Eyelid Shape of the Chosun Dynasty: Analysis of 101 Portraits

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to elucidate the morphology and preference of the eyelid shape of the Chosun dynasty. One hundred and one portraits of Chosun dynasty were analyzed. Portraits of early(1392-1550), mid(1551-1700), and late (1701-1910) Chosun dynasty were 26, 17 and 58 respectively. The most of the portraits were men of noble birth(86). Others were the portraits of the Kings(4) and Monks(4), Women(4) and patriots(4).The double fold were observed in 20%, among them 65% were outfold. Epicanthal fold were present in 16% Thirty-one% had hooding of the upper eyelid. Sixty nine% had Wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Sixty three had baggy lower eyelid and lower lid ectropion were observed in 6% and 1% respectively. According to the Korean aphorism of the portrait drawing of Chosun dynasty "If one hair is different, the portrait is another man's", the portraits were drawn like a photograph. In this aspect our attempt to light up the eyelid shape of several hundreds years ago when photographs were not available have validity.