Abstract
We introduce discrete multivortex solitons in a ring of nonlinear oscillators coupled to a central site. Regular clusters of discrete vortices appear as a result of mode collisions, and we show that their stability is determined by global symmetries rather than the stability of constituent vortices. Stable multivortex solitons support complex vortex dynamics including charge flipping and spiraling. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America