Despite of many years of research the human brain still has a lot of mysteries that are yet to be uncovered. The way our brain perceives reality is a subject that was debated for a long time and the answers are still pretty vague. Although it might be tempting to believe that what we see and what our minds perceives is identical some of the following optical illusions might make us change our mind. A first example is the default picture where it might seem that there are two triangles but in fact only one triangle was drawn. This illusion is known as the Kanizsa Triangle. Here are some other intriguing optical illusions:
Fraser Spiral Illusion
This famous illusion is known as the twisted cord or false spiral illusion. The contrasts in this picture give the impression of a spiral however, this ''spiral'' is actually a simple series of concentric circles that has the power to trick our brain due to the contrasts formed.
The moving image illusion
Sometimes the contrasting colors and the placement of a certain elements can trick our brain into thinking that some images are moving when in fact they are static. This is exactly the case with the following image.
Another classical optical illusion is the cafe wall, which was first discovered by doctor Richard Gregory. In this illusion although the lines appear to be bent they are actually perfectly straight and actually parallel. Just take a closer look at the picture and you'll immediately see this.
The Hermann Grind
This illusion first discovered in 1870 is characterized by the “ghostlike” intermittent appearance of lightly colored gray dots that seem to connect the white surfaces and the black background. However, once we take a closer look the dots “magically” disappear. This illusion can be explained by a dissonance that takes place in the receptive field of the brain.
Nowadays there are a multitude of illusions based on this concept. Photographic ambiguity tests your imagination as well as your observational skills by placing different images that can be perceived by looking from different angles. Can you spot both the young lady and the older one?
Having trouble figuring this one out? here's a little clue to make things easier: the chin of the young lady actually forms the nose of the old lady.
If this one seemed way too obvious for you here's something a little more challenging that will really test your observational skills. Can you find the hidden tiger in this picture?
This painting is might seem like nothing more than a wonderful landscape painting but the this apparently ordinary nature representation holds many secrets that cannot be uncovered at a superficial glance.
In fact the picture has a multitude of hidden portraits all over if you just know how to look. While most people claim that there are 13 faces some claim they have found over 21! How many can you spot?