The way you draw circles says a lot about you (qz.com)

A recent analysis of 100,000 drawings from Google’s online game Quick, Draw! reveals intriguing cultural insights based on how individuals draw circles. The dataset, featuring contributions from 148 countries, indicates a striking correlation between drawing direction—clockwise or counterclockwise—and cultural background, influenced by the inherent structure of languages. For instance, the majority of Americans tend to draw circles counterclockwise (86%), while a significant portion of Japanese participants favor a clockwise approach (80%). These findings align with insights from developmental psychology and education, suggesting that cultural norms and writing systems impact even the most fundamental human expressions, like drawing. The study highlights the significance of stroke order in various writing systems, positing that the methodical approach required in languages like Japanese and Chinese leads to a natural inclination toward clockwise circular motions, contrasting with Western styles that predominantly feature counterclockwise motions. With a richer dataset than previous studies, this research not only reinforces the idea that culture shapes simple actions but also serves as a gateway for further exploration into how language and cultural upbringing influence cognitive and artistic behaviors across the globe.