MYTHOLOGICAL CONTENT OF THE STAR SYMBOL IN ENGLISH LINGUISTIC CULTURE

Moshina E. A., Bakirova A. A., Shershukova N. V.

The article explores the essence of the symbol as a sign that combines material and ideal nature. Symbols are affirmed as special linguistic signs that point to something greater than themselves through the condensation of the signified matter. The study also appeals to the connection between symbols and myths, noting that the meaning of a symbol is established through the reference to a myth and represents a concept based on the image embedded in the myth. By the analysis of the metaphorical collocations of the lexeme ‘star’, we made an attempt to determine the semantic components that do not constitute the basis of the nomination of the given object of reality and do not have their own referent. These components are based on mythological images, making these meanings symbolic. The research methodology involves etymological analysis of the word ‘star’ to identify motivating features of the concept of STAR, analysis of the semantic structure of the lexeme ‘star’ to reveal potential mythological semes, as well as the method of interpretation of metaphorical combinations and idiomatic expressions to identify symbolic features of the concept of STAR. The analysis of metaphorical combinations with the lexeme ‘star’ allowed to identify potential semes such as ‘god’, ‘fate’, ‘eternity’, ‘hope’, ‘world’ implicitly embedded in the analyzed lexeme through reliance on mythology. The results of the study will be useful for linguistic, semiotic, and cultural studies, providing a better understanding of the nature of symbols and their connection to mythology.

Keywords:symbol; sign; myth; metaphor; image; potential seme; symbolic feature.