The Transformation of Lake Van into a Cultural Symbol

This study investigates how Lake Van, the largest lake in Türkiye, has been transformed from a physical landscape into a cultural symbol imbued with shared meaning. It asks how and why Lake Van’s symbolism evolved and identifies the socio-cultural processes driving this change. Adopting an interpretive qualitative approach in cultural sociology, the research draws on Émile Durkheim’s theory of collective representations, Clifford Geertz’s interpretive anthropology, and Jeffrey C. Alexander’s strong program as a theoretical framework. The analysis centers on diverse narratives and practices surrounding Lake Van – including the Van Lake Monster legend, the Akdamar Island love story, the endemic pearl mullet’s annual migration, local conservation efforts, and media/tourism representations – to understand how cultural narratives endow the natural environment with significance. The findings reveal that these collective narratives have elevated Lake Van to the status of a sublime symbol of regional identity. This symbolic transformation has strengthened social cohesion and local pride, while also spurring cultural tourism and bolstering environmental stewardship. Ultimately, Lake Van’s case exemplifies the dynamic interplay between cultural narrative and social reality in the making of collective symbols.