Examples.
This page will present recent cases of relgious pareidolia. Please browse through the page by scrolling down or by clicking on the links directly below. For some of the more outlandish examples of religious pareidolida, please visit the unbelievable section of this website. For different opinions and further reading on religious pareidolia, visit the links section.
| The Jesus Tree |Christ Oyster |
| Jesus Fying Pan | Shower Jesus |
| Hospital Window Virgin Mary |
The Jesus Tree
Calvary Cemetary in Quincy, Illinois
Also known as "The Shepard Tree", this example is probably one of the most striking examples religious pareidolia recorded. This is, in part, because it is a completely natural phenomena. Furthermore, the figure of the man, which many believe to be Jesus holding a lamb in his arms, is more fully formed that is so fully formed that it is almost three-dimensional.
Why this tree grew this way is a complete mystery, but the fact that it has grown in such a way in a Christian cemetary has led many to believe that this a modern day miracle. When it was first discovered, in 1998, news spread quickly by word-of-mouth and within days, thousands were lining up to experience this "miracle" first hand. Some people were instant believers with one woman stating "I t is 
emotional. I think it's a gift from God ... something to remind us of him." Others, however, were more skeptical. Interestingly enough, local ministers were included in the group that was less-than-convinced. "My impression is it seems like a natural occurrence in the tree. For people to be able to see in it the image of Jesus, that's wonderful,"stated the Rev. John Beveridge. "It's wonderful that people's hearts are moved by this natural occurrence, that somehow people make that association" But when asked if he believed that it was a miracle, he said "What constitutes a miracle is a little bit more than a tree that bears a similarity to Christ."(*)
(*) Pierceall, A. "Shepard Tree." Herald-Whig (July 30, 1998).
All photographs owned by Kevin Nobis, © 1998
The Christ Oyster
Unknown location, Switzerland
A bar worker in Switzerland found this shell while shucking raw oysters. Matteo Brandi, the gentleman who found it, claims that it bears the likeness of the face of Christ.
It does have a fairly strong resemblance to a face, with a raised bump for a nose, a slash for a mouth, and two indentations for eyes. One could even claim that the face is bearded, due to the darker area with ridged marks that runs along the base of this shell. It is a raw shell so no steaming or boiling could have damaged the shell and produced any of these markings. Mr. Brandi claims it stuck to his hand when he first held it, as if it was urging him to notice it.
As of January, 2005, he was is the process of investigating whether he could sell the piece. No word yet on whether he ever made a sale. (*)
(*)"Christ-like" shell goes on sale." 13 January 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4172689.stm (accessed February 16, 2007.).
All photographs owned by the Associated Foreign Press
Jesus Frying Pan
Glebe, New South Wales, Australia 
This amusing incident is the result of some lemon mustard sauce that was burned onto the bottom of a frying pan. While the gentleman that "discovered" this image isn't quite sure if it's Jesus or not, he has said that the image has helped restore his faith and that he hopes it will help restore the faith of others. And apparently the sauce was the best he ever made.(1) Truly miraculous!
This frying pan was eventually sold, as is, on eBay for AU$102.50, which equals approxiamately $70 -75 in American currency. The winning bidders were the online gambling organization Golden Palace who haved purchases many similar pieces in the past (2) (including some that will be discussed here later).
(1) "religious frying pan face of jesus easter." March 20, 2005. http://www.goldenpalaceevents.com/ebay_archives/jesuspan01.html (accessed February 16, 2007).
(2)"Charred Image Of Christ Restores Local Man’s Faith." APRIL 8, 2005. http://www.goldenpalaceevents.com/auctions/jesuspan01.php (accessed February 15, 2007).
All photographs owned by Golden Palace.
Shower Jesus
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This image, supposedly of the face of Jesus, was discovered while the homeowner was showering. According to his testimony, he says he stepped out of his shower and yelled "Jesus Christ!"(1) because a waterstain has, literally, created Jesus's image next to his tub.
The gentleman decided to cut the plaster image out of his wall and sell it on eBay. It was 
purchased by Golden Palace, an online casino operator, for $1,999.99. (2) "Shower Jesus"is not to be confused with bathe with Jesus.
(1) "Jesus Christ Image Icon Materializes in Plaster Wall: Image Is Son Of God." June 11, 2005. http://www.goldenpalaceevents.com/ebay_archives/jesuswall01.html (accessed February 13, 2007).
(2) "Jesus Found Plastered In Man’s Bathroom." June 23, 2005. http://www.goldenpalaceevents.com/auctions/jesuswall01.php (accessed February 13, 2007).
All photographs owned by Golden Palace.
Hospital Window Virgin Mary
Milton Hospital, near Boston, Massachusetts
In June, 2003, chemical deposits started seeping into the broken seal of a double-paned glass window. The result is a stain that many believe to be the silhoutte of the virgin Mary. Tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to the hospital to witness this miracle essentially overwhelming the hosptial's custodial, visiting and parking capabilities. The hospital claimed that they welcomed the visitors and were figuring out how to keep from doing anything "disrespectful" to the Virgin Mary in regards to the window. No word was ever released on whether or not the hospital kept the window in place, or if the image eventually dissipated.(*)
(*) "Virgin Mary 'seen in US hospital'." 17 June, 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2999172.stm (accessed March 2, 2007).
Photograph owned by the Associated Press.
