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Have you ever found yourself seeing a playful animal in the clouds or a familiar face in the swirls of your coffee? Well, you're not alone. If you see faces and shapes in everyday objects, then it means you have experienced a phenomenon called pareidolia.

For some people, the ordinary things in life transform into the extraordinary with a dash of imagination. Join us as we delve into these quirky, imaginative sights from around the globe. From bags resembling frogs to curvy carrots, the Bored Panda team has compiled some of the most beautiful examples of pareidolia. Pandas, get ready to see the world through a whole new set of eyes!

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    #3

    Murmuration Of Starlings Portraying A Horse While Horses Gallop In The Background

    Murmuration Of Starlings Portraying A Horse While Horses Gallop In The Background

    Fun_Buyer9711 Report

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    Speak easy buttercup
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes!! They actually have the ability to do this! I've seen videos of it! It's actually really really cool!

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    David
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Images aside, starling murmurations are kind of mesmerizing to watch.

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    A person experiencing pareidolia sees something meaningful in random everyday objects. Our visual system is hardwired to search for faces quickly; hence, it sometimes activates even if there isn’t any real face.

    In a 2020 study published in the journal Psychological Science, the authors mentioned, “The human brain has evolved to rapidly detect the presence of other people in our environment and to make inferences about qualities such as their personal identity, emotional state, and direction of attention on the basis of specific sensory cues.”

    #4

    I Saw This Face On An Iceberg In Antarctica. Thought It Was Pretty Cool

    I Saw This Face On An Iceberg In Antarctica. Thought It Was Pretty Cool

    strummingmusic , strummingmusic Report

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    #6

    Guinea Pig's Muzzle Looks Like A Mandrill’s Face

    Guinea Pig's Muzzle Looks Like A Mandrill’s Face

    njeshizzle87 Report

    To put it simply, pareidolia happens when our brain tries to make sense of the world by finding familiar faces or patterns, even where they don't actually exist.

    Imagine walking along a dimly lit street late at night, and you notice a figure standing under the streetlamp. Instantly, your mind would start to assess their posture and facial expressions. Based on these sensory cues, one could infer that there is a person over there. However, when you go closer, you realize that it is nothing more than just a shadow made by a tree branch.

    #8

    Today, My Lava Lamp Threw Me The Peace Sign

    Today, My Lava Lamp Threw Me The Peace Sign

    no_kittens_here Report

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    Instances of Pareidolia go back many years. In 1976, a space celebrity was born when a scenic view of Mars was captured from orbit by NASA's Viking 1 mission. During a press release back then, NASA said the formation "resembles a human head." In the picture, there was a standout surface element that looked a lot like a face.

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    Later, NASA explained how some data had gone missing when the spacecraft transmitted the image to Earth. They mentioned, “Bit errors comprise part of one of the 'eyes' and 'nostrils' on the eroded rock that resembles a human face near the center of the image. Shadows in the rock formation give the illusion of a nose and mouth.”

    #12

    I Was At The Beach And Found A Shell With Barnacles On It That Makes It Look Like An Anatomically Correct Heart

    I Was At The Beach And Found A Shell With Barnacles On It That Makes It Look Like An Anatomically Correct Heart

    Cascading-hearts98 Report

    Another picture released by NASA that gained attention within days after being taken by the Chandra X-ray Observatory shows a spinning neutron star surrounded by a cloud of energetic particles about 17,000 light years away from earth. When the photo was released in 2009, many people saw a hand-like structure in the X-ray emission.

    #13

    Be Careful Of What You Whisper In The Forest, Because Trees Have Ears

    Be Careful Of What You Whisper In The Forest, Because Trees Have Ears

    AMTHEGREATEST Report

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    Mark (it/urgh)
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They call them jelly ears for a reason. They also call them something else but considering the current climate; I won't divulge the alternative name.

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    People have noticed pareidolia even on banknotes due to the intricate engravings and printing designs. One example is the 1954 Canadian dollar bill series, which was known for the "Devil's Head" variety among collectors.

    On the front of these notes, patterns in Queen Elizabeth II's hair looked like a grinning face. This got so much attention that the design was modified in 1956 so that it did not have this effect anymore.

    #16

    This Tree I Found Hiking Looks Like A Forest Monster Watching Over You

    This Tree I Found Hiking Looks Like A Forest Monster Watching Over You

    Glit-toris Report

    #17

    The Spirit Of A Dog Reincarnated As A Door

    The Spirit Of A Dog Reincarnated As A Door

    reddit.com Report

    Renaissance painters and illustrators often employed pareidolia.

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    According to his writings, Leonardo da Vinci described pareidolia as something that could be useful to artists. He noted, “If you look at any walls spotted with various stains or with a mixture of different kinds of stones, if you are about to invent some scene, you will be able to see in them a resemblance to various different landscapes adorned with mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, plains, wide valleys, and various groups of hills. You will also be able to see diverse combats and figures in quick movement, strange expressions of faces, outlandish costumes, and an infinite number of things, which you can then reduce into separate and well-conceived forms.”

    #19

    Nobody Knew How Happy These Tires Were Until It Snowed

    Nobody Knew How Happy These Tires Were Until It Snowed

    NeoFury84 Report

    #20

    Eye In A Wood

    Eye In A Wood

    TheLastTsumami Report

    Pareidolia objects are quite popular in online marketplaces and attract collectors and enthusiasts who are fascinated by these unintended visual effects. For instance, a chicken nugget that looked like President George W. Bush sparked a bidding war on eBay in 2012.

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    After the auction featuring more than 70 offers, the presidential poultry was ultimately sold for an astounding £5,000 (approximately $6,479 today).

    #22

    I Think This Rock Looks Like A Bear Every Time I Walk By It And I Finally Stopped To Take A Picture

    I Think This Rock Looks Like A Bear Every Time I Walk By It And I Finally Stopped To Take A Picture

    facesintrees Report

    #23

    Somehow The Shaving Cream On My Razor Blade Formed Into The Shape Of A Cat

    Somehow The Shaving Cream On My Razor Blade Formed Into The Shape Of A Cat

    sepha-kay Report

    #24

    Ever Had A Lemon Take A Bite Out Of You?

    Ever Had A Lemon Take A Bite Out Of You?

    imgur.com Report

    Diana Duyser, from the US, put a grilled cheese sandwich up for auction on eBay in 2004. The sandwich, which she claimed bore the image of the Virgin Mary, garnered 1.7 million hits. It eventually sold for a whopping $28,000.

    #26

    The Marbling On This Cake Looks Like A Skunk

    The Marbling On This Cake Looks Like A Skunk

    creamportion Report

    #27

    The Trees Cast A Shadow That Look Like An Artistic Portrait

    The Trees Cast A Shadow That Look Like An Artistic Portrait

    lifesnotperfect Report

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    Pareidolia objects are not only entertaining but can also help you earn a quick buck. Which one of these photos left you mesmerized? Have you ever noticed a face on some unusual object? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

    #31

    A Bit Of Toothpaste That Looks Like A Baby Monkey Holding Onto My Toothbrush

    A Bit Of Toothpaste That Looks Like A Baby Monkey Holding Onto My Toothbrush

    SkyKing015 Report

    #32

    Tell Me This Doesn't Look Like Little Screaming Skulls

    Tell Me This Doesn't Look Like Little Screaming Skulls

    RunZWithTreeZ Report

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    Malakai
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    snapdragon! very well known for this, actually! it's blooms are beautiful when healthy and in bloom

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    #33

    It Feels Like He’s Going To Give Me A Quest

    It Feels Like He’s Going To Give Me A Quest

    8_Hoot Report

    #34

    I Was About To Bite Into This, And Then I Saw It

    I Was About To Bite Into This, And Then I Saw It

    Foleymatt Report

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    Sandy D
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I'd break that part off to inspect before eating, just in case a mo7se or rat somehow got in the batter and got baked in

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    #35

    The "Scream" On The Wings Of A Butterfly In India

    The "Scream" On The Wings Of A Butterfly In India

    qazdrtgbjiol Report

    #36

    This Smoke Cloud Looks Like A Bear Holding A Flower

    This Smoke Cloud Looks Like A Bear Holding A Flower

    SirSoliloquy Report

    #37

    Creepy Skull In A Tree

    Creepy Skull In A Tree

    thaootino Report

    #38

    I Spilled My Coffee And Accidentally Created An Art

    I Spilled My Coffee And Accidentally Created An Art

    fyflate89 Report

    #39

    My Trousers Caused My Heart To Stop

    My Trousers Caused My Heart To Stop

    GFSaint Report

    #40

    The Embers Of My Bonfire Look Like The Eye Of Sauron

    The Embers Of My Bonfire Look Like The Eye Of Sauron

    goldiwak Report

    #41

    The Shadow Of This Banana Looks Like A Woman With Long Hair

    The Shadow Of This Banana Looks Like A Woman With Long Hair

    Stock-Airline3440 Report

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    Kayleigh haigh
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shes got a arm outstreched and another at the side she is serenading the plug sockets and they are in awe of her

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    #42

    My Mom Found A Flamingo In Her Bell Pepper

    My Mom Found A Flamingo In Her Bell Pepper

    dd12939 Report

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    #44

    There's A Face On My Dog. Looks Like An Old Wizard

    There's A Face On My Dog. Looks Like An Old Wizard

    JeannetheGenie Report

    #47

    My Shaving Gel Looks Like A Little Chicken

    My Shaving Gel Looks Like A Little Chicken

    DetailFactory Report

    #48

    My Girlfriend Found This Rock That Resembles Me

    My Girlfriend Found This Rock That Resembles Me

    BoarderGod Report

    #49

    I Was Putting Together A Turkey Sandwich When I Noticed Something Interesting

    I Was Putting Together A Turkey Sandwich When I Noticed Something Interesting

    Rononator Report

    #50

    My Egg Cooked In The Shape Of A Chicken

    My Egg Cooked In The Shape Of A Chicken

    48north Report

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    #51

    This Shadow Of A Man In My Bathroom Is Made Of Tissue

    This Shadow Of A Man In My Bathroom Is Made Of Tissue

    whatsthegoods Report

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    Jessica Scott
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Move the tissue and see if it's still a "shadow". I'm calling ghost.

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    #53

    My Brother's Cactus Grew To Look Like A Deer

    My Brother's Cactus Grew To Look Like A Deer

    maisy-daisy17 Report

    #54

    This Cow In My Basement's Wood Paneling

    This Cow In My Basement's Wood Paneling

    jxe22 Report

    #55

    This Tree Looks Like A Man Waiting To Cross The Road

    This Tree Looks Like A Man Waiting To Cross The Road

    awdouglas Report

    #57

    Dead Moth In My Girlfriend's Car Looks Like A Barn Owl

    Dead Moth In My Girlfriend's Car Looks Like A Barn Owl

    frederson8 Report

    #58

    One Of The Eggs I Poached This Morning Came Out Looking Like A Human Heart

    One Of The Eggs I Poached This Morning Came Out Looking Like A Human Heart

    chicken_statue Report

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    kelsischloe1986
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see a strawberry more than a heart. No chambers at the top just one stem. Def looks like a strawberry to me.

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    #59

    I Came Across This Tree That Looked Like A Woman With Her Arms Raised Above Her Head

    I Came Across This Tree That Looked Like A Woman With Her Arms Raised Above Her Head

    Apprehensive_Arm_330 Report

    #62

    Every Morning At Around 11, Windowman Shows Up And Scares Me. This Is My Neighbor's Chimney

    Every Morning At Around 11, Windowman Shows Up And Scares Me. This Is My Neighbor's Chimney

    audiocranium Report

    #65

    Bird Pooped On My Windshield… Left A Self-Portrait

    Bird Pooped On My Windshield… Left A Self-Portrait

    Adam_46 Report

    #66

    This Cloud Resembles A Man Smoking

    This Cloud Resembles A Man Smoking

    marvii Report

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    #67

    Tiny Natural Geodes Shaped Like Footprints

    Tiny Natural Geodes Shaped Like Footprints

    reddy_freddy_ Report

    #69

    The Spilled Beer Looks Like A Duck

    The Spilled Beer Looks Like A Duck

    terriblyunclever Report

    #70

    Pareidolia In The Sky

    Pareidolia In The Sky

    creepydotorg Report

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    #72

    The Sinking ship Looks Like A Giant Whale

    The Sinking ship Looks Like A Giant Whale

    imgur.com Report

    #73

    Giant Foliage Turkey

    Giant Foliage Turkey

    AyeYoPeat Report

    #74

    This Coffee Stain On My Counter Looks Like A Sloth

    This Coffee Stain On My Counter Looks Like A Sloth

    Cjacksoncnm Report

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    #75

    This Dinosaur Tree

    This Dinosaur Tree

    CSyoey Report

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    #76

    Bubbly Skull

    Bubbly Skull

    crazypnut68 Report

    #77

    My Mom Sent Me This Photo Tonight. A Face In Her Drink

    My Mom Sent Me This Photo Tonight. A Face In Her Drink

    imgur.com Report

    #78

    This Shadow In The Mountains Looks Like A Girl Reading

    This Shadow In The Mountains Looks Like A Girl Reading

    crowhurst Report

    #80

    My Hot Chocolate Left A Little Kitty Head On The Rim Of My Mug

    My Hot Chocolate Left A Little Kitty Head On The Rim Of My Mug

    striderberts Report

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    #83

    So I Was Walking In A Forest Near My City And Found This

    So I Was Walking In A Forest Near My City And Found This

    shahzebelahi Report

    #84

    This Tree Looks Like It Has A Baby Growing Out Of It. I Checked It And I'm Pretty Sure It's All Tree, No Doll

    This Tree Looks Like It Has A Baby Growing Out Of It. I Checked It And I'm Pretty Sure It's All Tree, No Doll

    gogingerpower Report

    #86

    This Furnace Looks Like An Easter Island Statue

    This Furnace Looks Like An Easter Island Statue

    Ok_Benefit2503 Report

    #87

    This Butterfly Orchid Flower With A Face On It

    This Butterfly Orchid Flower With A Face On It

    reddit.com , reddit.com Report

    #88

    Drain At Work Looks Like A Furby

    Drain At Work Looks Like A Furby

    plainwhitejoe Report

    #89

    A Cute Ghost In My Tea This Morning

    A Cute Ghost In My Tea This Morning

    allonsyalonsooo Report

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    #91

    I Spilled A Bit Of Coffee. Came Back Later To See It Looking At Me

    I Spilled A Bit Of Coffee. Came Back Later To See It Looking At Me

    worlds-worst-lurker Report

    #93

    I Saw This Reflection From A Urinal That Looked Like An Alien

    I Saw This Reflection From A Urinal That Looked Like An Alien

    qur3ishi Report

    #94

    The Roaring Bear Lightning

    The Roaring Bear Lightning

    fishnpoutine Report

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    #95

    This Picture My Dad Sent Me Of A Cloud That Looks Like A Shark

    This Picture My Dad Sent Me Of A Cloud That Looks Like A Shark

    sholbyy Report

    #96

    I Saw This Heart Puddle At Work

    I Saw This Heart Puddle At Work

    Vegetable_Access_164 Report

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    #97

    No One Likes Being Left Out In The Rain

    No One Likes Being Left Out In The Rain

    ll1037j Report

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    featherytoad
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cakes don't like it either, or the person that made it, because it took so long to bake it, and they will never have that recipe again.

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    #98

    These Barriers Look Like They Are In The Final Stages Of A Very Close-Foot Race

    These Barriers Look Like They Are In The Final Stages Of A Very Close-Foot Race

    g8rgood Report

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    #99

    The Hats On This Hatrack Cast A Shadow In The Shape Of A Face

    The Hats On This Hatrack Cast A Shadow In The Shape Of A Face

    IJustMovedIn Report

    #100

    Shadow Cast By My Lamp Looks Like A Happy Spider With A Ball

    Shadow Cast By My Lamp Looks Like A Happy Spider With A Ball

    composerken Report

    #101

    I Flew Over Some Lakes That Looked Like A Man Walking His Llama

    I Flew Over Some Lakes That Looked Like A Man Walking His Llama

    StepWeiwu Report

    #102

    Looks Like The Michael Myer's Mask To Me

    Looks Like The Michael Myer's Mask To Me

    RRR-Craigyroo Report

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    Mark (it/urgh)
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aaaah it's the robot off that Queen album, the one that scares Stewie.

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    #103

    This Rock Either Looks Like A Decapitated Dragon's Head Or A Snail

    This Rock Either Looks Like A Decapitated Dragon's Head Or A Snail

    esquared87 Report

    #104

    The Light Reflected A Baby's Head On The Door

    The Light Reflected A Baby's Head On The Door

    Nefarious-Say10 Report

    #105

    He's Unsure Of This Arrangement As Well

    He's Unsure Of This Arrangement As Well

    Pahvinaama Report

    #106

    My Pizza Is Looking Back

    My Pizza Is Looking Back

    Punkrexx Report

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    #107

    Keanu Reeves Popping Up In My Coffee This Morning

    Keanu Reeves Popping Up In My Coffee This Morning

    aussie17 Report

    #108

    This Apple Slice Looks Like An Elephant

    This Apple Slice Looks Like An Elephant

    xX1THICCBOIXx Report

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    #109

    The Shadow Of This Fire Hydrant Looks Like A Soldier Holding A Rifle

    The Shadow Of This Fire Hydrant Looks Like A Soldier Holding A Rifle

    HeyItsMeHammy Report

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    #110

    This Sad Tire

    This Sad Tire

    reddit.com Report

    #111

    Our Apple Cider Vinegar Looks Like A Dementor

    Our Apple Cider Vinegar Looks Like A Dementor

    robotduck7 Report

    #114

    Here Are Some Examples Of Pareidolia In Space

    Here Are Some Examples Of Pareidolia In Space

    NASA Report

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    Mimi La Souris
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ok for the bear and the x files photo :) but the top righ, i don' "see" anything

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    #115

    Fast Food Bag Stain Looks Like A Guy On The Toilet

    Fast Food Bag Stain Looks Like A Guy On The Toilet

    allthecoffeesDP Report

    #116

    That Looks Like A Crocodile Outside My Window

    That Looks Like A Crocodile Outside My Window

    rethink_and_change Report

    #117

    A Sad Old Man In The Creases Of My Cooler Bag

    A Sad Old Man In The Creases Of My Cooler Bag

    PerformerOpen5927 Report

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    Littlemiss
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I were a shopping bag, I too would contemplate my existence. Constantly being used and tossed around in the back of a car too