DOI: https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2025-5(1)-8-23
The World Tree as a symbol of the new capital: A semiotic analysis of the architectural image
Dinara Saikeneva
Кazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages
Almaty, Kazakhstan
ORCID: 0000-0002-0333-188X
ABSTRACT
This article examines the role of traditional symbols in the architecture of Kazakhstan’s new capital, viewed through the prism of a semiotic approach. The study focuses on the Baiterek monument, which embodies the image of the World Tree, a key element in the mythological and cultural heritage of the Kazakh nomadic civilization. The importance of studying this symbol lies in its ability to convey the worldview of nomadic culture in a modern urban environment. The relocation of the capital presented a unique opportunity to create an architectural and cultural image that combines traditional elements with contemporary ideas. Baiterek became the central element of this concept, embodying cultural meanings and political ideas related to the formation of a new national identity. This monument, symbolizing the axis of the world and the unity of the earthly and the heavenly, serves both a decorative and a semantic function, becoming an iconic element of the urban environment. The article examines how traditional symbols are reinterpreted and incorporated into architectural forms and their significance in creating a holistic image of the capital. The symbolic reinterpretation of ancient motifs within contemporary design exemplifies the dynamic interplay between memory and innovation, crafting a narrative that resonates with historical consciousness and future aspirations. The study emphasizes the importance of a semiotic approach to understanding architectural space as a communication system in which visual elements shape the collective perception of the city. In this context, Baiterek serves not only as a landmark but also as a robust cultural symbol that helps to strengthen national identity and convey traditional values through its architecture.
KEYWORDS: Baiterek monument, Astana, national identity, semiotics, political symbolism, nomadic heritage.
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Information about the author
Dinara K. Saikeneva
PhD (Chinese History),
Associate Professor of the Oriental Studies Department
Kazakh Ablai Khan University
of International Relations and World Languages
200, Muratbayeva, Almaty, 050022, Kazakhstan
ORCID: 0000-0002-0333-188X
e-mail: [email protected]
For citation:
Saikeneva, D. K. (2025). The World Tree as a symbol of the new capital: a semiotic analysis of the architectural image. Urbis et Orbis. Microhistory and Semiotics of the City, 5(1), 8–23. https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2025-5(1)-8-23
