This unusual carving is located in the east wall of St Michael's church at Copgrove, North Yorkshire. The stone was originally built into the chancel wall inside the church, but it was removed during restoration work in the 19th century.
The church leaflet contains a short note about the stone " .....known as the Devil's Stone ..... of great antiquity probably of Romano- British origin"
The figure may be related to the Sheela-na-gig type "exhibitionist" carvings but this figure might be seen as male or female due to the relief carving of the outline.
The proportions of the figures head and neck seem rather odd and "alien" while the left leg appears to have been broken away in antiquity, but if the leg was bent back and up, (as if standing on one leg), then there may be traces of it below the left "elbow", in which case the left lower arm might be the devil's "tail".
The round object in the right hand (a bowl ?) is not readily identifiable, and the Tau cross or axe may be a later addition (Knights Templars used this type of cross?) but perhaps the biggest mystery is why was such a carving in the church?