Ringed cross

The nimbus or ringed shape was appended to the Christian cross and other symbols relatively early.

Notable early examples include the cosmological ringed cross in the 5th-century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and the 6th-century Crux Gemmata in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe.

It is a Latin cross featuring a nimbus surrounding the intersection of the stem and arms.

They are found mainly in the western part of France: in Brittany, Normandy, Limousin as far as Auvergne in the centre.

[7][8] A form of ringed cross, similar to Celtic variant and frequently associated to knots and interlaced designs, is found in Galicia in Spain, often topping horreos (granaries) as a protective measure against any kind of evil.

[9] They can also be found atop churches and, since the beginning of the 20th century, in cemeteries, but they are unusual in cruceiros (high crosses).

[11][12] There is an example of a circled cross in the cemetery around the 13th-century Saha Chapel in North Estonia.