On the cover of Charles Hartshorne's Creative Synthesis and Philosophic Method published by SCM Press (London 1970) there is this symbol
A Google image search suggests that this is called a Christus Rex, made up of a crown at the top, the cross and a circle below (my interpretation). Am I correct in saying this? What does each part mean, especially the circle? Does anyone know the origin of this symbol? I could not find any direct documentation of this symbol. Any reference highly appreciated
Reportedly there was an earlier spotting of the symbol on the 1960 hardcover edition of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Ethics. I have not been able to find it.
This source says it probably a much older symbol, possibly of Lutheran Origin. The Latin means "Christ the King".
It depicts a Crown of Thorns on the Cross, which is over the world. The world is partly distorted/unfinished to represent the lack of satisfaction this temporary place brings. In some instances a drop of blood can be seen, representing Christ's blood covering the world in grace.
If so, one might think of it as a vertical rendering this the symbol, below, with the addition of a circle representing the world.:
I cannot vouch for the above, but it makes sense.
