This paper proposes a 3-D pose (positions and orientations) estimation system based on the recognition of circular ring patterns. To deal with monocular vision-based pose estimation problem, we specially design a circular ring pattern that has a simplicity merit in view of object recognition. A pose estimation procedure is described in detail, which utilizes the geometric transformation of a circular ring pattern in 2-D perspective projection space. The proposed method is evaluated through the analysis of accuracy and precision with respect to 3-D pose estimation of a quadrotor-type vehicle in 3-D space.