Rotating Horse Illusion

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The Rotating Horse Optical Illusion is a visual illusion in which a static image of a horse appears to be rotating on its own. The illusion was first created by Japanese psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka in 2003.

So, check out the illusion below and decide for yourself which way you think the horse is rating.

Afterwards, scroll down and learn more about how the illusion works.

Rotating Horse Illusion
Rotating Horse Illusion


Table of Contents

What is the Rotating Horse Illusion?

The Rotating Horse Illusion is a visual illusion in which a static image of a horse appears to be rotating on its own. The illusion was first created by Japanese psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka in 2003 and is similar to the Spinning Dancer illusion.

In the illusion, the horse appears to be standing on a checkered pattern background. However, the checkered pattern is not stationary; instead, it is made up of several diagonal lines that are slightly curved. When the image is viewed, the curved lines create an optical illusion that causes the horse to appear to be rotating clockwise or counterclockwise.

The illusion works because of the way our visual system processes and interprets information. The curved lines in the checkered pattern create an effect known as the “Pinna-Brelstaff illusion,” which tricks the brain into perceiving motion where there is none. This illusion is similar to the motion seen in a barber pole, where the stripes appear to be moving even though they are not.

The illusion is a popular example of a type of optical illusion known as a “peripheral drift illusion,” which creates the impression of motion by exploiting the way our eyes and brain process visual information. It is a fascinating example of how our brains can be tricked into seeing something that is not really there.

How does the Rotating Horse Illusion Work?

The Rotating Horse Illusion works by exploiting the way our visual system processes and interprets information. The illusion is created by combining a static image of a horse with a checkered pattern background that is composed of several diagonal lines that are slightly curved.

When we look at the image, our brain tries to make sense of the visual information by interpreting the patterns and colors that we see. However, the curved lines in the checkered pattern create an effect known as the “Pinna-Brelstaff illusion,” which tricks our brain into perceiving motion where there is none.

The Pinna-Brelstaff illusion occurs because the curved lines create a conflicting visual signal that our brain cannot easily resolve. The diagonal lines in the checkered pattern suggest motion in one direction, while the curvature of the lines suggests motion in another direction. As a result, our brain interprets the image as rotating in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, even though the image itself is static.

This illusion is similar to the motion seen in a barber pole or a zoetrope, where a series of static images creates the illusion of motion. In the case of the this Illusion, the static image of the horse combined with the curved lines in the checkered pattern creates an optical illusion that tricks our brain into perceiving motion where there is none.

Some Similar Illusions

There are many illusions that are similar to the Rotating Horse Illusion in that they exploit the way our visual system processes and interprets information to create the impression of motion. Some examples of similar illusions include:

  1. Pinwheel Illusion: In this illusion, a static image of a pinwheel appears to be rotating due to the arrangement of the spokes.
  2. Spinning Dancer Illusion: This illusion features a silhouette of a dancer that appears to be spinning either clockwise or counterclockwise.
  3. Motion Aftereffect Illusion: This illusion occurs when we stare at a moving object for a prolonged period and then look at a stationary object, which appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
  4. Wagon-Wheel Illusion: This illusion occurs when a spoked wheel appears to be rotating in the opposite direction of its actual motion due to the way the spokes are arranged.
  5. Peripheral Drift Illusion: This illusion features a static pattern that appears to be in motion due to the arrangement of the lines and shapes.

All of these illusions rely on the way our brain processes visual information and can be fascinating examples of how our perception of the world around us can be influenced and distorted by visual cues.

Discovery of the Rotating Horse Illusion

The Rotating Horse Illusion that is popularly known today was first created by Japanese psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka in 2003. Kitaoka is well-known for creating many optical illusions, and the Rotating Horse Illusion is one of his most famous works.


References and Resources

Check out our complete list of illusions.