• Home page/Blog
    • Ancient Greece
    • Archaeology
    • Mythology
    • Architecture
    • Artefact
    • Inventions
    • Tourism
    • News
    • Science
    • General
    • Weird
    • Recipes
    • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
Menu

GHD

  • Home page/Blog
  • History
    • Ancient Greece
    • Archaeology
    • Mythology
  • Art
    • Architecture
    • Artefact
    • Inventions
  • Travel
    • Tourism
  • Other
    • News
    • Science
    • General
    • Weird
    • Recipes
    • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
The left foot of the West Caryatid, Amphipolis tomb, Macedonia, Greece.

The left foot of the West Caryatid, Amphipolis tomb, Macedonia, Greece.

The "Greek toe" of the Caryatids: Can your feet reveal your Greek ancestry?

December 12, 2020

If you’ve got a long second digit on your foot, then you have Greek feet, but that is linked to a genetic trait, not Greek ancestry.

If you’ve ever had the chance to check out a famous Greek statue, you might have noticed their toes. They have Greek foot, also known as “flame foot”, where the second toe is longer than the rest. One study on the incidence of the Greek type of foot shows that it’s a common trait in the Greek population.

Your-Foot-Shape-and-Your-Genealogy-chart.jpg


But it’s also an ideological geometric concept, and is one the Ancient Greeks used in their Architectural design, art, and even finances. In medical terms, however, this orthopaedic attribute is also known as Morton’s toe.

Greek Hellenistic Bronze statue of boxer at rest | © Joseph Uj/Flickr

Greek Hellenistic Bronze statue of boxer at rest | © Joseph Uj/Flickr

This foot shape and elongated second toe may cause aches because it affects how weight is distributed across the foot, but it may also confer an athletic advantage based on a 2004 study, which showed it to be more common in professional athletes.

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

Illustration by Diego Sabogal

Research into toe length genetics shows that Greek foot is an X-linked recessive trait, meaning the gene which is responsible for this trait is found on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes while males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.

Although there is conflicting evidence stating the prevalence of Greek foot (anywhere between 5–30%), it’s widely agreed that it is an inherited trait. It’s even found in indigenous populations as far spread as the Ainu of Japan. It’s also very similar to Celtic foot.

In Science
← Iniochos (Charioteer of Delphi): The eyes that magnetize everyone who looks at themDid the Trojan War actually happen? →
Featured
image_2025-07-02_024951715.png
Jul 1, 2025
The Billionaire Greek-American from the Peloponnese Who Made a Fortune Buying “Dead” Businesses
Jul 1, 2025
Jul 1, 2025
image_2025-07-02_024426990.png
Jul 1, 2025
This Is Now Officially the Tallest Building in Greece—Standing at 113 Meters
Jul 1, 2025
Jul 1, 2025
image_2025-07-02_024251855.png
Jul 1, 2025
The Real-Life “Super Mario” Is in Crete: A Mustachioed Plumber in Costume Goes Viral for Making… Crêpes
Jul 1, 2025
Jul 1, 2025
image_2025-06-23_212659851.png
Jun 23, 2025
€20 “Landing Fee” for Cruise Passengers Disembarking in Mykonos and Santorini
Jun 23, 2025
Jun 23, 2025
image_2025-06-23_211802644.png
Jun 23, 2025
Hagia Sophia Without Minarets: A Rare Greek Banknote from 1923
Jun 23, 2025
Jun 23, 2025
image_2025-06-23_210956548.png
Jun 23, 2025
A €3 Ticket, €10 Meal: The Hidden Island Gem for Carefree, Budget-Friendly Holidays
Jun 23, 2025
Jun 23, 2025
image_2025-06-21_030119804.png
Jun 20, 2025
Ancient Greece: Feta — The World’s Oldest Cheese, Proven by Homer’s Odyssey
Jun 20, 2025
Jun 20, 2025
image_2025-06-21_025338077.png
Jun 20, 2025
Greece’s Very Own “Mostar”: The Most Beautiful Village in Zagori, Split in Half by a River
Jun 20, 2025
Jun 20, 2025
SEE MORE

Powered by ©GreeceHighDefinition / Privacy Policy