“The Number of Circles You See” Meme – What It Really Means
- A viral meme claims the number of circles you see in an optical illusion reveals if you’re a narcissist.
- The illusion shows overlapping concentric circles — some people see a few, others see many.
- The meme suggests:
- Seeing 4-5 circles = you’re highly narcissistic.
- Seeing 7-8 circles = you’re average.
- Seeing 12 or more = you’re empathetic and humble.
But here’s the truth:
- There is no scientific evidence linking this illusion to narcissism or personality traits.
- The illusion works by confusing your brain’s pattern recognition and contrast perception, not your psychology.
- Different people may see different numbers of circles based on:
- Screen quality
- Lighting
- Focus and eye sensitivity
- How long they look at the image
Why it went viral:
- People love quick, entertaining ways to “analyze” themselves.
- It combines psychology, mystery, and optical illusion — all popular elements on social media.
- Despite being inaccurate, it taps into a common human desire to understand ourselves better.
Final takeaway:
- The illusion is fun, but not a real personality test.
- Seeing more or fewer circles just shows how your brain processes visuals — not your level of narcissism.