Bistable

One animation, two minds — a perception instrument
0 keeps it ambiguous. Raise it to shade the front and lock one direction.
Motion
Reverse spin
Flip the true direction
Motion trails
Leave a fading wake
Theme
Orbiting Dots
Two ways to see it — tap to nudge your perception
Your reading
How it works

What makes an illusion "bistable"? +
A bistable image holds two equally valid interpretations, and your brain can only commit to one at a time. The picture never changes — your reading of it does. Here, the trick is depth: a rotating shape drawn without shading gives no clue which parts are near and which are far, so the spin direction is yours to decide.
Tips to flip the spin +
  • Pick one point — a foot, a dot, a spoke — and decide it's in front. The rest follows.
  • Look slightly away, then back. The reset often lands on the other reading.
  • Blink slowly, or let your eyes defocus for a moment.
  • Use the nudge buttons below the stage, then ease the depth lighting back to zero.
Keyboard shortcuts +
SpacePlay / pause RReset 1–6Switch pattern ← →Speed HFlip hint FFullscreen

The animation runs one fixed direction the whole time. Everything you see switching is happening in your head — that's the point.