The number of triangles you see will determine if you are narcissistic.

At first glance, the image above seems simple: a few colored triangles stacked on top of each other. But upon closer inspection, the counting method changes. Some see nine triangles, others thirteen, and some even claim to recognize more than twenty when they add up all the hidden shapes.

This optical puzzle has gone viral for one simple reason: it's not really about mathematics, but about how you see the world.

The illusion behind the triangles

The image forms a pyramid of small, candy-colored triangles. Depending on how your brain processes visual patterns, you may simply count the individual parts or begin to connect them into larger shapes.

Psychologists call this gestalt perception—our brain's tendency to look at the whole rather than the individual parts. When you see an image, your subconscious decides whether to focus on the details or the overall view. And this decision reveals something surprising about your personality.

When you see a 9 triangle

You are probably a realist. You focus on evidence and practicality. You trust what you can clearly see and don't waste time chasing opportunities that may not even exist. In relationships and at work, you value stability and simplicity.

However, this approach can lead to overlooking deeper meanings or hidden motives, especially in people. People prefer clarity, but life isn't always clear.