Optical illusions get our brain to exercise, and they are also a way to reveal our innermost personality and hidden traits. An optical illusion is a visual phenomenonwhere the brain misinterprets what the eyes perceive. It occurs when the information sent by the eyes conflicts with how the brain processes and understands what it sees. These illusions often trick us into seeing things that are not there, or perceiving objects differently from reality.For example, a still image might appear to move, or two shapes may seem unequal in size even though they are identical.Can you identify the hidden fish in this picture?In this black and white sketch, we see a leopard comfortably perched upon a tree enjoying his afternoon siesta. Oblivious to him, a fish is just around the corner (just a shapely figure, rather than an actual picture) However, given that the image is black and white, and the leopard is surrounded by so many twigs and branches, it is extremely difficult to spot it! Regardless, go ahead and give it a try, but remember, you just have 10 seconds!The big revealGive up? Here’s the answer. Look at the image again, and see the area above the leopard’s head. That space is in the form of a fish, isn’t it? Well, don’t worry if you were unable to spot it in one go, nor could we!Types of optical illusionsThere are three main types of optical illusions:Literal Illusions: These occur when the brain combines elements of an image to create something that doesn’t exist. For example, an image might look like two faces or a vase depending on how you interpret it.Physiological Illusions: These are caused by overstimulation of the visual system, such as excessive exposure to light, movement, or color. They can create effects like afterimages or motion illusions.Cognitive Illusions: These rely on how the brain subconsciously interprets information. Examples include illusions like the Müller-Lyer illusion, where lines appear longer or shorter due to surrounding shapes.