Thanks to high-definition screens, technological advancements, and cutting-edge modern art, you’d think we’ve seen every color imaginable.
But despite our TVs and monitors being capable of displaying nearly the full spectrum—from bold rainbows to subtle hues—it turns out there may be certain colors we’ve never truly experienced.
I tried one particular optical illusion before writing this, and the effect was genuinely fascinating.
One such color is “true cyan,” a vivid greenish-blue shade that social media user Kate Bacon—who holds a degree in integrative physiology—claims most of us have likely never seen before.
In a viral video with over 23 million views, she explains, “It’s called true cyan, and most TVs and monitors aren’t able to display this pigment.”
The illusion is simple but striking: you stare at a red circle with a white dot in the center, placed against a plain blue background. After focusing on the dot for at least 30 seconds (the longer, the better), you close your eyes tightly—and that’s when you’ll see it. A glowing orb appears in your vision, displaying the elusive true cyan.
While Bacon’s TikTok version of the illusion is decent, there’s a two-minute YouTube video that delivers the effect even more powerfully (just make sure to watch in full-screen mode and follow the instructions precisely).
Judging by the comments on her post, viewers were amazed. One person wrote, “Wow, that’s a pretty color,” while another shared, “Honestly so crazy—I loved it. It made my day.”
But perhaps TikTok user Karli Haws said it best: “Just fell in love with this color—it’s my happy place.”
Honestly, I’m a little sad I can’t paint every wall in my house with it.
