We are all familiar with the term 'optical illusion' and most of us have probably seen many examples of this phenomenon.
But what are optical illusions and how do they work?
Below is the short answer:
"An optical illusion occurs because the different cells and receptors of the eye perceive images and colors at different rates, which sometimes result in a false image being relayed to the brain.
The brain receives information from receptors in the eye, but in actuality, the eye only perceives a certain quantity of visual information at any given time, while our brain continuously decodes, constructs and reconstructs visual information, giving us the illusion of continuous sight.
The right combination of colors, shapes, spatial relations, and other stimuli viewed by the eyes and reported to the brain during the relays of information can achieve the effect of an optical illusion."
So now that we all know what they are and how they work I would like to show you my list of 20 mind boggling examples of this 'brain trickery' in action.
Parrallel Lines?
They look crooked but are in fact parrallel straight lines.
The hole from nowhere
The four shapes in each diagram are exactly the same so where does the hole come from?
The bulging circle
There are a number of illusions happening here. Firstly the circle seems to be expanding while the squares seem to be moving inwards but it is a static image! Also the bulging circle is an illusion, all the columns are perfectly straight.
Up or down, above or below?
Lots of visual trickery going on here.
Moving beans
The brown shapes appear to be moving but the picture is a single static image.
Say the colours
Look at the image below and try to quickly say the COLOUR of each word, not the word itself.
Causeway or Sailing Ships?
Rotating boxes
These boxes seem to be rotating but again this is a static image.
Same size circles
These two orange circles appear to be different sizes but they are exactly the same.
Distorted circle
The blue and yellow circle appears to be narrower on one side, but which side? It is in fact the same width all the way around and it is a static image even though it seems to be moving.
Two horses
One horse in this image appears to be darker than the other when in fact they are both exactly the same colour and density. They really are!
Count the black dots
There are actually no black or grey dots in this picture, it is your brain being fooled once again.
Concentric circles
These two coloured circles appear to be distorted and the big one looks to be moving outward while the small one looks to be moving inward. They are neither distorted nor moving!
Grey squares
Believe it or not the grey squares 'A' and 'B' are exactly the same shade of grey.
Wavy square
The big square made from the smaller white and red squares appears to be curved and undulating when in reality it is perfectly square.
Blue squares
Again, these three blue squares all appear to be distorted but they are not.
Expanding reality
This is another static image that appears to be moving. In this one the boxes look to be coming towards you. Very hypnotic.
Impossible triangle
This triangle cannot exist in real space.
Corridor Illusion
This is a classic illusion where the subject in front looks smaller than the subject at the back but they are both exactly the same size.
Psychadelic patterns
This will either hypnotise you or give you a headache if you stare at it for too long. Again, nothing is actually moving in this image.
I hope you enjoyed these amazing illusions and remember, reality is just a construct that our brain creates from the information it receives from our senses. Which, if you really start to think about, makes our world seem a lot less 'real' than we assume.