Eyes and Eyebrows in Face Reading

The eyes are called the "windows of the heart" in Chinese face reading, and the eyebrows show temperament and relationships with family and friends. Here is what the traditional readings say.

Eye shape and size

Round eyes

Lively, happy and intelligent, observant and self-confident, bold in thought and expression. Hard-working and responsible, loyal and generous to friends. Sociable and open, though sometimes too quick to believe what they hear.

Large eyes

A dreamer and thinker who likes to stand out and do things differently; neat in appearance and inspired from within. Another reading describes a brave, perceptive and well-organised person who plans ahead, though impatience can cause mistakes.

Very large eyes

Strong-willed since childhood, wants recognition and trusts only those closest to them, whom they love deeply. The lesson is to keep an open mind.

Wide, "open" eyes

Kind-hearted, compassionate and observant, open and fun to be with. Not always the most diligent, and sometimes hasty, but learns from mistakes.

Prominent eyes

Persuasive and determined to reach their dreams. The tradition notes that this person can find it hard to let go of hurt and may hesitate over big decisions.

Long, narrow eyes (almond-shaped)

Generous and unselfish, excellent with people and understanding of their thoughts and feelings; intelligent, well educated and careful.

Small eyes

Clever, quick to learn and curious, calm and careful. Another reading adds that they are serious, shrewd and hard to fool, and excellent at solving problems.

Very small eyes

Highly ambitious, always moving towards the next opportunity. The tradition advises learning contentment and not taking on more than they can handle.

Small, long eyes

Loyal in friendship but prone to worry about things that may never happen. The old advice: when the mind races, tell yourself "let go, stop, enough".

Deep-set eyes

A good memory and a love of learning, but easily bored, so always seeking something new; considerate in groups and curious about everything. Another reading describes a resourceful, honest and well-prepared person with strong emotions who takes responsibility for their actions.

Narrowed, squinting eyes

Shy and not very talkative, with a few close friends to whom they stay very loyal. The old texts warn against jealousy of others' success.

Single eyelids

Very patient and determined, sticking with a task until it succeeds; strong and steady.

Double eyelids

Knows clearly what they want, though others may not always understand them. The advice is to think before speaking.

"Sweet" eyes

Charming, attentive and generous, with feelings kept deep inside.

Position of the eyes

Eyes set close together

Says what they think, avoids other people's problems and keeps feelings to themselves; quick to learn and clever, but impatient.

Eyes set wide apart

Relaxed and fun-loving, rarely stressed, loves learning and change for the better; polite and well mannered.

Right eye larger than the left

Kind, helpful and good with people, well mannered and loved by everyone.

Left eye larger than the right

Very self-confident, sometimes too much, which can mean missed opportunities; proud and never willing to be taken advantage of.

Iris touching the upper eyelid

Cautious and slow to trust, competitive; the tradition advises learning to forgive, as anger lingers.

Iris touching the lower eyelid

Tends to get involved in other people's affairs, which can bring trouble. Becoming more generous turns life around.

Crossed or squinting eyes

Easily influenced by the people around them, so good company matters; careful, cautious, considerate and open-minded.

Eyelids and lines

Puffy lower eyelids

Eloquent, knowledgeable and wise. (Puffiness can have medical causes; see a doctor if it persists.)

Puffy upper eyelids

Strong, impulsive emotions; the advice is to pause before acting when angry and to learn to solve problems independently.

Lines under the eyes

Fun-loving and generous with money, finding it hard to save; the tradition advises building savings and taking relationships seriously.

Crow's feet

Thinks deeply about everything, keeps a lot inside, and has a passionate nature.

Dry-looking eyes

Tends to take on too much without thinking first, so worries pile up; private, with a quick temper.

Eye habits

Looking up while speaking

Determined and resilient, always seeking progress; should take care that words and actions match.

Looking down while speaking

Prefers familiar ways and dislikes change; the old texts advise others to get to know this person well before trusting them fully.

Closing the eyes while speaking

The tradition reads this as a sign of someone who keeps their motives hidden; openness builds lasting friendships.

Blinking often while speaking

Very ambitious for wealth and recognition, so life is a constant effort; appears brave in front of others while hiding fears inside.

Eyes showing white around the iris

Bold, competitive and willing to take risks, but can act without thinking; relationships work best when someone is willing to compromise.

Eyebrows

Thick, dark eyebrows

Serious and meaningful in speech, independent and dislikes being under others' command; shrewd, private, brave and patient.

Coarse, bristly eyebrows

Competitive and fierce; the tradition advises avoiding quarrels, which tend to cost this person dearly.

Long eyebrows

Loves a simple, peaceful life, avoids conflict and lives long; often from a stable family with a good upbringing.

Very long eyebrows (beyond the eye)

Excellent people skills and a generous heart, clever and quick to learn, and rarely short of money.

Sparse, thin eyebrows

Calm, mindful and modest, preferring not to stand out; family life may need extra care and patience.

Arched eyebrows (like a bow or crescent moon)

Clever, quick and resourceful, devoted to family and very grateful to their parents.

Thin, delicate eyebrows

Gentle and polite but decisive once their mind is made up; sincere and serious.

Small eyebrows

Very ambitious; the old texts advise patience and sincerity in dealings with others.

Short eyebrows

Readings warn of struggles with family, friends and finances; generosity and patience are the remedy.

Large, bushy eyebrows

Hard-working, quick and capable, though problems may need help from others, often from their father.

Brush-like eyebrows

Direct, decisive and brave, a commanding leader who expects to be followed.

Low eyebrows

Learns at their own pace and should be careful not to be misled by others.

High eyebrows

Quick to learn, observant and far-sighted, respectful to everyone and avoids conflict.

Drooping eyebrow tails

Forgiving and generous, respected and suited to leadership. The tradition advises against helping others with things that are not right, such as covering their debts.

Rising eyebrow tails

Ambitious and competitive, a natural leader who wants to come out on top; fairness to others is the lesson.

Split eyebrow tails

Good-humoured, happy and popular, with natural charm that attracts admirers.

Between the eyebrows

Narrow gap

Clever, but prone to worry and overthinking; the advice is to put intelligence to practical use and look after health from middle age.

Wide gap

Steady, far-sighted and independent, preferring an easy-going, simple life; long-lived.

Several vertical lines

Charitable, kind and hard-working, practical, simple, alert and careful.

Two lines

Wise and a natural adviser, good at solving problems and very responsible.

Several horizontal lines

Kind and helpful to those in need, patient and persistent, though sometimes acts before thinking.

Two horizontal lines

Considerate and modest; friends often bring their problems, so this person should protect their own peace.

A single horizontal line

The tradition advises care with health and with spending beyond one's means.

Eyelashes

Thick eyelashes

Sociable, adaptable, cheerful and in good health.

Long eyelashes

Clever, quick to learn and orderly; the tradition advises regular exercise to stay healthy.

Short eyelashes

Healthy and strong, preferring a quiet life away from other people's problems.

Sparse eyelashes

Impatient and strong-willed, drawn to good looks; the lesson is patience and reliability.