NINE hundred years after it was created, the world’s oldest optical illusion challenge continues to confound those who attempt it.
An ancient stone carving at the Airavatesvara Temple in Thanjavur, a city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, depicts a bull and an elephant.
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The Airavatesvara temple carving is believed to be the world’s oldest optical illusion
The figures have different bodies but seem to share the same head.
It is believed that the first creature you notice says a lot about your personality.
Those who see a bull are said to be honest, faithful, stubborn, fierce, strong and positive.
While those who first see the elephant are seemingly calm, kind, thoughtful, considerate, loyal and intelligent.
It might help to cover the body of one creature to see the other.
On the left is a bull with its head raised to the sky, and on the right is an elephant looking forward.
The bull, Nandi, represents the vehicle of Lord Shiva, while the elephant, Airavat, is the vehicle of Indra, the king of heaven – both are significant in Hindu culture.
The temple where the stone illusion was created is a jewel of the Chola dynasty with 12th century Dravidian architecture and carved decorations reminiscent of chariots and avatars.
For another brain-testing activity, look for the deadly fish in this picture of the ocean floor.
You have vision that can save your life if you spot it in five seconds.
Or try to locate the camouflaged toad in this video before the camera zooms out.
The time scale for the challenge is five seconds.
Find another fantastic optical illusion in this picture.
What you see could explain your temperament – whether you are level-headed or have a short fuse.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education