The '17 Squares In A Larger Square' meme originates from viral optical illusions and logic puzzles that frequently circulate on social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit. The image presents a grid where squares of different sizes overlap, challenging the viewer to count every possible square within the frame. While originally intended as a cognitive test, the internet adapted it into a meme to represent over-thinking, anxiety, or the act of finding patterns that don't exist. It is commonly used to satirize people who look too deeply into simple situations or to mock the feeling of being overwhelmed by a seemingly straightforward task.