The concept “ko‘z” (eye) constitutes one of the fundamental and culturally salient units within the Uzbek linguistic worldview. Far exceeding its primary physiological function, ko‘z operates as a multilayered cognitive construct that encodes perceptual, emotional, ethical, aesthetic, and spiritual meanings. In Uzbek culture, the eye functions as a symbolic medium through which individuals interpret human character, express social relations, regulate communicative behaviour, and conceptualize moral-spiritual values. The present study offers a comprehensive examination of the semantic architecture and linguocultural specificity of the concept “ko‘z” by drawing on key theoretical frameworks in cognitive linguistics and cultural semiotics, particularly the works of Popova and Sternin on conceptual structure, Karasik’s cultural discourse theory, and Lotman’s semiotic space.

Using data from Uzbek phraseology, proverbs, classical literature, folklore, and everyday communicative practices, the analysis demonstrates that ko‘z represents a culturally encoded mechanism for modelling perception, moral evaluation, emotional transparency, social hierarchy, modesty norms, and spiritual insight. The findings reveal that the concept “ko‘z” plays a central role in constructing the symbolic universe of the Uzbek people, reflecting deeply ingrained national mentality, collective memory, and value orientations. As such, the study contributes to a broader understanding of how culturally significant concepts structure linguistic consciousness and mediate the relationship between language, culture, and cognition in the Uzbek context.

Cognitive linguistics, concept “ko‘z”, cultural semantics, linguoculture

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