Iridology, also known as iris diagnosis, is an assessment tool used by natural therapists for centuries. Studying the patterns and colours of the iris may reveal valuable information about an individual's overall health. As we look into the origins of iridology, we uncover a rich and diverse history that spans hundreds of years.

The origins of iridology can be traced back to various ancient civilisations, including the Chinese, Egyptian, Indian and Greek cultures. However, it was a Hungarian physician by the name of Ignaz von Peczely (1822-1911) who is credited as the father of modern iridology. Legend has it that as a young boy, just 11 years old, Ignaz had captured an owl. The owls leg was broken accidentally and after the incident Ignaz noticed a distinct mark had appeared in the bird's eye.

This incident sparked his curiosity and made him wonder if the marking he saw in the owl’s eye had any correlation to its broken leg. It led him to believe that there might be a connection between the markings in the eye and the health of the individual.

Inspired by this observation, Ignaz dedicated his life to the study of iridology. He went on to become a medical doctor and was able to study the markings in his patients eyes in relation to their health conditions. In the 19th century, he developed an intricate map of the iris, mapping it into various zones corresponding to different parts of the body. He theorised that certain patterns, colours, and markings in the iris could provide valuable insights into an individual's genetic inheritance, predispositions to certain illnesses, and even past traumas. He created the first map of iridology by correlating markings in his patients’ eyes with their symptoms. As he continued to research he noted that some people had markings but did not have any of the symptoms he had already correlated to the marking. This troubled him, but he kept researching.

Iridology gained popularity in the early 20th century, thanks to the efforts of several European practitioners and researchers. Pastor Nils Liljequist (1851-1936), a Swedish iridologist, further refined Ignaz's work, through studying the irides of his parishioners. Liljequist developed a standardized iris chart, which is widely used by modern iridologists today. He also conducted extensive research, collecting and analysing thousands of iris photographs to validate the accuracy of iridology. He postulated that the eyes changed colour in response to some medications, and that the fibre structure and density of the iris, be it tight or loose, gave indications of how resilient or not a person’s health was.

Another pastor, Emmanuel Felke (1856-1926), in Kladen, Germany, studied both theology and medicine. He developed an iridology map and laid the framework outlining the Iridology constitutions.

Rudolph Schnabel (1882-1952) of Cologne, Germany, was one of the first iridologists to examine the iris using a microscope. His studies focused on iris pigmentation and pupil tonus. Of learning iridology, he said,

“It was no easy task and those who believe or would like to believe that handling iridoscopy [iridology] can be learned within a few weeks or even days are mistaken and do a disservice to a good cause.”

Two more German researchers, Joseph Angerer (1907-1994) and Joseph Deck (1914-1992), who collaborated together, moved iridology forward even further. Joseph Angerer, a student of Rudolph Schnabel, was a naturopath and taught both naturopathy and iridology. He had high standards, and knowing that many students were accepting everything they read as being accurate, he refused to publish any of his findings until they had been vetted by his professional peers.

Over time, iridology has evolved and expanded as more researchers and practitioners have contributed to its development. Notably, Bernard Jensen D.C., N.D., Ph.D., an American chiropractor, made significant contributions to the field in the mid-20th century. Jensen not only expanded on the mapping of the iris but also incorporated other diagnostic tools like blood tests and physical examinations to enhance the accuracy of iridological analyses. 𝘋𝘳 𝘑𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘴 - 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘝𝘰𝘭 1 (1952) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘰𝘭 2 (1982).

Constitutional Iridology started to come to life in North America in the late 1970s, thanks to Harri Wolfe and Bill Caradonna. Harri is an American-born German. Both Bill and Harri studied iridology with Jensen, but Harri also read an iridology text written by the German iridologist, Joseph Deck. He recognised that some of what he had learned from Jensen - such as healing fibres appear in irides as the body gets healthier - were not proven.

Harri and Bill started teaching this ‘new’ German iridology. They realised that with the wide array of iridology information - some accurate, some not - there needed to be a way to standardize teachings and qualifications. In answer to this, they created the National Iridology Research Association (now known as the International Iridology Practitioners Association, IIPA) and set standards for curriculum and the examination process. The designation of Comprehensive Iridologist signifies someone who has met the standards set forth by IIPA.

Research is still going on and iridology is still evolving!

Australian iridology researchers include Dorothy Hall, who was the first person to associate personality traits with iris markings, plus Henry Lahn, M.D., Henry Lindlahr, M.D., D.O. and more recently Toni Miller ND DHM MII CCII Fellow Ir. Toni has become Australia’s leading Iridology researcher and teacher and she continues to provide invaluable courses in this field of study. Toni studied with Bernard Jensen in 1984 and completed advanced studies in the Angerer philosophies with Robert Lucy (Australia). She produced the Integrated Iridology chart. This is the world’s first hybrid chart, combining European Iridology to the American model. She also founded the College of I.R.I.S. which remains the only college in the southern hemisphere specializing in Iridology education.

Advocates of iridology claim that the iris provides valuable insights into an individual's overall health and can act as an early warning system for potential imbalances in the body. By identifying these imbalances, individuals can make proactive lifestyle changes and seek appropriate treatment to prevent illnesses from manifesting.

In conclusion, the origins of iridology can be traced back to ancient civilizations. While Ignaz von Peczely is often credited as the father of modern iridology, many others have contributed to its development over the years. Iridology continues to resonate with those seeking alternative approaches to health and wellness. The beauty of iridology lies in its ability to inspire curiosity and encourage further exploration of the intricate connection between our eyes and our overall well-being.

Note: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

Origins of Iridology

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