ADVERTISEMENT

Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. And we've known about it for quite a while.

Leonardo da Vinci, for example, described seeing characters in natural markings on stone walls, which he believed could help inspire his artworks. And in the 1950s, the Bank of Canada had to withdraw a series of banknotes because people saw a grinning devil leaping from the curls of the Queen's hair.

However, pareidolia can be really fun, too. Just look at this list of photos from Bored Panda. At first glance, it looks like a seemingly casual batch of veggies and fruits. But a closer examination will reveal they have "become" something else. Enjoy!

#1

After Stewing In His Emotions, Emo Veg Comes To The Conclusion That The Root Of The World's Problems Is That People Don't Seem To Carrot All

After Stewing In His Emotions, Emo Veg Comes To The Conclusion That The Root Of The World's Problems Is That People Don't Seem To Carrot All

obvincognito Report

RELATED:

    Sometimes, an abnormal look can make fruits and veggies land in the bin. Of course, food waste exists across the food supply chain due to pests and mold, poor climate control, and household waste, but imperfect produce is often turned away by grocery stores for not meeting strict cosmetic standards as well, making up around 40% of total food waste.

    Philip Behn, the CEO of Imperfect Foods, a company that is on a mission to eliminate food waste, told Forbes that there are many reasons this could happen: "It could be a small quirk in appearance based on shape, size, or color that has no impact on flavor or nutrition. Beyond produce, perfectly good grocery items often go to waste for similarly illogical reasons. Grocers won't purchase or stock goods that are close to expiration or going through packaging changes, regardless of quality."

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Reducing food loss has been identified as one of the most effective ways to improve food security – an increasingly important challenge as the global population continues to grow. Plus, food waste also hugely contributes to global warming and our carbon footprint.

    But ugly food is fighting back. More and more companies are selling ugly produce and using it in their products, reversing the fate of discarded monstrosities to delicious, perfectly edible, and nutritious food.

    The ugly produce movement also has the potential to pass lower prices onto customers.

    So if you stumble upon a radish that resembles a foot — buy it. You'll be doing your part.

    #5

    Going To Have To Eat This Chicken As It Hasn't Laid A Single Bloody Egg Yet

    Going To Have To Eat This Chicken As It Hasn't Laid A Single Bloody Egg Yet

    Grove Farm, Bonnyrigg Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    cip-iesan-67 avatar
    Cip IESAN
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, the mad evil scientist crossbreeded a sparrow with a strawberry...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    This Incredible Carrot Hand Was Found While Digging Juice Carrots At Our Farm Today

    This Incredible Carrot Hand Was Found While Digging Juice Carrots At Our Farm Today

    Moby-Dickens Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    She Thought He Did Not Carrot All, But He Bought Her 21-Carrot Ring

    She Thought He Did Not Carrot All, But He Bought Her 21-Carrot Ring

    imgur.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Foot Shaped Radish Goes On Display

    Foot Shaped Radish Goes On Display

    Nine_Fingers Report

    #10

    Naughty Pears

    Naughty Pears

    imgur Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    mihaimara avatar
    Mihai Mara
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Farmer: 'So I was walking in the orchard and kept hearing moans but there was nobody there except me. No idea what was going on".

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    This Banana Looks Exactly Like My Mom's Dog

    This Banana Looks Exactly Like My Mom's Dog

    imgur.com Report

    #15

    This Onion Looks Like An Angry Bird

    This Onion Looks Like An Angry Bird

    imgur.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #16

    F**k You Too, Broccoli

    F**k You Too, Broccoli

    imgur.com Report

    #17

    This Tomato That Grew In Our Garden Is Shaped Like A Butterfly

    This Tomato That Grew In Our Garden Is Shaped Like A Butterfly

    Kr1tya3 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    mihaimara avatar
    Mihai Mara
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gives new meaning to the saying 'having butterflies in your stomach'

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #18

    This Yam Looks Like A Human Hand

    This Yam Looks Like A Human Hand

    pm_me_ur_bussy Report

    #19

    This Pumpkin In Our Garden Split And It Looks Like It Has Teeth

    This Pumpkin In Our Garden Split And It Looks Like It Has Teeth

    lokigivesmeloves Report

    #20

    An Exceptionally Suave And Sophisticated Daikon Radish

    An Exceptionally Suave And Sophisticated Daikon Radish

    the2belo Report

    #22

    This Strawberry Looks Like A Butterfly

    This Strawberry Looks Like A Butterfly

    sicknickmondo Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    The Skin On My Apple Kinda Looks Like The Silhouette Of A Camel

    The Skin On My Apple Kinda Looks Like The Silhouette Of A Camel

    Natalia_Kelly Report

    #27

    I Thought This Gourd Looked Like A Snail

    I Thought This Gourd Looked Like A Snail

    snaz27 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    slytherclawprincess199 avatar
    Airis Malfoy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when you ignore the green part, and look at the yellow one, it looks like Sid the Sloth from Ice age.... or is it just me? https://images.app.goo.gl/EFXnb2GoJF35dbiA7

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #28

    This Purple Carrot Looks Like A Bartender Ready To Take Your Drink Order And Listen To Your Troubles

    This Purple Carrot Looks Like A Bartender Ready To Take Your Drink Order And Listen To Your Troubles

    nancyxxu Report

    #29

    I Thought There Was A Severed Finger In My Fruit Bowl. It Was Just Some Ginger

    I Thought There Was A Severed Finger In My Fruit Bowl. It Was Just Some Ginger

    Seawench41 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    mihaimara avatar
    Mihai Mara
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can't fool us! I know how a severed finger looks like when I see one! .... *cough* cause I've seen them in movies. In movies, yes.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #32

    So Aparrotly This Is Milkweed

    So Aparrotly This Is Milkweed

    imgur.com Report

    #33

    This Small Red Potato Looks Like An Anatomical Heart

    This Small Red Potato Looks Like An Anatomical Heart

    Jztak7 Report

    #34

    I Don't Think I Can Eat This Potato

    I Don't Think I Can Eat This Potato

    capnfantasy Report

    #35

    My Friend Found A Lemon Shaped Like An Elephant

    My Friend Found A Lemon Shaped Like An Elephant

    fink Report

    #38

    My Wife's Bell Pepper Looks Like A Big Nosed Grumpy Old Man Smoking A Cig

    My Wife's Bell Pepper Looks Like A Big Nosed Grumpy Old Man Smoking A Cig

    poznasty Report

    #39

    We Grew An Eggplant That Looks Like The Poop Emoji

    We Grew An Eggplant That Looks Like The Poop Emoji

    SadOni0n Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #40

    My Potato Looks Like It's Trying To Escape Itself

    My Potato Looks Like It's Trying To Escape Itself

    Moonri Report

    #41

    This Jalapeño Looks Like A T-Rex

    This Jalapeño Looks Like A T-Rex

    AberrantDevices Report

    #44

    It Looks Exactly Like Larry Bird

    It Looks Exactly Like Larry Bird

    bingowings14 Report

    #46

    This Carrot Wants To Be An Astronaut

    This Carrot Wants To Be An Astronaut

    reddit.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #48

    My Friend’s Smoked Cauliflower Looks Like An Explosion

    My Friend’s Smoked Cauliflower Looks Like An Explosion

    orkenbjorken Report

    #50

    Tomato My Wife Grew vs. One Our Friends Bought

    Tomato My Wife Grew vs. One Our Friends Bought

    Litre Report

    Note: this post originally had 128 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.