This study explores the cognitive mechanisms underlying the formation of zoomorphic imagery in human cognition. Drawing on examples from the French language, the article analyzes how metaphorical modeling, cognitive projection, associative reasoning, categorization, and inferential logic shape animal-based symbolic representations. These cognitive mechanisms collectively contribute to the conceptualization and linguistic expression of animal traits as human characteristics. Through culturally embedded metaphorical structures, the study highlights how animal imagery conveys social, emotional, and evaluative meanings. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of conceptual metaphor and cognitive semantics in cross-cultural contexts.  

Cognitive mechanisms, Zoomorphic imagery, Metaphorical modeling

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