Have you ever stared at a cloud or an abstract image and suddenly seen a clear shape—a face, an animal, or even an object? This phenomenon, known as pareidolia, explains why our brains impose familiar patterns on ambiguous visuals. Recently, a viral image dividing viewers—some see a fish, others a plane—has reignited discussions about brain dominance and perception. But what does it actually mean if you see one over the other? Let’s dive into the science (and myths) behind this intriguing idea.

The left-brain vs. right-brain theory suggests that the two hemispheres govern different cognitive styles. The left brain is often linked to logic, analytical thinking, and detail-oriented processing, while the right brain is associated with creativity, intuition, and big-picture thinking. According to this popular (but oversimplified) notion, spotting the plane—a mechanical, structured object—might indicate left-brain dominance, while seeing the fish—a fluid, organic shape—could suggest right-brain tendencies.