Optical Illusions That Can Reveal People's True Character

If you see a landscape, good for you! That means you have plenty of get-up-and-go. You live life in the moment and are up for new adventures. And routine is probably a total bummer. Instead, you like to mix up your activities so that you never do the same thing two days in a row. But some people see something else entirely...

There’s also a face hidden in this image. Can you see it? It’s looking toward the bottom of the frame. If that’s the most obvious thing about the illustration to you, then you like to be organized. Yes, you’re a stickler for planning, and knowing exactly what you’ll be doing tomorrow and beyond gives you a sense of security.

This illusion identifies which part of your brain is dominant. If the animal you see in the illustration is a squirrel, then it’s said that you’re a logical thinker and great at analyzing things. That’s a sign of the left hemisphere of your brain being the one that does a lot of the conscious work.

Conversely, if a duck pops out at you, then the right hemisphere of your brain is the one with the greatest influence. Your talents revolve around being creative and artistic rather than methodical and scientific. And don’t worry, as this doesn’t actually mean that one side of your brain is disconnected from the other.

Stare at this multi-faceted illusion for long enough, and it should reveal three distinct images. There’s a baby here, for instance, and seeing this vision first suggests you frequently love to carve out alone time – so don’t let people make you feel bad for not wanting to paint the town red.

There’s also a pair of lovers looking out over a bay beneath some trees. If you were immediately drawn to them, you’re more inclined to be loyal to a small group of friends and shy away from the commotion of crowds and big parties. But if the trees were the most prominent thing to you, then maybe you’re full of energy. You take life’s challenges in your stride, too, and live for variety.

What stood out to you first in this image? If all that you saw was the cliff, you probably have a positive outlook and so can tackle pretty much anything life throws at you. But maybe you saw the white cat curled up on the clifftop? That suggests you’re someone who dislikes change and prefers to keep their emotions in check. People can rely on any promises you make, though.

But if the first thing that jumped out at you was a face, then that’s a sign of creativity. You see opportunity all around you and are highly inquisitive. Learning more about the world is key for you, as is finding contentment. Maybe you’re also naturally intuitive with a fondness for literature, poetry, music and art.

What did you see first here? Well, if it was the maid cleaning the floor, it’s likely that you’re great at finding answers to tricky issues. That means friends often come to you for words of wisdom – and for good reason. If the face with a ruffled collar immediately struck you, on the other hand, then you probably march to the beat of your own drum, and that’s no bad thing. But finding the skulls first says that you’re fearless and a risk-taker.

If you saw the man in bed first, you may be a worrywart. Then there are the two knights. If you spotted them straight off the bat, then you probably depend on a strong support network. And while seeing the ballet dancers to begin with may mean you’re secretly a hopeless romantic, that’s not necessarily the case if you initially focused on the mustachioed man. Instead, you’re more likely to be a creative who looks at things as a whole. Finer details may flummox you.

What is it that you can see in this illustration? Perhaps a face is most prominent, and if that’s the case then you’re likely laid-back and approachable. People may feel comfortable unloading their problems on you, too, as you’re sympathetic and genuinely care.

But maybe that’s not what you spot at all. Instead, you may see a witch waving a wand at a figure kneeling before her. That means you’re ambitious in all your endeavors. Whatever the task at hand, you have to be better at it than anyone else. But while it’s good to have lofty aspirations, don’t let yourself burn out trying to achieve them.

Sometimes our eyes can play tricks on us. Take this illusion, for example. There’s something about the color and make-up of the bubbles here that may make it appear as if they’re moving. Well, don’t worry, you’re not going mad – not according to us, anyway.

There’s nothing wrong with your eyes, either, but just more going on in your brain. You see, noticing the bubbles whirling around suggests that you’re musically inclined. You may be a virtuoso or just have a good ear. Either way, you have a great sense of groove – and probably some nifty moves on the dancefloor.

This is one of the most famous optical illusions illusions in the world. Created in this form by William Ely Hill, it dates all the way back to the early 20th century, although it may have existed in other incarnations even before that. And research carried out by two professors of psychology suggests that people see different things in the picture depending on how old they are. Find out which one you see.

The illustration is called “My Wife and my Mother in Law,” and academics at Flinders University in Adelaide showed it to 393 people aged from 18 to 68. The study showed that the youngest 10 percent of participants saw a young woman peering over her right shoulder (shown in the left image). The eldest 10 percent, by contrast, saw an old woman looking toward the bottom left of the frame (shown in the right image). The young woman’s chin is the elderly lady’s nose. See it now?

Still not sure whether you’re an introvert or extrovert? Well, this illusion should clear things up. If the first thing you saw in this image was the saxophonist, then you’re an extrovert. That’s right: you love to socialize and often are the life and soul of any gathering. People fall over themselves to be buddies with you, in fact. But be careful not to burn out. Remember to rest once in a while to recharge your batteries.

If you initially spotted the outline of a face, by contrast, then you’re probably an introvert. Parties or crowds and excess noise can leave you feeling run-down both physically and emotionally. You’re more of a homebody, then, who doesn’t need to be told twice about burning the candle at both ends – well, unless you often stay up late binging your favorite shows.

Through sleep-heavy eyes, you pour yourself a morning cup of joe. Then after settling down at your desk for a morning’s work, you look down and realize you’re not alone. Staring up from inside your mug is an owl – yes, an owl. Most people spot this illusion straight away. And once you’ve seen it, it’s almost impossible to wake up and smell – or see – the coffee for what it really is. But why?

Well, as Vox reporter Brian Resnick puts it, “Our brains unconsciously bend our perception of reality to meet our desires or expectations. And they fill in gaps using our past experiences.” In other words, because your brain has seen lots of owls before, it’s relatively difficult to rewire how you perceive this photo. What may help, though, is knowing that someone apparently plopped two O-shaped potato chips into their mug to make this beautiful illusion. Does that change how you see it at all?

Notice the face of a beautiful woman? That also reveals something about your personality – and no, we’re not talking about being prone to a wandering eye. In this instance, seeing the woman in this image means that you’re generally tuned into your immediate environment. This helps make you a sound judge in many situations, and your gut reactions are usually spot on.

But what if you can only see flowers? Well, apparently, you like to leave the fast pace of everyday life behind and relax in nature. This doesn’t mean you normally take the world around you for granted, mind. And if you’re ever feeling a little frazzled, you now know just what you need to do.

Oleg Shuplyak, an architect by trade, likes to make mind-bending art that blends famous faces with more everyday imagery. And his work is said to reveal your least desirable characteristics. Take this portrait as an example. What jumps out at you first? If it’s Shakespeare, then apparently people are put off by your self-centeredness. Or did you spot the lady lying on the bed instead? Well, we have more bad news: your slapdash approach to life may be harming your romantic prospects.

If your eyes were immediately drawn to the man in a turban, though, that’s not much better, as it’s possible you’re the covetous type. Finally, if you spotted the rose on the floor, then your naive nature is potentially off-putting. That’s according to an analysis by website YourTango, not us – so please don’t shoot the messenger...

Normally, if you tell someone that you can see a big blue cat, they’ll probably offer you medication – or at the very least an eye examination. But if you spot a feline form in this image, it actually means that you’re a realist. You’re down to earth when it comes to life, and by seeing the bigger picture you’re able to better plot your way through.

If the mouse is most obvious to you, on the other hand, then you have an optimistic disposition and like to try and find the positives in any scenario. And while some may believe that you’re prone to flights of fancy, you’re still actually in tune with your surroundings. It’s just that you happen to always see the glass as half-full.

Can you see a woman peering out of a window in this image? If so, look out! This may mean that you’re unaware of impending dangers – even deadly ones. And though you’re occasionally impulsive, you also have a tendency to be gullible and trusting – sometimes to your detriment.

However, if the skull is more prominent to you, then you have a realistic approach to life. In fact, anyone who’s not close to you may perceive you as a cynic. That’s not quite true, as you have a pragmatic view of the world rather than a pessimistic one. You can also accept that nothing lasts forever.

Colors, too, can play a part in character analysis. Take this image as an example. Which shade is most prominent in your eyes – blue, yellow or turquoise? Well, yet again, your answer could give a surprising insight into your temperament. If yellow dominates for you, apparently you’re both easygoing and adaptable.

If you see a lot of turquoise, then The Wonder List claims you’re a restless risk-taker whose imagination fuels a creative streak. Those who mostly notice the deeper blue, on the other hand, are very analytical and have perfectionist tendencies. So which color calls to you?

If you still haven’t learned anything about yourself yet, perhaps this apocalyptic image will offer a clue. Or does it really show the end of the world? Well, if it’s an explosion you see, then you may be easily scared – especially of the unknown. You can be forgetful, too, and from time to time you may even be at war with yourself.

If you look more closely at the image, however, something emerges from the billowing smoke: a couple caught in a passionate embrace. And if that’s what stood out to you first, then, apparently, relationships are incredibly important to you. Family, friends and partners will always take priority in your life.

There are multiple perspectives to this illusion depending on whether you are a man or a woman. The Powerful Mind says, for instance, that women who see the man’s face first may either be looking for a passionate romance or are already closely bonded to a current partner. If they notice a woman’s face first, though, then they are likely to be mentally strong and self-assured.

Similarly, men who see the woman’s face to begin with may be on the lookout for a long-term partner with whom to settle down. If they spot the man’s face first, though, then they may have worries about bonding with other men – be it at work, among friends, or in social spaces.

At first glance, you may see three trees looming in front of a sunset in this illusion. And if that’s the case, then you’re incredibly perceptive – a trait that serves you well. You’re also easygoing to the point that you’re happy whiling away hours doing very little. But what if you actually spotted something else?

Maybe the first thing that sprang out at you was the face of a cat or tiger. This suggests there’s a certain single-mindedness to your nature – much like a big cat stalking their prey. Yes, seeing a predatory feline in this image likely means that you’re determined and tend to stick to any decisions you make.

For many folks, an image of a frog leaps out of this illustration – pun completely intended. What that says about them is that they are forthright and have a no-fluff approach to communicating with others. They’re seen as stable and self-assured, too. But what does it mean if you see a horse instead?

Well, if the illustration looks more equine to you, then you’re considered to be contemplative with a penetrating intellect. Not everything is necessarily as it first appears to you, and so you’re prone to looking for deeper meaning in things. You’re unlikely to be swayed by others’ opinions, either.

What is it that you see most clearly when you look at this image? If it’s zebras, then that suggests you love to be surrounded by people. You’re a bit of a chatterbox, too, and love a party where you can make new acquaintances. You may also prefer winging your way through situations rather than following any mundane routines.

But if a lion stands out, you prefer the quiet life. You’d rather spend time with a select few friends or one-on-one with a partner. And loading up on snacks while watching a movie at home is probably your idea of fun. Crowds of people just drain your energy, meaning you tend to avoid them at all costs.