Chinese eyes. Why do the Chinese have narrow eyes? Narrow eyes are a sign of evolution

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 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 against freezing of the face in cold winters and, less likely, as a local reserve nutrient with 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.

“Cross-eyed” is how white people unencumbered by internal culture sometimes call Asians. We will not talk here about the ethics of such statements. Everything is clear here. But with “squint” (and at the same time with narrow-eyed) Asians, let's try to figure it out.

So, there is general confidence that the distinctive physical feature of the Mongols, Japanese, Chinese, Thais and other representatives of the Mongoloid race are the so-called “slanting” eyes . However, this is just one of the most common Asian myths (along with the misconception that Asians have yellow skin). Characterizing people belonging to this race as cross-eyed is not only unethical, but also just as wrong as characterizing people of the European race as long-nosed, as, for example, the same people of the Mongoloid type believe.

The “squint” of the Mongoloids is just an optical illusion. It arises due to the fact that representatives of the Mongoloid race have a less prominent nose, while Caucasians usually mentally “link” their eyes to their nose. In Mongoloids, the nose “begins” lower, which is why it seems to us that the eyes are somewhat slanted.

Glen Doman, author of popular books on child development, writes about this: “... after all, everyone knows that the Japanese have slanted eyes. Now close your own eyes and imagine a typically Japanese face. Do you see those slanted eyes? And in fact, aren't they the most characteristic feature Japanese faces? Yes, of course, you say, unless you are Japanese yourself. But the Japanese do not have slanted eyes, they have a straight eye shape, that is, they are not located at an angle to each other, but absolutely parallel! Why don't you experiment right now? Close your own eyes again and imagine a Japanese face. But you see slanted eyes again?”

An optical illusion also explains the idea of ​​Asians as “ narrow-eyed X". This is also a misconception. In fact, the eye socket itself is even larger in Mongoloids than in Caucasians. But representatives of the Mongoloid race have the so-called “Mongoloid fold of the upper eyelid” (epicanthus), which fills the “empty” space of the orbit. Since we are accustomed to a different ratio of the sizes of the eye and the orbit (and we are accustomed to considering its size constant), we have the illusion that the eyes of Asians are narrower than those of Caucasians.

Interestingly, Asians themselves do not perceive European eyes as wider. Nevertheless, the Japanese, Chinese, Koreans and other Mongoloids, when they first went to Europe or America, have difficulty distinguishing between Caucasians. Thus, the wife of the last Chinese emperor Pu Yi, the only ruler of China who traveled outside his country and visited Europe, writes in her memoirs how difficult it was for her to participate in official ceremonies due to the fact that it was difficult for her to distinguish faces - for example, faces of members royal family England or relatives of the German Emperor.

Almost Asian.

And I can’t help but mention one funny story here.

They say that in the famous film “Mimino” there was one episode cut out by censors, when the heroes of Kikabidze and Mkrtchan were riding in the same elevator with a group of Japanese in a hotel. Coming out of the elevator, one Japanese said to another:

- These Russians all look the same...

There is no clear answer to this question. There are several versions about this. According to the first, all Asians, including the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Mongols, belong to the Mongoloid race. If you believe historians, then this is a fairly ancient people that arose on our planet at least thirteen thousand years ago. Scientists agree that it was life in rather harsh climatic conditions that made its own adjustments to their appearance, which, in particular, were reflected in the shape of their eyes. To put it simply, this happened due to their adaptation to existing climatic conditions.

At that harsh time, the Asian continent was dominated by winds that raised huge clouds of sand and dust into the air. It is quite understandable that people living in such conditions had to constantly squint. In the process of long evolution, nature took care to somehow protect people's eyes from such harmful effects. She made their eyes narrower and their eyebrows thicker.

And yet, how does the face of a European differ from the face of an Asian?

There are several main differences:

1. There is no eye fold on the upper eyelid.
2. The presence of a narrowed palpebral fissure.
3. The lacrimal tubercle is closed by the internal orbital fold.

All these features are genetic in nature and are passed on from generation to generation. Asians are very skeptical about them, counting them among their shortcomings. Although, such a judgment can be considered incorrect. After all, the narrow shape of the eyes has its own charm, and Asian women, in their beauty, are in no way inferior to European ones. In addition, every nation has a similar twist.

And so, we came to the conclusion that the presence of epicanthus in Asians is due to the need to protect their eyes from sun rays, cold, dust and sand. Although, one can argue with this, even for the reason that most peoples living in similar conditions have a completely normal eye shape. So it turns out that for now this is just an unconfirmed hypothesis.

According to another opinion, the presence of a narrow eye shape in Asians is due to purely genetic reasons. These people settled all over the planet. Some tribes lived in complete isolation. It is quite possible that a narrow eye shape was present in most representatives of the tribe, and could well have been fixed genetically. However, there are some nuances here too. For example, the Chinese have never been a single people. This is a kind of symbiosis of Asian peoples, the mixing of which occurred in the process of evolution.

There is another hypothesis that explains the origin of the narrow eye shape of Asians. It denies the fact of settlement and the influence of climatic conditions, but relies on purely physiological principles. In other words, the man preferred a woman with a narrow eye shape, considering her more attractive. This gene was passed on by inheritance, and gradually became a characteristic feature of a given people. This is how peoples with narrow eyes arose.

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 an equally interesting question: why do asians have narrow eyes? Really, why?

Why do Asians have narrow eyes?

This eye shape is called epicanthus- a 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. Most The best way creations are 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 adheres to the version evolution. Asians are a people living in vast steppes and deserts, where strong winds with sand always blow. 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 an eastern country where the sun shines brighter at sunrise than, for example, in Europe. That’s why this defensive reaction was embedded in their gene pool.

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.

Why do the Chinese have narrow eyes? I have finally solved this mystery of nature. Dust storms have nothing to do with it!

A year ago there was a new addition to the university. Another group of Chinese exchange students arrived. Chinese women are on the first floor, and on the second and third. So they gave me a guess.

Have you paid attention to the lips of Chinese girls? Pay attention! The hair is black-black, the teeth are white-white, and the lips are bright scarlet.

Scarlet-scarlet! These are the features of national lipstick.

The contrast is sharp - you can’t help but squint. Reflexively.

How else are our men not blinded by such beauty? For example, I now wear dark glasses around the university. In them, reality is not so distracting.

I teach economics.

If you take off your glasses, you don’t think about the economy. I think about Chinese women. If you put it on, thoughts return to the ways of Russia’s development. I recommend glasses.

In general, it’s time to give us teachers milk for the harmfulness of production. We are surrounded by blooming youth. And, as you know, it seethes and provokes heroic deeds. Especially in the spring.

It’s easier for students - they have no time for Chinese women - one thing on their minds: how to pass the exam without learning anything.

And the teachers have thoughts - either about a ridiculous salary, or about a special path for Russia, or, as I said above, about Chinese women (if the teachers don’t wear dark glasses).

But since I had to prepare for classes and sign my notes, and I still had twenty-three business plans to check, something had to be done to concentrate on work.

And I found a way out - to neutralize the attractiveness of foreign growth with the intensity of training.

I had a student Jen. I don’t speak Russian very well, and I don’t speak Chinese very well. In English, of course, we both spoke, but each translated it differently.

Thanks to Jen I invented graphic method communication based on the Russian-Chinese-English-Nizhny Novgorod language. It also came in handy that I can draw and explain things with my fingers.

So, I draw a circle with a red felt-tip pen: “Understand, Jen?”

- Yes - yes! - She nods.

I draw lips in this circle with a blue felt-tip pen - lipstick and a tube of lipstick. I cross out the circle and its contents with a red slash. I point to Jen and say: “Yu! Understand?” She nods again: “Yes-yes,” which means I understand.

Next to me I draw two eyes with eyelashes: “Mai aiz luk et yu viv difikelti” Like, it’s hard to look at you. Very bright. The brightness needs to be dimmed. I’m already adding this using sign language on my fingers.

She smiles: “Undestend-undestend!” And for some reason he pronounces the word: “wushu!”

I repeat: “You need to put out the lipstick!” And again I point to her lips, and then to “mai aiz” - her eyes. I enhance the appeal effect by introducing the word “believe.” Which means - very.

In general, we talked and understood each other in our own way. She decided that there was something wrong with my eyes and recommended wushu, and I realized that Jen was smart.

One way or another, she “extinguished” her lips. An intensive learning process began.

I would ask if she knew what economics or marketing was, and if Jen blinked back, we moved on.

In order not to torment her with complex terms in a foreign language, I extremely simplified all the concepts and continued to use my graphic-finger method for clarity.

With my help, Jen quickly learned that modern Russian business is built very simply: buy something for one ruble (dollar, yuan, euro) outside the borders of our Motherland, and then sell it inside the country for two, three, four, five - whoever will be able to.

We sell oil, gas, timber and the list goes on to those in the West and East. They, those who are South, East, and West, are driving us palm oil and everything else.

The economy of the transition period in fact means grabby: who will snatch what. The principle is the same - who dares, eats. He who has not eaten sits.

In general, Jen, I hope, “andestendz”, that on the market, as on the market.

AND international relationships I reduced it to understandable clarity.

We have Caliber, the West has sanctions. Putin + Xi Jinping = friendship! China + Russian Federation= friendship! USA – UNFRENSHIP!

Jen, in turn, also shared with me the secrets of the Chinese economic miracle.

BASE, she wrote in block letters, dash GORBACHEV, equals sign DEN XIAOPING, and immediately crossed out the equals sign with a slash.

I said “understand”, and I very much agree with her position. Of course, Jen was also interested in our internal situation. I asked a lot of questions:

"Liberals?"

I shook my head.

"Patriots?" - I pumped again.

Kudrin? Glazyev?

- No, no, Jen, they are resting. We have Medvedev in office. There is no money, but he holds on.

- Who is guilty?

— The duty officer in the country is Chubais!

We are looking for our way. China has one - silk. We have the North Sea Bridge, plus the Crimean Bridge.

The oligarchs and Gazprom are national treasures. The military-industrial complex is our everything! Medium business is protected. Small is in the shade. Salary in envelopes. Officials are everywhere. Corruption is evil. Social politics- bright future. This is me, as an example, briefly, giving the main provisions of the compressed course.

Gradually, Jen and I disassembled the entire economy into arrows - dashes and supporting words. The semester flew by.

I learned a lot from my Chinese comrade. And I think that I now have enough material for a PhD thesis. I am writing a monograph. Topic: “The role of wushu in raising the Russian economy from its knees.”

I’m almost ready for the pre-defense, all that remains is to publish an article in an academic journal from English scientists.

Clever Jen got the credit she deserved, she came by yesterday to say goodbye. Returns to his homeland.

Her lips turn red again, her smile shines. And I'm calm. Thanks to Wushu, I learned to squint in such a way that it is not dangerous for my eyes.

We took a selfie with Jen as a souvenir. It turned out great.

She has black-black hair, scarlet-scarlet lips.

I am without hair, with a white mustache and squinted eyes - the spitting image of a Chinese! Further proof, by the way, of my popular scientific discovery about the origin of narrow-eyedness.

Now Jen is already flying home over the Russian economy.

A nine-hour flight, if she looks out the window more often, will consolidate in her mind the theory she learned with my help.

And a new stream of students from the Middle Kingdom is already walking around the university. I squint and assess the growing succession of our economic partners.

You know, as a professional, I look into the future with optimism. It seems to me light-blond: black-black hair, white-white teeth, and scarlet-scarlet lips...

Vladimir Lapyrin(From the series “Stories. Change”).

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