Reading Temperament from the Eyes
Introduction: the eyes don’t lie
In the rich tradition of traditional medicine, every person has their own temperament, a blend of four basic qualities: heat, cold, moisture and dryness. This basic temperament shapes not only our psychological and behavioural traits but also our physical features, and even the geometric shape of our organs.
The eye is one of the most delicate, refined and blood-rich organs of the body, so it is a true mirror of our inner state. Because of its sensitive structure, changes linked to temperament appear in the eye much faster than in other organs. That is why great physicians such as Ibn Sina, in The Canon of Medicine, used careful examination of the eye as one of the main tools for diagnosing temperament and even for foreseeing illness.
Step-by-step principles for reading temperament from the eyes
To analyse correctly, like a traditional physician, looking at a single feature is not enough. An accurate reading needs several factors assessed together:
- Size: large and full, or small?
- Shape: round and prominent, or narrow and almond-shaped?
- Colour of the white of the eye (sclera): pure white, or milky, yellowish, red or dull?
- Moisture and tears: are the eyes watery or dry?
- Eyelids and surroundings: puffy and fleshy, or thin and sunken?
- The gaze: sharp and penetrating, tired and heavy, deep and focused, or dull and sleepy?
- Accompanying signs: burning, dryness, itching or sensitivity to light?
The golden rule: in traditional medicine no single sign is enough on its own. The whole picture of signs must always be assessed together.
1. Balgami temperament (cold and moist): gentle but tired eyes
Features:
- Size and shape: the eyes are large and often prominent.
- Eyelids: thick, heavy and puffy (especially bags under the eyes).
- White of the eye: dull or milky.
- Moisture: the eyes are quite watery.
- Gaze: slow, calm and sometimes sleepy.
Traditional reading: in people with a moist temperament, the organs tend to expand and gain volume, which causes puffiness and heaviness.
Common problems:
- Constantly watering eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Blurry, misty vision
- A tendency to eye infections
- Frequent styes
- Cataracts in later life
In short: problems in this group are usually heavy, slow and watery.
2. Sevdavi temperament (cold and dry): deep, focused eyes
Features:
- Size: small and narrow (the almond shape is an important sign).
- Surroundings: deep eye sockets with dark circles.
- Eyelids: thin, with little fat.
- Moisture: dry.
- Gaze: very deep and attentive.
Traditional reading: in people where dryness dominates, the organs are smaller and finer.
Common problems:
- Chronic dry eye
- Gradually blurring vision
- Floaters
- Night blindness
- Sensitivity to light
- Weakness of the retina
In short: these problems are usually chronic, slow to progress and wearing on the tissues.
3. Safravi temperament (hot and dry): sharp, fiery eyes
Features:
- Size: medium or small
- White of the eye: tends towards yellow or red
- Moisture: dryness is common
- Gaze: sharp, quick and energetic
Common problems:
- Sudden eye inflammation
- A burning feeling
- Dryness and a feeling of heat
- Strong sensitivity to light
- Sudden blurred vision
- Corneal sores
In short: these problems come on fast, are acute and come with burning.
4. Demevi temperament (hot and moist): attractive, bright eyes
Features:
- Size: large and beautiful
- Eyelids: full and slightly puffy
- White of the eye: slightly pink
- Blood vessels: visible
- Moisture: bright and balanced
Common problems:
- Red eyes
- A feeling of pressure
- Mild inflammation
- Small burst blood vessels
- Temporary blurred vision
In short: these problems are linked to an excess of blood and pressure in the vessels.
Quick guide
- Large + puffy + watery → Balgami
- Small + narrow + dark circles → Sevdavi
- Sharp + yellow/red + burning → Safravi
- Large + bright + visible vessels → Demevi
Important cautions
- Mixed temperaments are common. People rarely have a single, pure temperament.
- Don’t confuse passing signs with temperament: lack of sleep → dark circles; crying → redness; allergies → watering.
- The eyes alone are not enough. A diagnosis should also look at the skin, pulse, sleep, digestion, muscle and bone structure, and hair.
Conclusion
The eyes are not only for seeing; they are also one of the strongest tools for seeing our inner world.
- Large eyes → moisture
- Small eyes → dryness
- Redness → heat
- Puffiness → cold and moisture
Read correctly, these signs help us understand not only temperament but also foresee illness and choose a more thorough treatment.
Sources
- Avicenna. The Canon of Medicine (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb). Chicago: Great Books of the Islamic World; 1999.
- Kalan M. İnsan Mizaçları ve Sağlıklı Beslenme (Human Temperaments and Healthy Nutrition). Istanbul: Traditional Medicine Publications; 2023.
- Hakimi A, Shirazi M. Tabaye va Mizajha. Tehran: Nashr-e Oloum-e Sonati; 2020.
- Mojahedi M, et al. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014;16(3):e15924.
- Ahmer SM. Mizaj theory in Greco-Arab medicine. Anc Sci Life. 2015.
- Roshandel HS. Facial characteristics and Mizaj. 2022.
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This article is for information only and is based on traditional medical sources and general health knowledge. It is not a medical diagnosis, treatment or prescription and does not replace an examination by a doctor. If you have a health complaint, take regular medication, are pregnant, or are considering this for a child, consult your doctor before applying anything. Herbal products can interact with medicines.
