Violet eyes sound like something from a fantasy novel. But are violet eyes possible in our own world? Many people believe they have spotted them, especially in images of legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor.
She was stunning. But what people actually paid attention to was her unusual eye color. Some believe she had naturally purple-coloured eyes. Others believe it was makeup and lighting. The mystery remains.
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind eye color. We’ll look closely at Elizabeth Taylor’s purple eyes and find out if naturally violet colored eyes truly exist. We’ll also explore why purple eyes continue to fascinate us.
Whether you’re a fan of rare eye colors or just curious about the truth, this article will uncover it all. Let’s separate fact from fiction and finally answer the big question: Are violet eyes real?
The Science of Eye Color
Eye colour is hereditary and is determined by the amount of melanin present. Melanin is a pigment in the iris. It controls how light or dark your eye color will be. The most melanin is present in brown eyes. The least amount is present in blue eyes.
Light scattering is also present. This is known as the Rayleigh scattering effect. That is why the sky is blue. When light scatters in blue or green eyes, it influences the way we see the color.
There are only five root eye colors: brown, blue, green, hazel and gray. But they occur in different shades. Some people also have amber, golden or silver-brown eyes. These are not typical, but they exist.
What about natural violet eyes or
These do not appear on standard eye color charts. There is no known gene that generates purple pigmentation in the iris.
Certain rare conditions, including albinism, can cause very light eyes. In some lighting, the eyes can actually appear violet. This is because of how light passes through the iris and reflects. The blood vessels of the eye can also affect color seen.
So, though violet eyes can occur in some lighting, there is no natural eye color that is literally purple.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Ironic Eyes: Fact vs. Fiction
Elizabeth Taylor was one of the beautiful women in the world. She starred in iconic films like Cleopatra and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Perhaps her most iconic feature, though, was her eyes.
Many claim she had natural violet eyes. Photos and movies seem to support this fact. Her eye did seem deep, dramatic, and yes, purple.
But were Elizabeth Taylor’s purple eyes actually natural?
In fact, Elizabeth Taylor had deep blue eyes. Why they looked violet was owing to a combination of things. Lighting, clothing, and makeup all played their part.
Taylor used to wear lavender or purple gowns. This highlighted the violet eye-colours in her blue eyes. Colored eyeshadow and eyeliner, which she also used, enhanced the effect.
The 1950s and 60s were the times when movies were filmed in Technicolor. This process made the objects appear on screen more vivid and darker. Therefore, her eyes looked even more violet than in real life on the screen.
Another startling revelation? Elizabeth Taylor had a genetic flaw called distichiasis. This caused an extra row of eyelashes. It darkened, deepened, and dramatized her eyes. Combined with her eye color, it helped the “violet” effect.
Makeup artists and photographers maximized the purple effect. They used soft filters, shadows, and highlights to enhance those legendary shades.
So, did Elizabeth Taylor have naturally violet-coloured eyes? No. But her very blue-coloured eyes, given the right lighting, typically appeared violet to the viewer.
That illusion became part of her legend. But purple eyes are very unusual and fascinating. And even by reason of this, there are still people who believe in them.
Are Violet Eyes Real
So, are violet eyes true in nature?
The short answer is: not quite.
There aren’t any human genes that create naturally purple eyes. Eye color is determined by the amount of melanin and the colour it produces in the iris. Purple melanin does not exist. Natural violet eyes, thus, don’t exist like blue or brown eyes do.
But the eyes of some people may appear violet under certain conditions. People with very light blue eyes may seem to have purple eyes in certain lighting. Eyeshadow, background colors, and clothes also influence what eyes appear.
Some individuals who have albinism will seem to have naturally purple eyes. Because their eyes lack pigmentation, the light curves differently. Sometimes, the blood vessels that are behind the eye will show up. It causes the eyes to have a red, pink, or even violet color.
There is also an online urban legend called Alexandria’s Genesis. It declares that there are people born with purple eyes and flawless health and longevity. This has been disproved. It is not known to science or medicine.
Thus, while naturally violet colored eyes may seem real in photographs or film, they are not a natural genetic trait. They are a result of lighting, perception, and occasionally disease.
But the purple eyes are very unusual and fascinating. And even by reason of this, there are still people who believe in them.
Why Violet Eyes Captivate Us
This is because they are rare. What we do not usually see, we are curious about. It seems that violet eyes are magical. They remind us of fairy tales and the’ beauty.
In books and movies, individuals with naturally purple eyes have superlative skills. They are heroes, witches, queens, or supernatural beings. This gives purple eyes some mythological validity.
Elizabeth Taylor was responsible for that mythology. Her appearance, talent, and fame made her violet eyes unforgettable. They were part of her persona, although the color was not entirely natural.
Even today, people try to emulate that look. Colored contact lenses are capable of making anyone have naturally violet colored eyes. Fashion and cosplay have embraced this color as well.
In the end, violet eyes remind us that beauty is not always in biology. Sometimes, it is perception, feeling, and a pinch of magic.
Conclusion
So, are violet eyes real?
Not genetically. There are no naturally occurring purple eyes in the human population. However, with appropriate light, blue eyes can appear violet.
Elizabeth Taylor did not have violet eyes. And yet the illusion was great and long-lasting.
Natural violet eyes are more about mystery and beauty than biology. They live on screen, in memory, and in imagination.
