Rotational illusion

Rotating illusion

"Rotating snakes"

Circular snakes appear to rotate 'spontaneously'.

"Candies"

The two concentric arrays of "candies" appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Umbrellas"

The circles in front appear to rotate counterclockwise.

Explanation (PDF file)

"Co-op"

Circles appear to rotate. An op effect (scintillating lustre) is also included.

"Caprice rotation"

The left and right half circles appear to rotate sometimes. Moreover, the rotation is not always synchronized among concentric circles. They sometimes appear to expand.

"Boats"

The ring of boats appears to rotate slowly. The direction is clockwise.

"Rotating checks"

Illusory radial lines appear to rotate. In addition, the inner circle appears to rotate clockwise when seen in peripheral vision.

"Absorption"

The surround appears to move to the center. Moreover, the inset and surround appear to rotate in the different directions when observers approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

Explanation (PDF file)

"Cogwheels"

The outer ring appears to rotate clockwise while the inner one counterclockwise.

"Stealthy rotation"

The circle appears to rotate counterclockwise when seen in peripheral vision.

"A waterwheel"

The ring appears to rotate clockwise, slowly. This effect is stronger in peripheral vision

"Sheep"

Rings of sheep appear to rotate slowly.

"Allergen"

Circles appear to rotate.

Explanation (PDF file)

"A tire"

The two concentric arrays of S-shaped figures appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.*

*Such an idea, the looming method, was first presented by Pinna and Brelstaff (Vision Research, 40, 2091-2096, 2000)

"A crab in the autumn color swamp"

The ring region appears to rotate when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Neural circuits"

The two concentric arrays of stars appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Rotation of primroses"

The two concentric arrays of "flowers" appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"A loop line"

The two concentric lines appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Tubes"

The two rings appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Medaka no gakko"*

*School of killifish (the title of a Japanese nursery song)

The two groups of three rings appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Railways"

The ring appears to rotate in the direction different from that of the background when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Chromosomes"

The two rings of "chromosomes" appear to rotate in the different directions when we approach or move away from the figure while fixating at the center.

"Air mails"

Two rings appear to rotate in different directions when observers approach or move away from this figure while fixating at the center.

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