When randomness feels like destiny
A coincidence is a surprising concurrence of events that appear meaningfully related but have no apparent causal connection. In simpler terms, it’s when two or more things happen at the same time in a way that seems meaningful—even though they’re not actually linked.
Our brains are wired to find patterns—even where none exist. This tendency, called apophenia, helps us make sense of the world but can also lead us to see connections in random data.
Carl Jung, the famous psychologist, introduced the concept of synchronicity—meaningful coincidences that aren’t causally related but feel deeply significant.
Some people believe coincidences are signs from the universe or evidence of fate. Others see them as statistical inevitabilities in a complex world. Both views reflect how humans seek meaning in uncertainty.
Statistically, with billions of events happening every second, rare combinations are bound to occur—sometimes in ways that feel uncanny.
The word “coincidence” entered English in the 17th century from the Latin coincidere, meaning “to fall together.”