HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE ANTHROPOCENTRIC SYMBOL SYSTEM

Аннотация

The anthropocentric symbol system is foundational to human meaning-making, encompassing symbolic hierarchies from perceptual experience to abstract philosophical constructs. This study explores these hierarchies using semiotics, cognitive linguistics, and cultural anthropology, emphasizing examples from Uzbek cultural practices. The analysis reveals five key symbolic levels—perceptual, linguistic, cognitive, cultural, and meta- symbolic—and illustrates how each depends on human perception and cultural frameworks. Cultural examples such as Uzbek proverbs, embroidery patterns, and epics like Alpomish highlight howsymbols are embedded and transmitted across levels. Thefindings underscore the recursive nature of human symbolic systems and their role in constructing and navigating reality. Keywords: anthropocentrism, symbol systems, Uzbek culture, cognitive linguistics, semiotics, cultural symbols, metaphor