that in individuals with very strong fat deposits on the face epicanthus was noted significantly more often than in individuals with a low degree of fat deposition [source not specified 1208 days]. It is known that increased fat deposition on the face is characteristic of children of the Mongoloid race, who, as is known, have particularly strong development epicanthus A. Local deposition of fatty tissue in children of the Mongoloid race could have had different meanings in the past: as a means of preventing facial frostbite in cold winters and, less likely, as a local supply of a nutrient with a high calorie content. The steatopygia of the Bushmen and Hottentots is also an example of local fat deposition in a population whose physical type was formed in an arid climate.

Answering a child’s question about why the Chinese narrow eyes, one could easily dismiss it: precisely because the earth is round, the grass is green, and the hare long ears. Are differences between people really that important? We are all different, nature (or, if you prefer, God) created us that way. But the human mind tries to find logic in everything, and this is quite natural.

Perhaps Chinese children attack their parents with equally tricky questions, wondering why Europeans have too much White skin, Blue eyes or red hair. Let's try to explain the mysteries of genetics from the point of view of science, science fiction and folklore.

Epicanthus is a distinctive feature of the eye structure

There is a misconception that the eye size of Asians is much smaller than that of the indigenous inhabitants of other continents. In fact, the Koreans, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese are in no way inferior to the rest of humanity by this criterion. The only difference is that their eyes are often located on the face with a slight slope, that is, the inner edge is slightly lower than the outer, and upper eyelid equipped with an epicanthic fold that almost completely covers tear duct. In addition, Asians, unlike Europeans, have a dense layer of fat under the skin of the eyelids, so it seems that the area around the eyes is somewhat swollen, and the incision resembles a thin slit.

Evolutionary processes

Scientists, answering the question of why the Chinese have narrow eyes, refer to changes in the structure visual organ during evolution. You probably know what race the Chinese belong to - most Asian peoples are Mongoloids by race.

The harsh climate of the area where this ethnic community arose 12,000-13,000 years ago influenced physical characteristics of people. Nature has taken care to protect the eyes from strong winds, sandstorms, bright sunlight. People's vision was not affected at all by this, but the Japanese and Chinese do not need to squint, protecting their eyes from the effects of adverse natural factors.

By the way, not all Asians like the peculiar structure of their eyes. According to statistics, over the past few years, more than 100 thousand Chinese have undergone surgery in an attempt to give their faces European features. It is interesting that not only the fair sex, but also men go under the knife. To the Europeans themselves, such transformations seem strange, because the narrow eye shape is a kind of “highlight” of the Chinese, this is what attracts attention.

Descendants of the Dragon

It is known that the Chinese themselves consider themselves children of the dragon - this mythical animal is the symbol of the Celestial Empire. According to legend, one of the ancestors was a young man named Yan-di - the son earthly woman and the celestial dragon. If you believe ancient legends, at the dawn of civilization, Chinese girls more than once became objects of desire for fiery, underground and flying dragons.

From these marriages, of course, children were born. Unfortunately, we don’t know what real dragons looked like. But we can assume that it was their genetic code that left its mark on their appearance modern peoples, inhabiting East Asia. Perhaps it is the kinship with dragons that explains why the Chinese have narrow heights and yellow skin?

People from other planets

Despite all scientific achievements, an absolutely reliable version of the origin of humanity has not yet been developed. Some believe in the divine creation of the world, while others are closer to the Darwinian theory, which claims that our closest relatives are monkeys. The hypothesis also has a right to exist that the diversity of earthly races and nationalities is due to the fact that the Earth is a refuge for people from other planets or galaxies.

Assuming that this is indeed the case, one could understand the nature of many incomprehensible mysteries. Why do the Chinese have narrow eyes? It's simple - in the corner of the Universe where they came from, everyone is like that. It is quite possible that at different times our land was visited by giants who built pyramids in Egypt and placed stone idols on Easter Island. But you never know how many unknown secrets our planet holds! The narrow eyes of the Chinese seem like nothing in comparison.

We are all cut from the same cloth

Summing up the results of our not entirely scientific investigation, I would like to tell one very nice parable that explains the racial differences between peoples. Having decided to populate the planet with intelligent beings, the Creator fashioned figures of people from dough and put them in the oven for baking.

Either the Creator dozed off, or was distracted by other more important matters, but an unforeseen situation occurred: some of the figurines remained raw and white - this is how they turned out to be Europeans, others were burnt - it was decided to send them to Africa. And only the Mongoloids came out yellow, strong, moderately baked - exactly as it was originally intended. And the fact that someone’s eyes are not large enough or their cheekbones are too wide is not a flaw, but God’s vision of beauty.

The meaning of this beautiful legend, imbued with good humor, does not aim to emphasize the superiority of some peoples over others. Of course, we are all different, but regardless of eye shape and skin color, we have equal rights and opportunities. Each of the peoples inhabiting planet Earth is unique in its own way. External signs individuals in comparison with the moral and cultural values ​​of the ethnic group have no meaning.

Epicanthus- a special fold at the inner corner of the eye, to a greater or lesser extent covering the lacrimal tubercle. Epicanthus is a continuation of the fold of the upper eyelid. One of the characteristics characteristic of the Mongoloid race is rare in representatives of other races. Anthropological examinations determine not only the presence or absence epicanthus a, but also its development.

Development epicanthus but reveals great geographical differentiation. Highest concentration epicanthus and occurs in the population of Central, Eastern and large parts of Northern Asia - usually over 60% in adult men: among Kazakhs it does not exceed 40%. Among the Turks there is a fairly high percentage of distribution epicanthus and among the Yakuts, Kyrgyz, Altaians, Tomsk Tatars - (60-65%), 12% - among the Crimean Tatars, 13% - Astrakhan Karagash, 20-28% - Nogais, 38% - Tobolsk Tatars. epicanthus also common among the Eskimos and sometimes found among the indigenous peoples of America. Absence epicanthus but is typical for the European population as a whole. It is also not found among the indigenous populations of Australia, Melanesia, India (except for a number of Tibetan-speaking peoples in the Himalayas), and Africa.
Some anthropologists have hypothesized that Mongoloid-type facial features are a special adaptive feature for living in severe cold conditions. Connecting the origin of the Mongolian race with the continental regions of Central Asia, they indicate that the special features of the Mongolian eye (eyelid fold, epicanthus) arose as a protective device that protects the organ of vision from winds, dust and the harmful effects of reflected solar radiation in snowy areas.

However, the emergence epicanthus but could be due to other reasons. Thus, an intragroup connection between the severity of epicanthus and the flattening of the nose bridge, namely, it is shown that the higher the nose bridge, the less on average epicanthus. This connection was found in all series studied in this regard: Buryats, Kazakhs, Yakuts, coastal Chukchi, Eskimos, Kalmyks, Tuvans. However, a low nose bridge is not the only and not a sufficient condition for the occurrence of epicanthus A. Apparently epicanthus also depends on the thickness of the fat layer under the skin of the upper eyelid. epicanthus to a certain extent, it is a “fatty” fold of the upper eyelid. When studying epicanthus and among some of the Turkmens of Ashgabat, who had noticeable mild Mongoloid features (5-9% of the total population), it was found that in individuals with very strong fat deposits on the face epicanthus was noted significantly more often than in individuals with a low degree of fat deposition [source not specified 1208 days]. It is known that increased fat deposition on the face is characteristic of children of the Mongoloid race, who, as is known, have particularly strong development epicanthus A. Local deposition of fatty tissue in children of the Mongoloid race could have had different meanings in the past: as a means of preventing facial frostbite in cold winters and, less likely, as a local supply of a nutrient with a high calorie content. The steatopygia of the Bushmen and Hottentots is also an example of local fat deposition in a population whose physical type was formed in an arid climate.

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I was born and raised in the south of Buryatia, on the very border between Russia and Mongolia, and I never thought about the shape of the eyes of my fellow countrymen until they asked me what nationality I was! This was followed by no less interest Ask About, why do asians have narrow eyes? Really, why?

Why do Asians have narrow eyes?

This eye shape is called epicanthus- special physiological phenomenon when the fold The upper eyelid covers the lacrimal tubercle. As you can see, physiologically, this is just a different structure of the eye, which, by the way, is found not only among Asians, but also among some tribes of Africa.

The presence of epicanthus among a number of peoples still does not have a scientifically based answer; there are only assumptions. After studying articles on the Internet and interviewing my friends and acquaintances, I came to the conclusion that there is many versions and explanations of the origin of this feature, which can be divided into several blocks:

• religious version;
• evolutionary version;
• mythical version.

Religion in shaping the shape of the eyes

Asian peoples have a parable about the origin of people. One day, after God created the world and our planet, he decided to populate it with people. The best way to create is sculpt figures of people from clay and burn them. And God began to work.

blinded he figures and put them in the oven, but something distracted the creator, and he did not have time to pull the figures out of the stove in time, and they got burned. God sent such people to Africa.

blinded he is still action figures and sent them to the oven, but this time God pulled them out of the oven too early and the figures turned out too white. Posted by the creator of such people to Europe.

The third time God tried really hard, made faces for the figures happy and smilingthe eyes have already turned out as a result of this, but God thought it was very beautiful. He put them in the oven and burned them in moderation. This is how the Asians turned out. WITH yellow skin and narrow eyes.

Legends and myths in the formation of eye shape

The Chinese have a legend that the progenitor of all Asians was the young man Yan-Di, the woman's son and sky dragon. Dragons have always been symbols of victory and life for the Chinese; it is not surprising that at the dawn of civilization many girls became their victims. Jan-Di, according to legend, looked different from ordinary people. He was more powerful, more beautiful, and his face was special... He had narrow eyes.

Narrow eyes are a sign of evolution

The most reasonable scientific version sticks to the version evolution. Asians are a people living in vast steppes and deserts, where it always blows strong winds with sand. Therefore, after a couple of thousand years, epicanthus appeared among the peoples living in these places.

There is also an opinion that eyes narrowed due to constant squinting. Asia is eastern countries, where the sun shines brighter at sunrise than, for example, in Europe. That's why this was included in their gene pool. defensive reaction.

By the way, there is a third version. The occurrence of epicanthus is associated with low nasal bridge and fat deposition in the upper eyelid. It is known that epicanthus is a layer of fat. In people who have enough fat deposits, the epicanthus is more noticeable than in others. Increased fat deposition on the face is noticed in almost all children of the Mongoloid race. Scientists believe that increased fat deposition on the face in children is associated with protection from freezing and protection from dry climates.