Nestled in the Airavatesvara Temple in Thanjavur, a city in the southern state of India Tamil Naduis a nearly nine hundred year old optical illusion that continues to baffle viewers. Can you spot both animals in this carving? This ancient image, intricately carved in stone, shows an elephant and a bull. Airavatesvara Temple, believed to have been built in the late 12th century, is considered the world’s oldest optical illusion.
In this mesmerizing optical illusion, it appears the figures possess separate bodies but share a head, intriguingly combining the features of a cow and an elephant. This optical illusion has also captivated the online world and provides insights into a person’s personality based on what they discover first.
(Source: TheSun)
For those identifying with the bull for the first time, the characteristics associated with them include “loyal, stubborn, aggressive, strong and positive”. On the other hand, people who see the elephant are initially characterized as calm, kind, thoughtful, considerate, loyal and intelligent. If you’re having trouble distinguishing one of the creatures, try covering one’s body to reveal the other. To help you further, the bull raises its head skyward on the left side, while the elephant looks forward on the right. Notably, the bull is named “Nandi”, representing the sacred vehicle of “Lord Shiva”, while the elephant, Airavat, symbolizes the sacred mount of the Lord Indraking of heaven. Both play important roles in Hindu mythology.
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The Chola dynasty, which ruled in 12th century India, saw the birth of temples featuring Dravidian architecture and intricately carved ornaments depicting chariots and avatars . So can you spot these two different animals in the photo? If you succeed, congratulations on your sharp eyesight. If not, don’t worry, because there are many more optical illusions to explore on our website, allowing you to practice and enjoy this captivating art form.
