Spinning Ballerina (Animated Optical Illusion)
June 23, 2010Which direction is this ballerina spinning in?
When I first saw this image, I saw it spinning counter-clockwise and was convinced that it was only possible to see it spinning in that direction, so I re-read the words explaining it and suddenly it was spinning in the other direction. My mind…was blown.
It took me a while to switch back again, but once I switched my perception a couple times, I figured out how the illusion works.
Is this girl facing towards you or away from you? Can you switch your perception so it’s either way? Your mind can make up the details that are lost in the silhouette so that you’re either seeing the front of her, or the back.
The same principle works with the animated ballerina image. Since the image has no details or depth (if it were a 3D model spinning, this illusion wouldn’t work) your mind can decide which direction it wants to see. The only difference is that you’re not switching from seeing her front front to her back, you’re switching whether you’re looking up at the girl, or looking down at her.
If this illusion is old news, I apologize, but this is the first time I’ve seen this, and my mind is still a little blown.
Still can’t get it?
Try focusing on something else on the page. Your mind mind flip your perception when you’re not focusing on the direction anymore.
i dont like it.
omg! Love it! it took me forever, then I focused on her legs and said “This is in front, now it’s in back.” and I finally got it. Nice!