Fantasy worlds

Atlantis was a real estate scam – and 9 more crazy fictional worlds

Image: Artem Sapegin

Fiction has given us worlds beyond comprehension—realms where logic collapses, physics defies expectation, and imagination reigns supreme. From cities in the sky to entire worlds beneath our own, some of these fictional places have captivated us since their creation. Join us on a fantastical journey through some of the quirkiest and most head-scratching of these imagined worlds.

Image: Alex Muromtsev

Lewis Carroll’s 1865 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland conjured a world where words, rules, and even size lose all meaning. Time halts at tea parties, cats vanish mid-sentence, and logic itself becomes nonsense.

Carroll, a mathematician and Oxford don, infused what at first glance seems like just a children’s story with riddles, puns, and complex paradoxes. The book’s wordplay critiques Victorian social norms while subtly introducing mathematical and logical concepts.

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A technicolor realm of talking animals, magical shoes, and wicked witches, L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz reshaped children’s literature forever. Baum’s storytelling introduced a vivid fantasy world filled with unique characters, whimsical landscapes, and moral lessons that appealed to both children and adults.

Characters like the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion have become iconic figures in American popular culture for generations. The 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland cemented the book’s imagery, leaving an enduring influence on film, theater, and the broader cultural imagination.

Image: Andrew Sharples

An island where no one grows up and pirates battle endlessly, J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan debuted in 1904 and quickly became a lasting symbol of escapism. Barrie first introduced the character in a 1902 play before expanding the story into his 1911 novel, embedding themes of adventure, imagination, and the tension between childhood and adulthood.

Psychologists and literary scholars often reference Neverland as an allegory for arrested development, representing the desire to remain permanently in a state of innocence and freedom.

Image: Hari Nandakumar

A wardrobe that opens to another world, talking lions, and epic battles of good versus evil—C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia (first published in 1950) created a richly imagined fantasy universe.

Drawing on Christian allegory, classical mythology, and his own experiences in World War I, Lewis crafted seven novels that explore courage, faith, and moral growth through fantastical adventures. The series has had a profound cultural impact, inspiring stage adaptations, radio dramas, films, and countless illustrated editions.

Image: Etienne Desclides

A floating island of science, invention, and eccentric rulers, Laputa appears in Jonathan Swift’s 1726 Gulliver’s Travels. The island hovers in the sky, controlled by magnets, and is inhabited by scholars obsessed with abstract mathematics, music, and astronomy—often to the detriment of practical life below.

Swift, a master of satire, used Laputa to lampoon the scientific and political elite of his time, highlighting their detachment from practical, everyday concerns. Its striking imagery has also had a lasting impact on the depiction of futuristic societies and utopian civilizations.

Image: Andres Iga

Rolling hills, cozy hobbit holes, and a peaceful, pastoral life—J.R.R. Tolkien’s Shire, introduced in The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954–55), embodies an idyllic, pre-industrial England beneath the veneer of a fantasy world.

Tolkien, a scholar of languages and mythology, infused the Shire with intricate customs, poetry, and festivals, aiming to create a mythology for England that he felt was missing—one that celebrated simplicity, community, and harmony with nature.

Image: Derek Owens

A hidden plateau where dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures survive, Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 novel The Lost World introduced readers to a thrilling world untouched by time. Doyle’s story follows Professor Challenger and his expedition as they encounter giant reptiles, ape-men, and other wonders on a remote South American plateau, blending adventure with early paleontological speculation.

Doyle was likely inspired by Mount Roraima, a flat-topped plateau in South America’s Guiana Highlands. Its sheer cliffs, isolated ecosystem, and mysterious cloud-covered summit provided a tangible model for the novel’s prehistoric world.

Image: Mikhail Preobrazhenskiy

A legendary sunken city, Atlantis was first described by Plato in his dialogues around 360 BCE. According to Plato, Atlantis was a powerful and advanced civilization that sank beneath the ocean in a single day and night of catastrophic events, serving as a cautionary tale about hubris and moral decline.

Despite its origin as a philosophical example, many scholars believe Atlantis was inspired by the real-life Minoan civilization on Crete. The Minoans were an advanced maritime society whose cities, such as Knossos, were eventually devastated by natural disasters, including the volcanic eruption of Thera (Santorini) and subsequent tsunamis.

Image: Yoshihiro

A hollow Earth filled with prehistoric creatures and lost civilizations, Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Pellucidar (1914) imagines a world at the center of the planet, lit by an eternal inner sun. The series follows David Innes and his adventures among tribes of humans, dinosaurs, and other strange beings, blending swashbuckling action with imaginative geography.

Burroughs drew inspiration from the era’s fascination with unexplored frontiers and the Hollow Earth theories popular in the 19th century. Pellucidar has influenced later science fiction and adventure literature, inspiring works that explore hidden worlds and isolated ecosystems.

Image: martin bennie

A mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years, the legend of Brigadoon draws on deep-rooted folklore from the Scottish Highlands. The tale likely originates from myths of fairy-haunted glens and hidden villages, where magic protected communities from outsiders and the passage of time.

Such stories often emphasized the danger and allure of the supernatural, reflecting local beliefs about enchanted landscapes and the thin boundary between the human and fairy worlds.

Colors and what they represent

The meaning of colors: What shades say about clothes, décor, and mood

Colors aren’t just decoration: they’re tiny storytellers. They set the mood at dinner, change how we feel about our clothes, and can even trick us into thinking a room is bigger (or smaller) than it really is. Here’s a fun tour through ten of the most common colors and what they say in our daily lives. Warning: once you read this, you might never look at your closet—or your living room—the same way again.

Image: Filip Mishevski

Red is the show-off of the color wheel. It’s bold, fiery, and impossible to ignore. Slip on a red dress or tie, and suddenly you’re the main character in the room. Restaurants often use red in their logos because it makes us hungry—think ketchup labels, pizza signs, and soda cans. Coincidence? Definitely not.

In home décor, red can be a little tricky. A red wall screams, "Look at me!" A splash of red, though—like a lamp, pillow, or rug—can give a room instant warmth and energy.

Image: Merani Cosme

Blue is that friend who always calms things down. Think of the ocean or a clear summer sky—just looking at blue makes us breathe a little easier. Studies show it can even lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.

In fashion, a blue suit or dress shirt has "trustworthy" written all over it. It’s a classic for job interviews and first dates, because it makes people feel safe around you.

Image: Larisa Brita

Yellow is sunshine in a crayon box. It’s the color of smiley faces, lemonade stands, and those sticky notes that keep your whole desk organized. Wear yellow, and people immediately think "cheerful."

When decorating, yellow brightens up any space. A pale yellow kitchen feels warm and inviting, like grandma’s house on Sunday morning. Too much, though, and it can be overstimulating—babies have even been shown to cry more in bright yellow rooms.

Image: Junior REIS

Green is the color of life itself. It’s the grass under our feet, the leaves above our heads, and the money in our wallets (if we’re lucky). Green clothes often give off a grounded, approachable vibe—perfect for that "I’m relaxed but stylish" look.

In home décor, green works like a neutral while still feeling lively. Olive green couches are surprisingly forgiving of snack spills, and sage walls look fresh without being overwhelming.

Image: Peter Fitzpatrick

Purple has been associated with royalty for centuries, and it still has that mysterious, slightly dramatic air. A purple scarf or tie says, "I’m bold, but I also read poetry."

At home, purple can be tricky but rewarding. Deep purple curtains bring elegance and luxury, while lighter lavender shades are soothing and romantic. A purple accent wall? That’s the kind of choice that makes your neighbors whisper, "Wow, they must be creative."

Image: Erik Mclean

Orange is like red’s more approachable cousin. It’s energetic but playful, the color of pumpkins, sunsets, and every construction cone you’ve ever tried to avoid. Wear orange, and you’ll never blend into the background—it’s the ultimate "notice me" shade.

In décor, orange works best in doses. A burnt orange sofa pillow can make a beige couch look exciting instead of boring. Pair orange with neutrals, and it feels warm and cozy, like a fall afternoon.

Image: Andrey Zvyagintsev

Black never goes out of style. In fashion, it’s the ultimate slimming trick, but it’s also chic and elegant.

At home, black adds drama and contrast. A black lamp or table grounds a space, making lighter colors pop. Too much, however, can feel a little cave-like—unless you’re going for that "Batman’s lair" vibe.

Image: Hans

White is all about freshness and simplicity. Wear a crisp white shirt, and you look instantly polished—even if you got dressed in three minutes flat. The downside? White attracts stains like magnets attract fridge doors.

In decoration, white walls are like a blank canvas. They make rooms look bigger and brighter, but they can also feel a little… sterile. Add texture—like a fluffy white rug or a cozy throw blanket—and suddenly white feels welcoming instead of hospital chic.

Image: Doyo Hermann

Pink has traveled a long way from being "just for girls." These days, a pink shirt or dress can look bold, stylish, and surprisingly powerful. Wear pink, and you’re basically saying, "I don’t take myself too seriously—but I look good doing it."

In décor, pink can soften a room without making it feel childish. A dusty rose couch feels trendy and chic, while blush pink walls give off a warm, welcoming glow. Add gold accents, and suddenly pink is less "cotton candy" and more "cocktail lounge."

Image: Mary Skrynnikova

Brown doesn’t usually grab the spotlight, but it’s everywhere—coffee, chocolate, leather jackets, and comfy boots. Wear brown, and you instantly look approachable, dependable, and maybe just a little outdoorsy.

In homes, brown works like a cozy blanket. Wooden furniture, tan couches, or even a rustic rug instantly make a room feel grounded and warm. It’s the color equivalent of comfort food: steady, reliable, and always satisfying.