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Entoptic figures

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Geometric or luminous visual patterns generated within the eye (e.g., phosphenes), used metaphorically in poetry.

Detailed Definition
Visual patterns, geometric shapes, or light phenomena perceived within the eye itself—including phosphenes, floaters, and pressure-induced patterns—described or referenced in poetry. These internal optical experiences, occurring with closed eyes or in darkness, appear in mystical, visionary, or psychedelic verse. Entoptic figures represent subjective visual experiences rather than external perception, connecting to themes of inner vision, altered consciousness, and the boundaries between physical and mental sight.
Example
Example in poetry:
Phosphenes described in mystical verse; Visual patterns from eye pressure in poetry; Geometric figures seen with closed eyes; Internal optical phenomena depicted in verse
Additional Notes
Rare in poetry but found in mystical and visionary verse. Describes actual physiological visual phenomena. Related to synesthesia and other perceptual descriptions.
Also Known As
Phosphenes Eye patterns Internal visual phenomena Optical figures Endoptic imagery
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