There is a word, uniting the Greek term

for next to, or extended from 

with eidolon, meaning image

something glimpsed, as in a mirror, 

and then reflected back to 

the pattern-forming mind.

With this word we have framed

the tendency to find ourselves

 in dusty ceilings, lurid carpets; 

scudding clouds

And folds of cloth. 

Somehow, in old walls, tea towels, or 

Found pebbles,  

our infinitely expressive faces 

are always being figured forth:

aghast, or pensive

inscrutable, or glum.

For most

of all,

in all things,

we like to see 

Our

likeness.


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Comments

19 responses to “Pareidolia”

  1. I love this!

    And see faces everywhere too….

  2. What a hoot! Sent it on to like minded friend.

  3. laherne5f0b033052 Avatar
    laherne5f0b033052

    I love these. Also I like to find images in bricks laid as a wall in my house. I have a seagull, Biggles, ancient cattle and other things. They are almost like friends I see every day. Faces made of knots in wood are another common example.

  4. Such a lovely post! Thank you.

  5. love it

  6. carolfreshley11a7a2b1a8 Avatar
    carolfreshley11a7a2b1a8

    Oh wow!  This post brought so many smiles to my morning cup of coffee.  So cleverly done and the poetry is touching, expressive, worth a second read.Getting your emails is often the best part of my morning.  Thank you for putting all of your creative effort into sharing with us.Carol

  7. ElaineinNYC Avatar
    ElaineinNYC

    Great—thanks!

  8. I love this!  I see faces everywhere.  

  9. Carole Thompson Avatar
    Carole Thompson

    I often think our lovely moon is just such a thing. How did that smiley countenance influence our early ancestors and how would we be different if instead it had been scowling down at us.

  10. Hi Kate
    Funny, seeing it like this, the beach behind our house is full of faces.
    A lot of folks here collect such stones – but throw them away after a while. Living at the sea, makes you collect stones, shells, pieces of wood, glass and rope. After a while, you throw them away. That’s the natural cycle: finding stuff and dumping it again.
    Keep finding stones
    The Fab Four of Cley
    :-) :-) :-) :-)

  11. I love pebbles and finding faces in nature, so this post is life

  12. I think you found some little spirits.

  13. dear kate, thank you for the smile this morning. So very much needed. xo j peace

  14. This made me smile. Thank you.

  15. Marlene Avatar

    beautiful…just beautiful

  16. Oborozukyo Avatar
    Oborozukyo

    I mostly just see biscuits and a couple of stones.

    It’s just occurred to me that they might all be stones! Is there a word for seeing food in everything?

  17. hils tranter Avatar
    hils tranter

    I love paradeloia – though I can never remember how to spell it. I think we are programmed to see faces in things… and cats! All the best, Hils

    >

    1. The spelling is an issue for me too! I had to correct the post title …

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