The traditional Mongolian writing period: When creativity and style were natural

This paper examines allegory as a multifaceted linguistic and cognitive phenomenon with four primary functions: (i) the naming and visualization of complex abstract phenomena beyond conventional verbal expression; (ii) the articulation of ineffable concepts through symbolic representation; (iii) the preservation of truth and conceptual integrity against misinterpretation; and (iv) the facilitation of precise comprehension in religious and philosophical discourse. The study situates allegory within the historical development of human language, positing that its emergence follows the establishment of both oral and written communication systems. Early linguistic stages relied heavily on direct symbolic representation, wherein words themselves functioned as primary signifiers. This phenomenon is exemplified in the Mongolian national script, which preserves traces of this foundational linguistic paradigm. By analysing allegory’s dual role as both a communicative tool and a protective mechanism for meaning, this research contributes to broader discussions in semiotics, cognitive linguistics, and the philosophy of language.