Jin Zizai’s Fortune-Telling: Eyes That See into the Heart

Healthy relationships hinge on communication. No matter how advanced online tools become, they can’t replace face-to-face interaction. Some people feel awkward, nervous, or even panicked in person, while others are naturally eloquent. Drawing from traditional physiognomy, we’ve distilled a set of “Eye Characteristics” to help you quickly read someone during a first conversation by looking into their eyes.

First Type: Avoids Eye Contact - The Conservative Type

When talking, they avoid your gaze, and even a brief moment of eye contact makes them look away. These individuals are very private and may not present themselves as they truly are. For instance, someone who appears dignified in public may be quite different in private. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Everyone has different standards, and we shouldn’t judge others solely by our own moral compass. They aren’t frightening; past traumas may have made them more guarded and unwilling to share personal details. At the very least, they’re the conservative type: they don’t want to harm others and don’t want to be harmed.

Second Type: Piercing Gaze - The Aggressive Type

When they speak, they lock onto your eyes, sometimes with a hint of a sneer. This isn’t ordinary eye contact; it feels like a stare-down, which can be uncomfortable. Eyes should be expressive, gentle, and calm, not filled with malice. The harsher the gaze, the more toxic the intent behind it.

Even close relatives may find it hard to stay close to them over a lifetime. If you’re unsure how to recognize a kind gaze, observe the eyes of virtuous elders, such as Master Jingkong or Master Hsing Yun. Their gaze is soft and steady, projecting dignity without anger, authority without intimidation, a smile that isn’t frivolous, and sadness without despair. Their wisdom is subtle and calming. By contrast, a malicious gaze is hard to illustrate with examples.

Third Type: Excessive White - The Malicious Type

Excessive white in the eyes with insufficient black—commonly called “four whites”—was feared like a tiger in ancient times. It’s described as malicious because the intent behind it is seen as deliberate rather than accidental.

A word of caution: be wary of those wearing colored contact lenses, as they can obscure the natural color of the iris or alter its shape. Such individuals may act behind your back, fabricate stories, and cause harm. They may take your money and then turn around to frame you. Those who receive kindness may turn against their benefactor without mercy. Hence, they’re toxic.

Fourth Type: Red Veins in the Eyes - The Impulsive Type

Red veins are the visible blood vessels in the eyes. Even if they aren’t prominent, they still count—just to different degrees. People of this type often have bloodshot eyes, and ancient texts suggest they may resort to violence or theft when they feel wronged. Looked at more closely, they’re simply impulsive and prone to mistakes when angry. They’re generally harmless as long as you don’t become their enemy; with some empathy, they can even become friends.

Fifth Type: Yellowish Eyes - The Rational Type

The color of the iris matters; ideally, it should be quite dark, though pure black irises are rare. There are many shades, and a common one has a slight yellow tint. The more yellow the eyes, the more rational the person tends to be. Ancient wisdom says they recognize principle over kinship. Yellowish eyes suggest rationality, calm, focus, determination, and lower empathy. Put together, these traits mean they grow stronger under pressure and are likely to excel in their careers. So don’t offend them or make them your enemy; once determined, they won’t stop until they achieve their goals.

Sixth Type: Quivering Pupils - The Deceptive Type

The final type is characterized by quivering pupils. When they talk to you, their eyes visibly tremble, indicating they’re constantly calculating how to maximize their benefit. They won’t act until they can see results; they want every penny to yield a return. Avoid collaborating with such people—you won’t outsmart their cunning. They’ll retreat when there’s risk and seize opportunities for their own gain.