The Hidden Faces Around Us: 30 Instances Of Everyday Pareidolia

If you’ve ever found yourself discerning human features in an otherwise lifeless object, you’ve probably encountered pareidolia. Those who’ve had this experience often notice faces peering back at them from seemingly random sources—be it in cars, clouds, or even stains.

Interestingly, there exists an entire Facebook group devoted to the phenomenon of ‘Things that look like faces.’ Members share images of everyday objects with uncanny resemblances to facial features, complete with distinctive lips, eyes, and noses that contribute to the peculiar charm of these pareidolic discoveries.

Scroll down and enjoy yourself. All photos are linked and lead to the sources from which they were taken. Please feel free to explore further works of these photographers on their collections or their personal sites.

#1

Image source: Tina Mobley Davis

#2

Image source: Alex Lee

#3

Image source: Mia Lynn

“Pareidolia is a fascinating psychological phenomenon wherein the human mind perceives familiar patterns, particularly faces, in random or unrelated stimuli. The term itself stems from the Greek words ‘para,’ meaning alongside, and ‘eidolon,’ meaning image or form, collectively describing the tendency to interpret ambiguous stimuli as meaningful patterns.”

#4

Image source: Mike Girsback

#5

Image source: Zachary Lee

#6

Image source: Dan Kuwertz

“This tendency is deeply ingrained in human cognition, as our brains are wired to seek out and recognize faces for social interaction and communication. As a result, people commonly report seeing faces in various non-face objects, such as clouds, rock formations, or even household items.”

#7

Image source: Bear Bimonte

#8

Image source: Hannah Houlton

#9

Image source: Saifuu

“Pareidolia provides a captivating glimpse into the intricacies of human perception and the brain’s inclination to impose order and familiarity onto the chaotic and abstract. It highlights the imaginative and creative aspects of the mind, showcasing our ability to find meaning and connection in the seemingly ordinary.”

#10

Image source: Frank Richardson

#11

Image source: Dominique Collins

#12

Image source: Mariangely Santiago

“Beyond its psychological implications, pareidolia has inspired art, literature, and even social media groups dedicated to sharing and celebrating the amusing and sometimes surreal instances of perceived faces in everyday objects. This phenomenon serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between perception, cognition, and the innate human tendency to find significance and familiarity in the world around us.”