LINGUISTIC EMBODIMENTS OF BEAUTY ACROSS DIVERSE CULTURES

Being one of the fundamental notions in Cognitive Linguistics, concept is a mental unit formed in the human mind and combining knowledge about a particular object, event or phenomenon. From this perspective it is evaluated as a link between language and culture, reflecting the ways in which people perceive and interpret the world. The concept of “beauty” encompasses not only aesthetic but also ethical, philosophical, and cultural content. This article examines how the concept of “beauty” is expressed in different languages and cultures. By comparing metaphors, phraseological units, and proverbs used to express beauty, study reveals that beauty is not merely an aesthetic category but also a linguo-cultural phenomenon that reflects the values, worldview, and cultural experience of a particular society. Across cultures, the concept of beauty is also associated with gender. If in traditional societies, female beauty was characterized more by appearance, this perception has changed in modern times. In Azerbaijani culture, the concept of beauty encompasses both appearance and moral qualities. In folk literature, epics, and classical poetry, beauty is associated with a person's inner world as well as their outward attractiveness.