Circled dot

The circled dot, circumpunct, or circle with a point at its centre is an ancient symbol. It can represent:

Solar system

• Solar symbol used to represent the Sun
• Solar mass (astronomy)
• The sun / Gold (Alchemical symbols)
• The sun / Ra (Egyptian hieroglyphs)
• The sun / a day (Chinese oracle script, the modern character being 日)

Religion and philosophy

• Keter (Kabbalah)
• Spirit (Ojibwa)

Language and linguistics

The nazar boncuğu symbol on a fixed-wing aircraft

• Bilabial clicks ʘ (International Phonetic Alphabet) (Unicode IPA Extensions)
• Hwair 𐍈 (Gothic alphabet) (Unicode Gothic)
• Tha 𑀣 (Brāhmī script) (Unicode Brahmi)
• Eye (Blissymbols)
• Fisheye ◉ (Unicode Geometric Shapes)
• Circled dot operator ⊙ (Unicode Mathematical Operators), and n-ary circled dot operator ⨀ (Unicode Supplemental Mathematical Operators)

Other uses

• A nazar is a circled-dot-shaped amulet believed to protect against the evil eye
• Center of pressure
• Mensuration sign for 9/8 meter 𝇇 (Unicode Musical Symbols)
• Used, or cancelled, stamp (philately)
• The trademark of the Target Corporation
• As a symbol of an Entered Apprentice Freemason^[1]
• City centre (European road-signs)
• End of trail. Gone home. (scouting)
• The Symbol of "Waterhole" in the Australian Aboroginies Symbol resembles the Circumpunct
• In Germany it is symbol for a "Gestempelte Briefmarke" (canceled stamp), while a star means "postfrisch" (mint Stamp)
• In geometry, it is often the symbol for a circle

See also

• The Lost Symbol - a novel by Dan Brown that uses this symbol.
• Dr. Manhattan - a character created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons for the graphic novel, Watchmen, has this symbol tattooed to his forehead to remind nations of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

References

1. Duncan, Malcom (1866). Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor or Guide to the Three Symbolic Degrees of the Ancient York Rite, and the Degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and the Royal Arch. New York: Dick & Fitzgerald.