• A common instance of pareidolia (the perception that an obscure image is significant) are visual appearances of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary in food and other items.

  The discoveries of religious pareidolia can sometimes prove lucrative. Some people often put such items up for bid on the auction website eBay.WTOL-11: Jesus Pierogi Goes for $1775 on eBay (November 17, 2005)

• 1. Pareidolia = phenomenon when a random stimulus is perceived as significant
  2. Religious pareidolia usually involves images of Jesus Christ or Virgin Mary
  3. A pierogi supposedly depicting Jesus sold for $1,775 on eBayWTOL-11: Jesus Pierogi Goes for $1775 on eBay (November 17, 2005)
  4. A pretzel presumably resembling the Virgin Mary sold for $10,600 on eBayUSA Today: Internet casino buys Virgin Mary snack for $10,600 (March 11, 2005)

• Instances of Religious Pareidolia in Food

  • 1977: Jesus image in a tortillaRoadsideAmerica.com: Shrine of the Miracle Tortilla
  • 1996: Mother Teresa image in a cinnamon pastryABC News: Hungry for Miracles? Try Jesus on a Fish Stick (November 30, 2004)
  • 2004: Virgin Mary image in an eaten grilled cheese sandwichABC News: Hungry for Miracles? Try Jesus on a Fish Stick (November 30, 2004)
  • 2005: Jesus image in a pierogiWTOL-11: Jesus Pierogi Goes for $1775 on eBay (November 17, 2005)
  • 2005: Virgin Mary image in a pretzelUSA Today: Internet casino buys Virgin Mary snack for $10,600 (March 11, 2005)
  • 2007: Virgin Mary image in a pizza panABC-13: Hundreds of faithful flock to witness the vision (February 23, 2007)

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