If you haven’t seen this photo yet, you probably live on another planet—or rarely use the internet. The “Secret Photo of Paradise” has already been viewed by at least a billion people, and that number is growing rapidly. It threatens to become the most viral image in internet history. Yet, the identity of its creator remains unknown.
The image depicts a breathtaking city, seemingly carved from white crystal, with the Milky Way stretching above it—a celestial scene within our own galaxy.
Typically, the origins of viral images are quickly uncovered, but not in this case. Some have even speculated that the image was captured by inhabitants of Paradise (perhaps angels?) and somehow leaked to Earth. Online, it’s often labeled a “leak,” implying it was once hidden.
Despite its massive reach, the source of the image remains unclear. Some claim it first appeared on a social network banned in Russia, while others point to social network X (formerly Twitter). What is certain is that X played a major role in spreading it.
AI-generated or something more?
Most rational observers agree that the image is AI-generated—though not by a sophisticated neural network, but rather a crude, hastily made model. Certain technical inconsistencies hint at this. It is widely believed that the inspiration for the image is Urdak, a fictional city from a video game. In the game’s lore, Urdak is home to an “angelic” race, making this theory plausible.
Ironically, skeptics played a key role in making the image go viral. They shared it widely, often with sarcastic comments such as:
If this is Heaven, I’d love to see Hell.”
“Show me the AI glitch that made this.”
“People will believe anything AI generates.”
However, skepticism was soon drowned out by widespread fascination. Many viewers embraced the image as authentic, despite its questionable origins.
Experts in internet trends suggest that the viral spread of this image may be part of a social experiment. Theories abound: was this a study on how easily misinformation spreads? A test of people’s willingness to believe the implausible? Or simply an analysis of viral content patterns for future marketing strategies?
Interestingly, a similar “image of Paradise” went viral exactly a year ago—this time as a video. It claimed that NASA had discovered Paradise while studying Jupiter in the 1990s. The video, which began with images of Jupiter’s moon Io, quickly devolved into AI-generated nonsense.
NASA had to release an official statement debunking the claim. This suggests that whoever is behind these viral phenomena periodically repeats the experiment.
The search for paradise
The idea of locating Paradise on Earth is not new. In ancient and medieval times, people believed it was a real place—somewhere one could physically visit.
Early theories placed Paradise in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Later, it was believed to be farther east—first in India, then beyond. During the Middle Ages, explorers sought the legendary “Kingdom of Prester John,” rumored to be a paradise hidden in Central Asia or Tibet. Some historians believe this legend was inspired by real Christian communities that thrived in Asia after fleeing persecution in Europe.
A persistent belief exists that secret photographs of Paradise are hidden away—perhaps in the Vatican. One of the most elaborate legends speaks of a mysterious camera that can photograph events from the past. According to the myth, this camera and its images are stored in the Vatican, containing authentic footage of biblical times. Remarkably, this story pre-dates the digital era.
Perhaps this is why the “Secret Photo of Paradise” went viral so quickly—it tapped into a deep-seated fascination with the unknown.