Have you ever looked into the sky and noticed some familiar figures in a patch of clouds? Or maybe a face in a mud splatter on the side of your car? This phenomenon is called pareidolia and everyone experiences it from time to time. Experts say that this psychological phenomenon is a consequence of the brain’s information systems. It causes us to see patterns in otherwise random or inanimate objects.
Wherever you are, or whatever you’re doing, you can experience this phenomenon. But don’t let it shock you because this is a normal human tendency. Although it rarely happens, we tend to perceive specific images in random stimulus when we least expect it. It’s not often that you look at a slice of toast to find Jesus’ face on it. Or find a slice of banana bearing the face of your dog. Most of these occurrences are coincidental, indeed. This is why people make sure to snap some photos of it whenever they come across one.
Amazing Pareidolia – Dragon Tree
Human brains are able to construct these illusions because we are primed to see images in every corner of the visual world. This explains why we have a natural tendency to see faces where there are none. The word itself is derived from the Greek words para, meaning something faulty, and eidolon, meaning image. It often has religious undertones which explains why religious people and those who strongly believe in the supernatural are more likely to experience it.
“I thought that lady was a Muppet”
“When the dog looks like your slice of banana.”
“These Two Rocks Look Like A Mother Breastfeeding Her New Born Child”
Sometimes, artists take advantage of this phenomenon to embed hidden images in their works. This technique adds a bit of mystery to their artwork. In the field of psychology, the phenomenon is often used to gain insight into a person’s mental state.
“I Want To Believe”
“Let Us Out!”
“Pulled The Door Handle Off And He Was As Shocked As I Was.”
However, this phenomenon is not only limited to visual perception. There’s also auditory pareidolia where listeners are able to perceive hidden messages in popular music. Allegations of backmasking in popular music have stirred controversy in the past. One of the most controversial cases is the song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ by the Beatles. When you play the song backwards, you can hear the words ‘Paul is dead’ which sparked the infamous urban legend that Paul McCartney has already died and has been replaced by a lookalike.
Baked Potato
“Pigeon Poops Portrait Of Itself On A Leaf”
“There Is A Lion Wearing Sunglasses On The Belly Of This Grasshopper”
“A Cute Dog But Actually Just Rust”
“The Snow On Top Of This Mountain That Looks Like A Lizard”
“This Overflowing Cupcake Ended Up Looking Like An Elephant”
“I Found A Piece Of Driftwood That Looks Like A Dragon’s Head”
“This Boiled Egg Exploded While Cooking And Looks Like A Snail.”
“Looks Like There’s A Goddess In This Orange”
“I’m Flying!”
“My Car Seems Pretty Happy About The Snowstorm”
“What house would you belong to? I found this behind my office.”
“Bubbles That Form A Little Cat Shape”
Funny Pareidolia – T. Rex Cactus
“This Shadow Looks Exactly Like A Man’s Head. Lone Peak, Big Sky, Montana”
“I Wonder Which Song Was On”
“Dog Stick I Found”
“The Pattern On My Dog’s Chest Looks Like A Cat Mid Sneeze.”
“She’s Having Twins”
“This Orchid Really Looks Like An Eagle.”
“And that’s when I stopped washing my hands”
Alien Pickle
“My drink looks like a crocodile is looking at me.”
“The Ice In My Glass Sort Of Looks Like A Face”
“This Pure-Bread My Friend Got At A Restaurant”
“Found A Rock That Looks Like A Shark”
“Stupid Sexy Flanders”
“How Fast Was The Ostrich Running When It Hit The Tree?”
“The most terrifying half-tomato I’ve ever had.”
“An affectionate, but slightly nosey tin man comforts a disused industrial building…”
“I’m a happy li’l monitor stand, yup, yup, yup.”
“Waterfall of the Bride – Peru”
“Whatever This Chair Is Going Through, I Can Relate.”
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