Abstract: | A nonparametric test for circular symmetry about 0 in a continuous bivariate distribution is proposed. The test is of the von Mises type, based on the empirical cdf of the sample, expressed in polar co-ordinates. However, the test is independent of the choice of the polar axis. The asymptotic form of the test statistic is obtained by considering the weak convergence of the empirical process to a limiting Gaussian process. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is found explicitly, both under the null hypothesis and under simple alternatives. The test is shown to be consistent against all alternatives. |