The symbolic meaning of animals in Tatar and Chinese proverbs and sayings from an etymological point of view

Kabirova Zemfira Zufarovna

Since ancient times, human life has been closely connected with animals. During life, a person develops a positive or negative attitude towards a certain animal, an associative image associated with certain feelings. Gradually, among representatives of different nations, the image of the animal acquires a symbolic meaning. In various national cultures, the symbolic meanings of animals have both similarities and differences, which is most clearly reflected in proverbs and sayings. There are a huge number of proverbs and sayings in the Tatar and Chinese languages including the names of animals, and each of them has its own national characteristics. This article investigates the symbolic meaning of animals in Tatar and Chinese proverbs and sayings from an etymological point of view, i.e. human perception, characteristics of the animals, natural and geographical environment, historical and cultural background.

Keywords:Tatar culture, Chinese culture, proverbs, sayings, animals, symbolic meaning, etymology.