Parallel Lines Illusion

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In this Parallel Lines Illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, the lines are perfectly straight, but appear to be bent.

If you are interested in learning how the Parallel Lines Illusion works, scroll down to read more about it.

Parallel Lines Illusion
Parallel Lines Illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka


Table of Contents

What is the Parallel Lines Illusion?

The “Parallel Lines Illusion,” and it was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka. In this illusion, straight lines that are parallel to each other appear to be bent or curved due to the presence of other angled lines in the image.

The effect is created by the way the brain processes visual information and can be quite compelling, making it appear as if the straight lines are bending and distorting in strange ways.

Like the Zöllner Illusion, the Parallel Lines Illusion is a great example of how our brains can be easily fooled by visual stimuli.

How does the Parallel Lines Illusion Work?

The Parallel Lines Illusion works because of the way our brain processes visual information. When we look at an image with parallel lines, our brain expects the lines to be straight and parallel, but the presence of other angled lines in the image can disrupt this expectation.

When angled lines are superimposed over the parallel lines, they create an optical effect called “perspective foreshortening,” which makes the parallel lines appear to be bending or curving.

This happens because the angled lines create an illusion of depth, which makes our brain interpret the parallel lines as if they are located in three-dimensional space, and therefore appear to be bending or curving.

In the case of the Parallel Lines Illusion, the effect is enhanced by the use of colors and shading, which further contribute to the illusion of depth and curvature.

The illusion is a great example of how our brain can be easily fooled by visual stimuli, and how our perception of reality can be shaped by subtle visual cues.

Some Similar Illusions

There are many optical illusions that are similar to the Parallel Lines Illusion, in that they also play with our perception of depth, perspective, and spatial relationships. Here are a few examples:

  1. The Zöllner Illusion: This illusion is similar to the Parallel Lines Illusion in that it creates the impression of lines that are not parallel. In this illusion, however, the lines are diagonal rather than straight, and they are crossed by other lines that make them appear to be bent or distorted.
  2. The Poggendorff Illusion: This illusion involves two parallel lines that are interrupted by a diagonal line. Depending on the orientation of the diagonal line, the parallel lines appear to be misaligned or disconnected.
  3. The Müller-Lyer Illusion: This illusion creates the impression that two lines of equal length are actually different lengths. The illusion is created by adding arrowheads or other cues to the ends of the lines, which cause our brain to interpret them as being longer or shorter than they actually are.
  4. The Ponzo Illusion: This illusion involves two parallel lines that are placed over a background of converging lines. The parallel lines appear to be different lengths, with the upper line appearing longer than the lower line, even though they are actually the same length.
  5. The Ames Room Illusion: This illusion involves a specially designed room that appears to be rectangular, but is actually shaped like a trapezoid. When viewed from a certain angle, people in the room appear to be different sizes, with some appearing much larger or smaller than others.

These illusions, like the Parallel Lines Illusion, are all based on the way our brains process visual information, and they can be used to demonstrate how our perception of reality can be manipulated by subtle visual cues.

Discovery of the Parallel Lines Illusion

The the Parallel Lines Illusion was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, a Japanese psychologist and visual perception researcher, as well as an artist who is known for his creation of a variety of visual illusions. He is a professor at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, where he conducts research into the mechanisms of visual perception, including how our brains process visual information and how this processing can be influenced by context, color, and other factors.

Kitaoka is particularly well-known for his creation of colorful and striking visual illusions, many of which are based on the principles of optical art and Op Art. His illusions are popular not only in scientific and academic circles, but also in popular culture and on social media, where they have gained a large following. Some of Kitaoka’s most famous illusions include the “Rotating Snakes Illusion,” the “Parallel Lines Illusion,” and the “Chromatic Illusion.” Kitaoka’s work has contributed to our understanding of the complex processes that underlie visual perception, as well as to our appreciation of the ways in which art and science can intersect and inform each other.


References and Resources

In addition to the Parallel Lines Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions.

Parallel Lines Illusion