Motion Illusions

These awesome Waving Squares Illusions by Akiyoshi Kitaoka use peripheral drift to create the perception that the shapes are moving in a wave pattern when they are completely static.

If you are interested in learning how the Waving Squares Illusion and peripheral drift work, scroll down to read more about it.

Table of Contents

• What is the Waving Squares Illusion?
• How does the Waving Squares Illusion work?
• Some Similar Illusions
• Discovery of the Waving Squares Illusion
• References and Resources

What is the Waving Squares Illusion?

The Waving Squares Illusion is an example of Peripheral drift which is a visual illusion that occurs when the edges of an object or pattern appear to be moving or vibrating, even though the object itself is stationary. This illusion is created by specific patterns that are designed to interact with the visual system in a way that produces the perception of movement.

The moving heart illusion is a powerful demonstration of the brain’s ability to create the perception of movement and change even when there is none. It is also an example of the types of visual illusions that can be used to study the ways that the brain processes visual information and creates our perception of the world around us.

The patterns used to create peripheral drift typically involve high-contrast black and white elements arranged in a circular or spiral pattern. When the pattern is viewed, the edges of the elements appear to be shifting or vibrating, which creates the illusion of movement. The effect is strongest when the pattern is viewed peripherally, meaning that it is viewed using the outer edges of the visual field rather than by looking directly at it.

Peripheral drift is a type of motion illusion, which means that it creates the perception of movement even though there is no actual motion involved. It is thought to be caused by the way that the visual system processes information about the edges and boundaries of objects. The illusion can be used in various contexts, including in art and design, and in the study of visual perception and cognition.

How does the Waving Squares Illusion Work?

The Waving Squares Illusion uses peripheral drift which is a visual illusion that occurs when a stationary pattern appears to be in motion or to be rotating when viewed peripherally. This phenomenon is caused by the way that our brains process information about visual stimuli in the periphery of our visual field.

When we look at an object directly, our eyes are able to focus on the details of the object and the brain processes this information in a relatively straightforward way. However, when we look at an object in our peripheral vision, the visual information is less detailed and less well-defined. This is because the cells in the retina responsible for detecting visual information in the periphery of our vision are less sensitive to detail and color than those in the fovea, which is the central part of the retina responsible for high-acuity vision.

In the case of the peripheral drift illusion, the pattern being viewed in the periphery of our vision is usually composed of repetitive shapes or textures that are oriented in a particular direction. The edges of these shapes or textures are usually shaded in a gradient of color, with the darkest shade at the edge and gradually becoming lighter towards the center of the shape.

As we view the pattern in our peripheral vision, our brain attempts to interpret the edges of the shapes or textures as a moving boundary, similar to the edges of an object that is actually moving. However, because the edges of the shapes or textures are arranged in a particular way, the brain is unable to determine a clear direction of motion. This ambiguity causes the brain to continue searching for a clear directional cue, which creates the illusion of motion or rotation in a direction that appears to be continuous.

Peripheral drift illusion’s like the Waving Squares Illusion is caused by the brain’s attempt to interpret ambiguous visual information in the periphery of our vision. The illusion is created when the edges of repetitive shapes or textures are arranged in a particular way and shaded in a gradient of color, which creates the perception of motion or rotation where there is none.

Some Similar Illusions

There are many visual illusions that are similar to peripheral drift used in Waving Squares Illusion the in that they create the perception of movement or change where there is none. Here are a few examples:

1. The Rotating Snakes illusion: This illusion features a set of overlapping shapes that appear to be rotating in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, even though they are not actually moving.
2. The Motion Aftereffect illusion: This illusion occurs when the brain perceives motion in the opposite direction of a previously viewed moving stimulus. For example, after staring at a moving image of a waterfall for a period of time, a stationary scene may appear to be moving upwards.
3. Fraser Spiral Illusion: This illusion consists of a spiral pattern made up of contrasting colors that appear to be expanding outwards or contracting inwards when viewed peripherally, giving the illusion of rotation.
4. Café Wall Illusion: This illusion features a pattern of horizontal lines that are offset by alternating rows of small black and white rectangles. When viewed peripherally, the edges of the rectangles create the illusion of motion or a wave-like pattern.
5. Lilac Chaser Illusion: This illusion consists of a series of blurred circles in different colors on a gray background. When fixating on the central circle, a peripheral drift illusion occurs, causing the other circles to appear to be moving in a circular motion.
6. The Pinna-Brelstaff illusion: This illusion involves a set of spirals that appear to be moving in a particular direction when the viewer moves their head or eyes, even though the spirals are actually stationary.
7. Enigma Illusion: This illusion consists of a series of black and white shapes arranged in a grid pattern. When viewed peripherally, the edges of the shapes create the illusion of motion, causing the shapes to appear to be pulsating.
8. The Adelson’s Checker Shadow illusion: This illusion features a checkerboard pattern with a shadow over one section that appears to change the brightness of the squares it covers, even though all of the squares are the same color.

These illusions, and others like them, use various techniques to create the perception of motion or rotation in stationary patterns when viewed peripherally. They rely on the brain’s interpretation of visual information in the periphery of vision, which can be less accurate and less detailed than information received by the fovea, the central part of the retina.

Discovery of the Waving Squares Illusion

The Waving Squares Illusion was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, a Japanese psychologist and visual perception expert who is known for his research on visual illusions and his creation of many famous optical illusions. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.

Kitaoka’s work has focused on the study of perception, specifically on how the brain processes visual information and creates the experience of seeing. He has developed a number of visual illusions that demonstrate how the brain can be tricked into perceiving things that are not actually there or that are different from reality.

Some of Kitaoka’s most famous illusions include the Rotating Snakes illusion, the Checker Shadow illusion, and his work on the Fraser Spiral illusion. His work has been featured in scientific journals and popular media around the world, and he is considered one of the leading researchers in the field of visual perception.

References and Resources

In addition to the Waving Squares Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome Rotating Disks Illusion and this cool Mona Lisa Bar Illusion and this Moving Bars Illusion.

This Swaying Columns Illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka uses peripheral drift to create the perception that the columns are swaying when they are completely static.

If you are interested in learning how the Swaying Columns Illusion and peripheral drift work, scroll down to read more about it.

Table of Contents

• What is the Swaying Columns Illusion?
• How does the Swaying Columns Illusion work?
• Some Similar Illusions
• Discovery of the Swaying Columns Illusion
• References and Resources

What is the Swaying Columns Illusion?

The Swaying Columns Illusion is an example of Peripheral drift which is a visual illusion that occurs when the edges of an object or pattern appear to be moving or vibrating, even though the object itself is stationary. This illusion is created by specific patterns that are designed to interact with the visual system in a way that produces the perception of movement.

The moving heart illusion is a powerful demonstration of the brain’s ability to create the perception of movement and change even when there is none. It is also an example of the types of visual illusions that can be used to study the ways that the brain processes visual information and creates our perception of the world around us.

The patterns used to create peripheral drift typically involve high-contrast black and white elements arranged in a circular or spiral pattern. When the pattern is viewed, the edges of the elements appear to be shifting or vibrating, which creates the illusion of movement. The effect is strongest when the pattern is viewed peripherally, meaning that it is viewed using the outer edges of the visual field rather than by looking directly at it.

Peripheral drift is a type of motion illusion, which means that it creates the perception of movement even though there is no actual motion involved. It is thought to be caused by the way that the visual system processes information about the edges and boundaries of objects. The illusion can be used in various contexts, including in art and design, and in the study of visual perception and cognition.

How does the Swaying Columns Illusion Work?

Peripheral drift is a visual illusion that occurs when a stationary pattern appears to be in motion or to be rotating when viewed peripherally. This phenomenon is caused by the way that our brains process information about visual stimuli in the periphery of our visual field.

When we look at an object directly, our eyes are able to focus on the details of the object and the brain processes this information in a relatively straightforward way. However, when we look at an object in our peripheral vision, the visual information is less detailed and less well-defined. This is because the cells in the retina responsible for detecting visual information in the periphery of our vision are less sensitive to detail and color than those in the fovea, which is the central part of the retina responsible for high-acuity vision.

In the case of the peripheral drift illusion, the pattern being viewed in the periphery of our vision is usually composed of repetitive shapes or textures that are oriented in a particular direction. The edges of these shapes or textures are usually shaded in a gradient of color, with the darkest shade at the edge and gradually becoming lighter towards the center of the shape.

As we view the pattern in our peripheral vision, our brain attempts to interpret the edges of the shapes or textures as a moving boundary, similar to the edges of an object that is actually moving. However, because the edges of the shapes or textures are arranged in a particular way, the brain is unable to determine a clear direction of motion. This ambiguity causes the brain to continue searching for a clear directional cue, which creates the illusion of motion or rotation in a direction that appears to be continuous.

Peripheral drift illusion’s like the Swaying Columns illusion is caused by the brain’s attempt to interpret ambiguous visual information in the periphery of our vision. The illusion is created when the edges of repetitive shapes or textures are arranged in a particular way and shaded in a gradient of color, which creates the perception of motion or rotation where there is none.

Some Similar Illusions

There are many visual illusions that are similar to peripheral drift used in Swaying Columns Illusion the in that they create the perception of movement or change where there is none. Here are a few examples:

1. The Rotating Snakes illusion: This illusion features a set of overlapping shapes that appear to be rotating in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, even though they are not actually moving.
2. The Motion Aftereffect illusion: This illusion occurs when the brain perceives motion in the opposite direction of a previously viewed moving stimulus. For example, after staring at a moving image of a waterfall for a period of time, a stationary scene may appear to be moving upwards.
3. Fraser Spiral Illusion: This illusion consists of a spiral pattern made up of contrasting colors that appear to be expanding outwards or contracting inwards when viewed peripherally, giving the illusion of rotation.
4. Café Wall Illusion: This illusion features a pattern of horizontal lines that are offset by alternating rows of small black and white rectangles. When viewed peripherally, the edges of the rectangles create the illusion of motion or a wave-like pattern.
5. Lilac Chaser Illusion: This illusion consists of a series of blurred circles in different colors on a gray background. When fixating on the central circle, a peripheral drift illusion occurs, causing the other circles to appear to be moving in a circular motion.
6. The Pinna-Brelstaff illusion: This illusion involves a set of spirals that appear to be moving in a particular direction when the viewer moves their head or eyes, even though the spirals are actually stationary.
7. Enigma Illusion: This illusion consists of a series of black and white shapes arranged in a grid pattern. When viewed peripherally, the edges of the shapes create the illusion of motion, causing the shapes to appear to be pulsating.
8. The Adelson’s Checker Shadow illusion: This illusion features a checkerboard pattern with a shadow over one section that appears to change the brightness of the squares it covers, even though all of the squares are the same color.

These illusions, and others like them, use various techniques to create the perception of motion or rotation in stationary patterns when viewed peripherally. They rely on the brain’s interpretation of visual information in the periphery of vision, which can be less accurate and less detailed than information received by the fovea, the central part of the retina.

Discovery of the Swaying Columns Illusion

The Swaying Columns Illusion was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, a Japanese psychologist and visual perception expert who is known for his research on visual illusions and his creation of many famous optical illusions. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.

Kitaoka’s work has focused on the study of perception, specifically on how the brain processes visual information and creates the experience of seeing. He has developed a number of visual illusions that demonstrate how the brain can be tricked into perceiving things that are not actually there or that are different from reality.

Some of Kitaoka’s most famous illusions include the Rotating Snakes illusion, the Checker Shadow illusion, and his work on the Fraser Spiral illusion. His work has been featured in scientific journals and popular media around the world, and he is considered one of the leading researchers in the field of visual perception.

References and Resources

In addition to the Swaying Columns Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome Rotating Disks Illusion and this cool Mona Lisa Bar Illusion and this Moving Bars Illusion.

In this Rotating Disks Illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, the circles appear to rotate despite the image being completely static. In this way, the Rotating Circles Illusion is an example of illusory motion and very similar to Akiyoshi Kitaoka’s famous rotating snakes illusion.

If you are interested in learning more about the Rotating disks Illusion and illusory motion, scroll down to read more about it.

Table of Contents

• What is the Rotating Disks Illusion?
• How does the Rotating Circles Illusion work?
• Some Similar Illusions
• Discovery of the Rotating Disks Illusion
• References and Resources

What is the Rotating Disks Illusion?

The Rotating Disks Illusion is an example of illusory motion. Illusory motion is a type of visual illusion that creates the perception of movement where there is none. This can happen in various ways, such as when stationary images are presented in rapid succession, or when static images are presented in a way that creates the impression of movement.

The Rotating Disks Illusion is very similar to the Rotating Snakes illusion which creates the perception of motion in a stationary image. The illusion was first discovered by Japanese psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka in 2003 and it quickly became popular on the internet.

The Rotating Snakes Illusion consists of a pattern of overlapping circles that appear to rotate endlessly in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. However, the circles themselves are not actually moving. The illusion is created by the placement of different colors and contrast levels within the pattern, which create the perception of motion in the brain.

Both the Rotating Disks and the Rotating Snakes Illusions are an examples of a type of illusion called a peripheral drift illusion, where the motion appears to occur at the edges of an image, rather than in the center. These types of illusions are thought to be caused by the way the brain processes visual information and how it interprets motion in relation to the surrounding environment.

The Rotating Snakes Illusion is a fascinating example of how our brains can be tricked by visual stimuli and how our perception of motion can be influenced by subtle changes in color and contrast.

How does the Rotating Circles Illusion Work?

The Rotating Disks Illusion is created by manipulating the way our brain perceives motion. Specifically, the illusion takes advantage of a phenomenon called the peripheral drift illusion, which causes stationary patterns to appear to move or rotate when viewed peripherally.

In the case of the Rotating Disks Illusion, the illusion is created by a pattern of circles with curved edges that overlap with each other. The edges of each circle are shaded with a gradient of color, with the darkest shade at the edge and gradually becoming lighter towards the center of the circle. In addition, the circles are arranged in a particular way so that they intersect at specific points.

When you view the Rotating Disks Illusion, your brain attempts to interpret the pattern of overlapping circles as a rotating object. However, because the circles are arranged in such a way that they intersect at specific points, your brain is unable to determine a clear point of rotation. This ambiguity causes the brain to continue searching for a clear rotational axis, which creates the illusion of motion in a direction that appears to be rotating continuously.

Furthermore, the gradual shading of the circles at the edges causes the circles to appear to be moving in a particular direction, as if they are being rotated. The combination of these factors creates a powerful illusion of motion that appears to be continuous and in a specific direction, even though the circles themselves are stationary.

In summary, the Rotating Disks Illusion takes advantage of the way our brains interpret patterns of overlapping shapes and color gradients to create the perception of motion where there is none.

Some Similar Illusions

There are many visual illusions that create the perception of motion or movement, and some of them are similar to the Rotating Disks Illusion. Here are a few examples:

1. Pinna-Brelstaff Illusion: This illusion creates the perception of motion in a static image. It consists of a series of concentric rings, each with a slightly different shape and color. When viewed while moving towards or away from the image, the rings appear to rotate in the opposite direction of the movement.
2. Motion Aftereffect: This illusion occurs when you view a moving object for an extended period of time, and then look at a stationary object. The stationary object appears to move in the opposite direction of the original moving object. For example, if you stare at a moving waterfall for a period of time, when you look away, stationary objects may appear to be moving upward.
3. Hermann Grid Illusion: This illusion creates the perception of black dots appearing and disappearing in a grid of white squares. However, there are no actual black dots present in the image. The illusion is created by the interaction between the white squares and the visual system in the brain.
4. Wagon-Wheel Illusion: This illusion occurs when a wagon wheel appears to rotate in the opposite direction of its actual movement. It is caused by the interaction between the spokes of the wheel and the frequency of the light source illuminating the wheel.

These illusions are similar to the Rotating Disks Illusion in that they manipulate the way our brains perceive motion and create the illusion of movement where there is none.

Discovery of the Illusory Motion – Rotating Circles Illusion

The Rotating Disks Illusion was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, a Japanese psychologist and visual perception expert who is known for his research on visual illusions and his creation of many famous optical illusions. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.

Kitaoka’s work has focused on the study of perception, specifically on how the brain processes visual information and creates the experience of seeing. He has developed a number of visual illusions that demonstrate how the brain can be tricked into perceiving things that are not actually there or that are different from reality.

Some of Kitaoka’s most famous illusions include the Rotating Snakes illusion, the Checker Shadow illusion, and his work on the Fraser Spiral illusion. His work has been featured in scientific journals and popular media around the world, and he is considered one of the leading researchers in the field of visual perception.

The study of illusory motion and visual perception is a collaborative and ongoing field of research, with many researchers contributing to our understanding of these complex phenomena.

References and Resources

In addition to the Rotating Disks Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome Moving Dots Illusion and this cool Mona Lisa Bar Illusion and awesome House Painting Illusion

This Expanding Coil Illusion is a type of optical illusion known as a peripheral drift illusion which creates the impression of motion in a static image. In the expanding coil illusion the static image appears to be expanding or contracting, even though the image itself is not changing.

If you are interested in learning more about the Expanding Coil Illusion scroll down to read more about it.

Table of Contents

• What is the Expanding Coil Illusion?
• How does the Expanding Coil Illusion?
• Some Similar Illusions
• References and Resources

What is the Expanding Coil Illusion?

This Expanding Coil Illusion is a type of optical illusion known as a peripheral drift illusion which creates the impression of motion in a static image. In the expanding coil illusion the static image appears to be expanding or contracting, even though the image itself is not changing.

The expanding coil illusion is a static image that appears to be expanding or contracting, even though the image itself is not changing. The illusion is created by a pattern of shapes that are arranged in a spiral or coil pattern. When you look at the image, it appears to be expanding and contracting as if it were a three-dimensional object.

The illusion is caused by the way our brains process visual information. The illusion is similar to other optical illusions that use patterns and lines to create the impression of motion, such as the Rotating Snakes illusion and the Barberpole illusion.

The expanding coil illusion is a fascinating example of how our perceptions can be influenced by visual cues and how our brains can create the impression of motion and depth from static images.

How does the Expanding Coil Illusion work?

The expanding coil illusion works by exploiting the way our brains interpret visual information. The pattern of squares in the image is arranged in a spiral or coil pattern, which creates an impression of depth and perspective. When we look at the image, our brains interpret this depth and perspective as motion, which creates the illusion of expansion and contraction.

One way to understand this is to think about how our brains interpret motion in the real world. When we see an object moving towards us, it appears to grow larger, and when it moves away from us, it appears to shrink. Our brains use this information to interpret the motion of objects in our environment.

In the case of the expanding coil illusion, the pattern of squares is arranged in a way that creates the impression of depth and perspective, which our brains interpret as motion. This creates the illusion that the image is expanding and contracting, even though it is not actually changing.

It’s worth noting that the expanding coil illusion is similar to other optical illusions that use patterns and lines to create the impression of motion, such as the Rotating Snakes illusion and the Barberpole illusion. All of these illusions work by exploiting the way our brains interpret visual information, and they provide fascinating insights into the workings of the human mind.

Some Similar Illusions

There are many other optical illusions that rely on similar principles to the Expanding Coil Illusion. Here are a few examples:

1. The Pinwheel Tiling illusion: This illusion features a series of overlapping circles with curved lines, which create the impression of rotating pinwheels.
2. The Cafe Wall illusion: This illusion features a series of black and white horizontal lines that appear to be tilted due to the way that the lines and spaces between them are arranged.
3. The Rotating Snakes illusion: This illusion features a series of concentric circles with curved lines that create the impression of rotating snakes.
4. The Hermann Grid illusion: This illusion features a grid of black squares with white spaces in between, where gray dots appear at the intersections of the white spaces. These dots seem to disappear when the eye moves to look directly at them.
5. The Motion Aftereffect illusion: This illusion occurs when the eye becomes adapted to looking at a moving stimulus, and then looks at a stationary scene which appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
6. Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion: This Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion is a peripheral drift illusion. The Ferris wheel appears to rotate, but the image is completely static

All of these illusions rely on manipulating our perception of edges, contrast, and motion to create a visual experience that differs from the reality of the image itself.

References and Resources

In addition to the Expanding Coil Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions.

This Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion is a peripheral drift illusion. The Ferris wheel appears to rotate, but the image is completely static. If you are having trouble getting it to work for you, try staring directly at the blue dot in the center or diverting your gaze slightly to the left or the right.

The Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion is a fascinating example of how our brains can be tricked into perceiving motion and movement in static images. It’s a testament to the power of our visual system and the way that our brains interpret the world around us.

If you are interested in learning more about the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion, scroll down to read more about it.

Table of Contents

• What is the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion?
• How does the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion work?
• Some Similar Illusions
• References and Resources

What is the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion?

The Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion is an example of a type of optical illusion known as a “peripheral drift illusion,” which creates the impression of a moving Ferris wheel in a static image.

The Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion is a fascinating example of how our brains can be tricked into perceiving motion and movement in static images. It’s a testament to the power of our visual system and the way that our brains interpret the world around us.

How does the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion work?

Peripheral drift illusions, like the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion are a type of optical illusion that creates the impression of motion and movement in static images. They work by taking advantage of the way that our visual system processes information about edges, contrast, and orientation.

In a peripheral drift illusion, a pattern of lines or shapes is arranged in a way that creates an impression of rotation or movement, even though the image itself is static. The key to this illusion is that the edges of the pattern are tilted at different angles, which creates an impression of motion in our peripheral vision.

As we move our eyes across the image, the edges of the pattern appear to move and shift, creating the impression of motion and rotation. This effect is strongest in our peripheral vision, which is more sensitive to motion and less sensitive to fine details than our central vision.

Peripheral drift illusions work because our visual system is constantly processing information about edges, contrast, and orientation in the environment around us. By manipulating these visual cues in a precise way, peripheral drift illusions can create the impression of motion and movement in static images, leading to a fascinating and sometimes perplexing visual experience.

Some Similar Illusions

There are many other optical illusions that rely on similar principles to the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion. Here are a few examples:

1. The Pinwheel Tiling illusion: This illusion features a series of overlapping circles with curved lines, which create the impression of rotating pinwheels.
2. The Cafe Wall illusion: This illusion features a series of black and white horizontal lines that appear to be tilted due to the way that the lines and spaces between them are arranged.
3. The Rotating Snakes illusion: This illusion features a series of concentric circles with curved lines that create the impression of rotating snakes.
4. The Hermann Grid illusion: This illusion features a grid of black squares with white spaces in between, where gray dots appear at the intersections of the white spaces. These dots seem to disappear when the eye moves to look directly at them.
5. The Motion Aftereffect illusion: This illusion occurs when the eye becomes adapted to looking at a moving stimulus, and then looks at a stationary scene which appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
6. Slithering Snakes Illusion: This Slithering Snakes Illusion by Professor Akiyoshi Kitaoka is a type of optical illusion known as a “peripheral drift illusion,” which creates the impression of motion and slithering snakes in a static image.

All of these illusions rely on manipulating our perception of edges, contrast, and motion to create a visual experience that differs from the reality of the image itself.

References and Resources

In addition to the Rotating Ferris Wheel Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions.

A Ferris wheel is a large, rotating amusement ride that consists of a giant wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim. The wheel is typically supported by a large steel frame, and the passenger cars are attached to the rim of the wheel by spokes. The ride is powered by an electric motor, which turns the wheel and rotates the passenger cars.

Ferris wheels are a popular attraction at amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs, and they provide riders with a thrilling view from high above the ground. The world’s tallest Ferris wheel is currently the High Roller in Las Vegas, which stands at 550 feet tall.