Pareidolia

Connected Sites: 5

Definition
Pareidolia is a psychological phenomenon involving a stimulus (an image or a sound) wherein the mind perceives a familiar pattern of something where none actually exists. Common examples are perceived images of animals, faces, or objects in cloud formations or rocks.

Map

Connected Sites

  • Rio de Janeiro
    Brazil
    Inscribed: 2012
    3.62
    197
    6
    Pedra da Gavea - Differential weathering on one side of the rock has created what is described as a stylized human face. Markings on another face of the rock have been described as an inscription (wiki)
    See en.wikipedia.org
  • Domus de janas Sardinia
    Domus de janas Sardinia
    Italy
    Inscribed: 2025
    2.58
    30
    4

    Roccia dell'Elefante, shaped like an elephant (Nomination file, p. 233, 305) (Wikipedia)
  • St. Kilda
    St. Kilda
    United Kingdom
    Inscribed: 1986
    3.50
    26
    4
    Stac Levenish - Its north cliff appears to have the profile of a human face, visible when travelling to St Kilda from the east (wiki)
  • Lagoons of New Caledonia
    Lagoons of New Caledonia
    France
    Inscribed: 2008
    3.53
    30
    2
    Hen of Hienghène
    See www.newcaledonia.travel
  • Antequera Dolmens Site
    Antequera Dolmens Site
    Spain
    Inscribed: 2016
    2.82
    150
    6
    Peña de los Enamorados: The mountain is also popularly known as "Montaña del Indio" because it looks like the head of an Indian when seen from certain angles. (wiki)