Abstract
The article explores the development of the Karakalpak ethnocultural tradition as a complex, multi-layered process shaped by socio-economic transformations and long-term interaction with the cultural systems of the Eurasian steppe. Using a comparative analysis of archaeological and ethnographic sources, the study identifies stable symbolic structures that have persisted in Karakalpak material culture over centuries. Special attention is given to zoomorphic and cosmological motifs—particularly fish, horns, and the S-shaped sign—whose transformations reflect changes in lifestyle, economic practices, and artistic traditions. From the sixteenth century onward, the Karakalpaks gradually adopted a semi-sedentary lifestyle that combined livestock breeding, fishing, and agriculture. Within this context, fish symbolism maintained a distinct mythopoetic significance closely connected to the environmental conditions of the lower Syr Darya and Amu Darya deltas, where fishing played a central role in cultural identity. Comparative analysis of Karakalpak ornamental complexes alongside those of other ethnogenetic layers—such as Saka-Massagetae, Alano-Sarmatian, Oghuz, Ancient Nogai, and Ural-Yembi—reveals shared symbolic forms. However, Karakalpaks are distinguished by a strong concentration of aquatic motifs integrated into a coherent cosmological system. Artefacts, including metal mirrors, ceramics, and fishing tools, demonstrate the continuity of magical and protective symbolism, while horned and cross-shaped motifs acquire shamanic and ritual meanings. The S-shaped sign functions as a universal symbol linking ancient cosmological models with contemporary decorative traditions, highlighting the continuity of cultural memory and identity.