A Christian Mystical Symbol,
probably in Glastonbury, England

The photo above shows a Christian mystical symbol. A circle containing two smaller overlapping circles which form a double cross with gentle arcs.

The photo was sent to me by my friend, the poet Jay Ramsay, some years before he passed. He hoped the photos he sent might serve to help me promote my poetry.

Jay was more New Age than me, not calling himself a Christian, but he did publish a book about the Bible shortly before his death, so he was very well informed on Christianity.

I suspect he took the photo in Glastonbury, Britain, as he also sent me a beautiful photo of Glastonbury Tor, shrouded in mist.

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With love, Katherine

I thought I’d ask AI for more information on the mystical geometric symbol.

Is this a Christian image and what does it represent?

This simple stone mosaic is a design often found in places shaped by early Christian and Celtic spirituality. It carries a quiet symbolic power.

Glastonbury is one of Britain’s most significant centres of Christian mysticism. The Abbey was a major monastic site, and the landscape is threaded with Christian legend, pilgrimage, and contemplative practice.

Symbols like this one appear in walkways and courtyards across the town, marking places of pause, prayer, or reflection.

A Christian “Cosmic Cross” or “Circle‑Cross” motif

The design — a circle divided by a cross, with curved arcs inside — is strongly reminiscent of the Cosmic Cross, a symbol used in early Christian and Celtic Christian art.

• The circle represents eternity.
• The cross represents Christ.
• The four quadrants echo the created world held within divine presence.

More about the four quadrants of the Christian mystical symbol

Those four parts were described in three different ways depending on the Christian tradition.

1. The Four Directions

North, South, East, West — the physical orientation of the world.

2. The Four Winds

The winds that blow from each direction — a poetic, biblical way of describing God’s breath moving through creation.

3. The Four Corners of the Earth

A Hebrew and early Christian phrase — meaning “the whole world.” 

Regardless of the Christian tradition, the symbolism of the four quadrants is the same.

The symbol is a reminder of a Christian mystical worldview:

the world in its fourfold wholeness, held within the cross, and the Spirit moving through it.

• God at the centre,
• creation held in balance,
• and the soul invited into stillness.

Why are there two cosmic crosses entwined? - a double cross

The straight lines form the familiar cross that divides the circle into four quadrants.

The curved arcs inside each quadrant create a second, softer cross that overlays the first.

In Christian mystical symbolism, especially within Celtic Christianity, the straight cross represents structure — Christ at the centre, the world held in balance, the meeting of heaven and earth.

The curved cross expresses movement — breath, Spirit, the turning of seasons, the living presence of God within creation.

Together, the double cross effect suggests:

• the union of stillness and flow,
• the union of form and spirit,
• the union of the visible and the invisible.

It is a quiet reminder that the world is both held and enlivened by God. The world is ordered by Christ, and breathed through by the Spirit.

Why Glastonbury seems a likely location for this Christian mystical symbol

Why this fits Glastonbury.

Glastonbury Abbey grounds and town walkways contain several geometric markers that blend Christian and Celtic symbolism.

Glastonbury is one of the few places in Britain which saw the meeting of

• Celtic Christianity
• monastic Christianity
• contemplative Christianity
• symbolic Christian geometry

Glastonbury Catholic pilgrimage

Katherine:
I had the pleasure of going to Glastonbury once for the annual Catholic pilgrimage.

The age of some of the nuns and other congregants meant they had switched from climbing the Tor to walking through the town. It was a joyous event.

A protestant friend joined me in reciting decades of the rosary. By the end of the day he knew the Hail Mary prayer though has since forgotten it!

Procession was made to the Abbey for Solemn Benediction in the ruins of the Nave of the Abbey Church.

My little ministry of praying for friends who have died without children

Jay Ramsay (who took and gave me the photo above) passed some years ago now. His poetry lives on.

Perhaps in part because I myself don’t’ have offspring, I have a little ministry of praying for friends who have died without children. So I say hi to Jay sometimes and say the Eternal Rest prayer, and give him a smile.

Looking at this photo and discussing it as a christian mystical symbol gives me an excuse to do so today.

Rest in peace dear Jay.

Click below to read more about Christian mysticism in Britain or about my own journey as an English mystic.

Thank you for reading this article.
And thank you for being here.

With the Love we are,

Katherine

Katherine T Owen, webmaster at
www.a-spiritual-journey-of-healing.com
Author of Be Loved, Beloved (£1 or $1 approx on Kindle)
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