Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and few eyes are as striking as hazel eyes.
Whereas brown and even blue eyes are relatively common, hazel is something of a rarity and often described as different colors, but why is that?
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From green to blue to dark brown, the hazel eye color isn’t pinned down to a single hue, making it a fairly unique and interesting mutation.
This is also why some people believe hazel-colored eyes change color depending on the person’s emotions. While this would be amazing, it’s quite literally a trick of the light.
(Doesn’t make those of us with dark brown eyes any less jealous, though!)
That said, hazel can change over time. It’s all thanks to human genetics, which we’ll explore shortly.
We’ll also take a closer look at hazel characteristics, what sets them apart from other human eye colors, and how people with this eye color supposedly differ from others.
Table of Contents
What Causes Hazel Eyes?
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For many of us, our first foray into human genetics is a simplified take on dominant and recessive genes, oftentimes about hair or eye color.
We learn that brown eye color is dominant, while blue eyes are recessive. By this logic, two blue-eyed parents couldn’t have a child with light brown eyes, much less a child with hazel or even the more mysterious grey eyes.
Turns out, many factors determine human eye color, including mutation and light.
Just as you might see a red-haired baby born to a pair of blondes or brunettes, you’ll find family members with different eye colors.
Here’s the science behind hazel eye genetics:
- Eye color inheritance isn’t determined by one or two traits, but by at least 16 different genes. This means that if you have blue or brown eyes and the right genes, you might end up with a bouncing hazel baby.
- There’s actually no hazel, green, or blue pigment present in the iris (the colored part of the eye.) Eye color is dependent on the amount of melanin present, the same pigment that determines skin color.
Hazel eyes appear as they do because they have more melanin in them than green or blue eyes but less melanin than brown eyes. However…
- People with hazel eyes aren’t necessarily born this way! White, non-Hispanic babies with blue eyes can develop more melanin as they age, leading to hazel or, in other circumstances, green and brown eyes.
- The way hazel appears to change color isn’t a parlor trick. It’s actually due to Rayleigh scattering, the same optical phenomenon responsible for the blue sky. Combined with the lower concentration of melanin, the way light scatters within the iris reveals not just a single natural eye color, but varying wavelengths of green, blue and brown.
- This has led to the hazel eye color being referred to as the “eye color chameleon” by scientists.
- The chameleon effect is emphasized by the way pupils contract. Pupil size affects how light reflects in the eye and how we perceive this light, giving credence to the myth that hazel eyes change with someone’s emotions.
- Much like when we wear something to “bring out our eyes,” hazels can appear to reflect the colors around them—a great reminder for anyone interested in the best hair color for hazel eyes!
- Finally, hazel, blue, grey, and green eyes are all a result of genetic mutation. Brown eyes, the most common eye color, are believed to have been the standard up until some several thousand years ago.
What Makes Them Unique?
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Hazel-colored eyes are a vibrant and beautiful display of color, but they can be hard to describe compared to other eye colors. Green hazel eyes, brown hazel eyes, blue hazel eyes—all applicable descriptors.
If you’re in need of a little inspiration, here are a few facts on the uniqueness of hazel eyes:
- Since eyes are a focal point of our faces, we all want to describe our eye color in fun, fantastical ways. People with hazel eyes are no exception. Their eyes are multi-colored, commonly described as a mix of green, blue, and dark brown with flecks of light brown or gold woven in between.
- No two iris patterns are the same. Hazel eyes are the most obvious example of this after heterochromia, a condition where someone has two different colored eyes.
- That said, they tend to have a dominant color: green or brown. Depending on the concentration of pigment in the iris, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that some people with hazel eyes also have green or brown eyes.
- And while hazel eyes don’t change colors, they can appear to do so according to someone’s mood.
As we mentioned previously, our pupils contract—not just in reaction to light but to our emotions as well. We see this in all eye colors, but it’s more apparent in hazel.
- Many people with hazel eyes have a brown ring around the outer part of their pupils, adding to their air of mystery. In some cases, this ring is a form of central heterochromia.
- Meanwhile, in others, this ring is more like a burst-like pattern, exaggerating the low concentrations of melanin. This differs from green eyes, which usually appear more solid in color.
- Although there’s no uniform color, they take their name from the hazelnut shell.
How Rare Are Hazel Eyes?
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Humans essentially exist on a spectrum, with some traits being less common than others.
Here’s what we found out about hazel eyes rarity, plus a few other cool facts:
- According to the World Atlas, only about 5% of the world’s population has hazel eyes, making them extremely uncommon.
Meanwhile, blue eyes account for about 8 to 10% of the world population whereas brown eyes dominate at a whopping 79%.
- However, this doesn’t make hazel the rarest eye color. Grey eyes (3%), green eyes (2%), violet eyes as a result of albinism (<1%), and people with heterochromia (<1%) rank as the rarest.
- The hazel eye color commonly appears in people of Brazilian, North African, Spanish, or Middle Eastern descent.
- That said, you’ll find hazel eyes across Caucasian populations. In fact, this population group gained the vast majority of eye color mutations, save a handful of exceptions.
- The rarer an eye color, the more desirable they’re thought to be. For this reason, hazel eyes often lead in popularity polls, second to only green eyes in this one example!
- Likewise, due to their rarity and natural beauty, hazel is a common color choice for contact lenses.
- Although quite rare, the hazel eye color is quite common in Hollywood. For example, celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck, Zendaya, and Lady Gaga all have hazel eyes.
- As another nod to pop culture, hazel eyes have been the topic of several songs over years. “Behind These Hazel Eyes” by Kelly Clarkson and “Hazel Eyes” by The Darkness are two famous examples!
Superstitions, Beliefs, and Opinions On Hazel Eyes
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The eyes are the window of the soul.
Whether this applies to a person’s eye color too remains to be seen. Whether you’re superstitious or just interested in cultural perceptions on eye color, check out these factoids below:
- Two words are said to describe people with hazel eyes: fun-loving and outgoing.
- If you happen to have hazel eyes, then you’ll be happy to know you’re also believed to have excellent social skills, a cheery disposition, a great sense of humor, and deep, meaningful friendships.
- You might also find that people think of you as independent and resourceful (if a little stubborn.) You know how to get things done on your own and prefer not to ask for help.
- On the flip side, you’re happy to help others. You’re trustworthy and reliable. If a loved one ever needed help, you’re happy to lend a hand.
- On that same note, hazel-eyed individuals have a passion for adventure. They enjoy taking risks and may have one or two extreme hobbies, like snowboarding or surfing.
- That said, they’re quite responsible. Despite their risk-taking ways, people with hazel eyes always think things through before leaping into danger.
- Funnily enough, this doesn’t extend to internal conflict. Those with hazel eyes would rather avoid a fight or argument, a trait they picked up from a young age.
- People with hazel eyes supposedly have a greater sensitivity to pain. Ouch!
- Given how many well-known celebrities have this eye color, creativity and the arts go hand-in-hand with hazel eyes.
- Elegance and mystery: another two traits said to be associated with hazel eyes. Given the mystique and rarity of the color, there is undoubtedly something alluring about those with hazel eyes.
- They also have a great sense of style! For instance, the best eyeshadows for people with hazel eyes are any shade similar to the colors of their eyes, such as gold or chocolate brown.
Conclusion
The range of colors that make up our characteristics is fascinating. Eye color in particular is something that has always captivated us and few colors are as stunning as hazel.
From their unique mutations to their rarity across the globe, hazel eyes stand out in a sea of browns and blues.
Does someone you know have hazel eyes? Do you? Let us know what you love about them in the comments below.
I have hazel eyes. Very light brown with hints of green and grey. It’s cool to find out some facts about others with Hazel eyes. Is anyone else’s eyes super sensitive to lights?
I have hazel eyes. Not hazel brown or hazel green.. Hazel. l Had blue eyes till I was 3. My Mom and Dad. and 3 siblings all have brown eyes and are, were brunette. I was a ginger until High School then my hair turned brunette.
My wife was the first person to tell me my eyes changed with my mood. Green when I was happy, blue when I was angry. Two of my boys also have my green hazel eyes with the third having grey eyes like his mom.
Can your eyes start out one color as a kid and change as you age?
I always grew up knowing I had brown eyes. Everyone commented on my “snappy brown eyes” or my “big brown eyes” . But now I’m in my 50s and for many years my eyes have been hazel with a green ring around the outside of my eye and a golden brown toward the center with flecks of red. My mom has blue, dad has deep dark brown, and my sister, brother and I all have hazel.
I sware i started out with golden brown eyes , but they are definitely hazel now.
Well I learned something as a adult. My dad has dark almost black brown eyes. My mom ice blue. I have hazel leaning towards the green. It was always a anomaly on both sides of the family. Moms side is German/Scottish. My dads is Brazilian/osage. Being as Brazil is where a lot of hazel eyes are, apparently I’m a throwback. Nice to know.
Was born with dark Brown eyes, but they are Hazel Brown/green now. People have told me, That my eye color change with my mood. My parent dont have Brown eyes nor Hazel.
Hi,
Forgot.. My Dad actually had one green eye and one blue eye, he had been injured as a child in the war and had shrapnel still in his green eye. He had a eye operation as a child and I always thought this is why is eye colour was different…(who knows)
Hi,
I thought I would let people know that I have hazle green eyes, same for my 3 sisters. My Mum had grey and Dad blue. All 3 of my children have blue eyes, even though my 2 oldest kids father had hazle as well. My youngest child’s dad has green eyes. My childrens eyes are from pail blue to a striking blue colour.
My hazel eyes are in the blue/green/grey spectrums.
If I wear blue, my eyes tend to blue, if green then also green. The same for greys!
That’s beautiful.
I have hazel eyes like my uncle. Everyone else on both sides of mine and his family has blue or green eyes. Its so weird. We describs our eyes as starbursts bc they’ll be light brown & green one moment & burst into green or gold all of a sudden. Or one eye will be all green & the other remaining hazel. When I cry or drink alcohol they turn a rly rly weird gold color I’ve had a handful of people throughout my 33 years actually get to witness the Starburst effect in the middle of conversation & they seem to get a real kick out of it. It sort of freaks them out lol I’ve only witnessed them once or twice while I was in the mirror doing my hair & makeup & it is quite strange to see! I was born to a mom with sea blue eyes & a dad with the weirdest eye color, like his mom has, that I think ive ever seen in my life which is Grey with a tiny tint of like a very pale crystal green color. They’re both tan with jet black hair & my mom & her mom are both blonde hair blue eyed.
I have the same colors and my grandmother also have ice blue eyes :D
My hazel eyes are a mixture of army green and brown, but I also have a birthmark in my eye. My maternal grandmother had the same thing only her eyes were ice blue.
My son has Hazel eyes. Blues & greens & brown ring around pupil. Funny because his color has constantly changed & I’ve said for a long time I’m not sure what color your eyes are. He just got his license & they put on there Hazel so this is when I realized what Hazel eyes really are & why I could never tell even at birth what color Brooks eyes are. Glad I found this web page.
Mi madre tienes los ojos marrones y mi padre verdes azulados, yo los tengo hazel, con una especie de estrella color avellana al rededor de la pupila y el resto es verde y ámbar. Son originales, a mi me recuerdan a un caleidoscopio :)
Oops…I didn’t mean to post twice…
My eyes turn teal when I cry or am near a water source(my brother jokes that I am a mermaid…), its kinda a glowing green like yours. They are usually never the same color throughout the day, in the morning like all the eye colors(besides red and violet) it also includes teal mixed in, then it goes to half gray-half very light brown, then a mix of navy with flecks of light green through it. It switches like that through the day…nobody in my family(my siblings and parents)has the same exact eye color.
My eyes were green, then they turned to hazel having sometimes green, teal, blue, and gray, light brown…all in there at once. Sometimes even a mixup of navy and green. My eyes usually look cloudy, right now as I type, my eyes are greenish-gray. 1/3rd of my eyes are brown on both and 2/3rds of it is gray right now. When I am close to the beach not on it or close to any water, my eyes turn teal(my brother jokes that I am a mermaid). My family all have different eye color, none of us have the same. If I cry there look teal, kinda glowing green like you said…
I was born with blue eyes but Mum said they changed before I went to school. My Dad’s from Swedish background were blue. Mum was Scottish, a long line going back generations. Hers were green/Hazel, her Mum’s were brown but her sister’s were brown/Hazel. Mine are green/Hazel and I love my Hazel eyes, especially after reading this article. I didn’t know how special Hazel eyes are. My Husband would tell me my eyes went very green when upset.
My name is Tammy as well. I have hazel green eyes with blueish outer boarder and flecks of gold/brown. The rarity of our eye color and first names the same is more rare. Interesting.
I have hazel eyes but they were blue at birth. My dad has the strangest eyes I’ve ever seen. They been smokey gray since he was born. My mom’s is dark brown almost black looking. If I cry my eyes look like they are almost glowing green. I don’t understand it but they are pretty when they are like that.
Mum green eyes, dad blue. Brother blue eyes, my sister and I, Hazel, dark green and almond.
I was born with Hazel eyes. My mother has the dark brown eyes and my dad the pretty blue. My mothers family (maternal and paternal) had the dark brown eyes also. On my dads side (maternal and paternal) also had dark brown eyes. He was the only one out of four kids with blue eyes. I have one paternal 2nd and 3rd cousins that have hazel eyes. Mine look different with everything I wear or when then sun or light hits them. I have always had fun with having Hazel eyes. When I was a teenager and up into my twenties, my dates wondered if ever wore contacts just to confuse them. Would have to show them how they looked when in the certain light. Pulled over one time by State Police. The day was very cloudy dark. My eyes appeared dark brown. The officers was very young. He looked my license and back at my and said they got your eye color wrong. I said no sir, they are Hazel and can appear dark brown. He asked what Hazel eyes where. Well anyway I love my Hazel eyes
I have brown green eyes I have two daughters one is blue eyed and the other has blue eyes. My mother has blue eyes. My eye color often changes from green to brown.
I was born with hazel đź‘€ and something I noticed as a child as well as a few of my friend’s without me bring it up is that me eyes do change from more blue or green. Sometimes in just a few minutes, and this can happen as a result of me just changing the shirt I am wearing.
I have blue green with a tinge of gold. People usually get my eye colour wrong depending on the light. Some will swear I have green eyes and other times pale blue. I have the same eyes as my mum. My wife has beautiful hazel eyes as well and our 2 daughters have hazel eyes.
Hazel green – very conflicting as I have to ask what colour are my eyes .. example for my drivers license I asked the person serving me. Yet through my naturopath “iridology “ blue green outer ring. Mood too I believe.
This article is great. My Grandparents on Father’s side were from Sweden. Everyone in the family had blue eyes. Father had Paul Newman eyes.
Naturally I always wished I had his eyes.
Mom brown eyes, her brother Hazel green eyes.
I have Hazel green eyes. Was always told I had beautiful eyes, but still wanted blue eyes.
Thanks to this article I now know how unique & special they are.
Born with brown eyes, they have changed to a gold/green/brown mix. I had measles when a kid and the past twenty years, they have changed. 66 now.
I doubt the measles had anything to do with that. I once had blue eyes and they turned light green/hazel. Same with my daughter. She had very blue eyes until she was about 4 and now they are a green/grey hazel. My son was also deep blue and now his eyes are blue with a gold ring around the pupil. None of us have had measles.
I have hazel eyes my mom had hazel eyes and my dad has blue eyes. Sometimes my eyes turn more green.
I love my hazel eyes. They look like they’re always changing colors which is awesome. My friends are always trying to pin down the color without success. In the sun they look yellow and green, in the shade they look brown and gold. They have a bit of blue and some brown flecks, but that isn’t very noticeable.
I was born with Hazel eyes, my mum has dark brown and dad was blue, my big brother was blue and my kid sister brown, people always say my eye colour is rare and lucky, mmm that’s debatable!!, I think mines is more brown Hazel, then at different times they get lighter then go darker, weird but love the colour
My grandma has two different colored eyes and I have hazel eyes. Also what do you mean low pain tolerance I love fighting becuase I don’t fell anything
I was born with bright blue eyes. As I got older my eyes started getting some green in them. Now my eyes are a mix of blue and green. They appear to change color depending on my mood, lighting and colors I’m wearing. I get complimented on my eyes all the time and even get asked if they are contacts.
I have hazel green eyes, my sister has blue eyes, my mom has blue eyes, and my dad had hazel green eyes. My son has hazel green eyes and my daughter has bluish gray eyes. Most of my ancestors are from England, Scotland and Ireland. I also have a little Swiss French, German, and Dutch.
I have hazel Eyes and my sister does too and to be honest it changes each day from hazel to bluish brownish and I love it it’s beautiful and I love my eyes
Woah, generations of hazel eyes. I know I get my hazel eyes from my grandma on my dad’s side but there is a few people with hazel eyes on my mom’s side.
I think when I was born, my eyes were just green. Now, they change color all the time. Right now, they’re a bright green but just the other day, I watched them turn from blue to green. It was AMAZING and then the rest of the day, they were all sorts of colors like grey abd stuff. But any way, I think I got my hazel eyes at about a year and a half.
I have hazel green eyes. Which I love as my favorite facial feature! People often compliment them or ask if they’re “real”. I have a light golden brown starburst around the pupil, then a yellow ring which becomes a light olive green through out the midway section. And a navy blue ring around the outer edge. My mom says I look like I have glowing eyes like a lion’s.
My kids say they’re “rainbow eyes.” I just say they’re hazel. :)
Hazel eyes got me complements all my life. My kids always hated it because they didn’t inherit them.
I have hazel eyes with brown as the more dominant color, I’m pretty sure i have green, yellow, and brown (one time they were green in class and in the next period turned yellow) I also get remarks about my eyes,
Born with gray eyes, they changed to brown during early and middle childhood and then started turning green as I approached 10. They kept changing for a while to a more lighter greenish -grayish tinge during the summer and brownish-greenish during the winter. They finally became hazel, with a gray border and green and brown in the middle, with a slight tinge of yellow. I feel very lucky and people found them geoegeous. Lucky and feel blessed!
I was born w/ grey-blue eyes. At age 5 I had the “German” measles & @ that point my eye color changed to hazel though I still have a cousin who insists my eye color is brown. It depends on what color I wear, though the gold around the pupil is always there.
Love my hazel eyes. I do get a lot of comments on how beautiful they are. I have three colors in my eyes. Green,Gray,&Yellow. That was told to me by my eye doctor.And Then I have long eye lashes too.
My eyes are Hazel, my mother’s eyes were Hazel.
When this septagenarian looks in the mirror, I still see her eyes. Enough said.
I have hazel eyes.. I love the color of my eyes i love how they change with the mood I’m in..
I have hazel eyes. When I was younger in school, everyone would say that my eyes changed throughout the day. All throughout my life people will comment on my eyes. They would say yours are beautiful.
Born with blue eyes. At 4 yrs old I got very sick with measles. My eyes changed colour to hazel.