If you've ever stared into a celebrity's eyes and felt something off, maybe even a little haunted, you might've been gazing into the curious world of Sanpaku eyes. It's the eerie, fascinating trait that links a seemingly unrelated mix of icons such as Princess Diana, Billie Eilish, Michael Jackson, and Lily-Rose Depp.
So, what exactly is it, and why are so many mysterious, talented, and sometimes tragic figures connected to it?
© Petros Studio LandscapeWhat Are Sanpaku Eyes?
"Sanpaku" (三白眼) is a Japanese term that means "three whites." It refers to eyes where the white space (sclera) is visible on three sides of the iris. There are two types: Yin Sanpaku, which is when the white is visible below the iris, and Yang Sanpaku, which appears above the iris.
Most people have some white on the left and right sides of their irises; that's normal. But when white creeps in above or below, that's when the Sanpaku signal flares.
Why Do People Care?
According to ancient Japanese face reading and a whole lot of modern conspiracy TikToks videos, Sanpaku eyes aren't just a physical quirk. They're a spiritual red flag, a cosmic indicator that someone is either deeply out of balance or touched by greatness.
The Famous Sanpaku Club
Let's break down the eye game of these four icons:
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetPrincess Diana
The People's Princess had that doe-eyed gaze we all remember, but look closely, and you'll often see the whites under her irises. Diana's Yin Sanpaku eyes were part of what made her look so emotive, so open, and, according to lore, so vulnerable. She was adored, yet tragically hounded by the media and plagued by personal battles. Her life ended suddenly and heartbreakingly, fitting the Sanpaku pattern eerily well.
© FilmMagicBillie Eilish
Billie Eilish has made a whole career off of eerie, otherworldly energy. Her gaze is unmistakably Sanpaku. Those heavy-lidded eyes, often with the whites peeking underneath, give her a hypnotic, melancholic vibe that perfectly matches her music. Billie has openly discussed struggles with mental health and fame.
© WireImageMichael Jackson
When you look back at MJ in his later years, his once wide-eyed expression evolved into something more haunted, distant, and Sanpaku. Jackson's life was a study in extremes: immense talent, global fame, and public scrutiny beyond reason.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesLily-Rose Depp
With her ethereal beauty and quiet, mysterious aura, Lily-Rose has that Sanpaku softness, too. Her eyes, often visible with whites below, lend her an otherworldly, fragile look. She moves through the spotlight with an air of distance, like she's in it but not of it. This fits the Sanpaku archetype: beauty marked by subtle sadness.
Coincidence or a Cosmic Clue?
Is Sanpaku just another celebrity myth? Maybe. But there's something undeniably magnetic and a little chilling about how many high-profile figures share this trait.
Sanpaku eyes aren't a medical diagnosis or a horoscope. But they are an uncanny pattern, one that threads together some of the most captivating (and sometimes tormented) figures in modern culture.
