Popular winter proverbs... Cold moments from the past creep into the present in human language

2023-12-12 2023-12-12T10:20:20Z

Weather of Arabia - Elders in villages and elsewhere commonly express their opinions and assertions using the famous proverb, “ The proverb says nothing is a lie,” which appears as a profound sentence of wisdom. This proverb reflects belief in the truthfulness of traditional sayings, and is considered part of the common heritage of Arab countries. The proverb “People first said nothing” is also used to confirm the truths that have been embodied over time and have become an example for the present. Proverbs are considered the jewels of the people’s rule, which in turn stem from accumulated experiences and expertise. Despite the decline in their use among young people, they still have a strong and constant influence in Popular memory. In this article, we will explore a group of popular winter proverbs that range from warning to wisdom.

Popular winter proverbs

In cold moments when the sound of the wind is loud and snow covers the ground, popular winter proverbs predict the coming of cold days, and tell old stories mixed with nostalgia for the past. They are cold moments from the past that nostalgically creep into the present, and are reduced to a popular saying or an old proverb, and transport us deeply to our heritage. .

In this context, the poet and journalist Joseph Abi Daher, author of the book “Ala Baraka,” which opens windows on popular customs in the Levant, presents a beautiful vision about the value of proverbs in summarizing the wisdom of life and its experiences, and stresses that these popular expressions combine the eloquence of the language and its spontaneity, so they enter souls. Without the need for a detailed explanation, it shows that proverbs were transmitted between generations directly before the advent of writing, and they carry with them wisdom that lives with us in our daily life experiences.

Further emphasizing the cultural comprehensiveness of proverbs, he points out that these sayings are similar in most countries of the world, and adds that they are considered life lessons that people have acquired through their experiences and daily lives, and that they are inspiring and educational for those who listen to them. In conclusion, Abu Daher highlights the similarity in proverbs among the inhabitants of these countries. countries and between different cultures and traditions, with some diversification in style of expression and language as a result of local influence and the dialect specific to each region.

Winter proverbs... Reflections on the rule of cold and the beauty of warmth

Many proverbs and phrases accompany the winter season, as the proverb “The cold cuts the nail” reflects the severity and cruelty of the cold.

People often believe that cold causes diseases, as it is said, “The cold is the cause of every illness,” which highlights the effect of cold weather on health.

The phrase “Al-Dafa (warmth), Affa (wellness), even in the height of summer” confirms that warmth plays a major role in preventing diseases, even in the hot summer season.

In another context, the phrase “fire is a winter fruit” expresses the importance of fire and firewood in the winter, as it was used as a means of heating and gathering the family around the fireplace. This phrase shows the beauty of family moments during this cold season.

Despite differences in dialects and expressions, popular proverbs in the Levant regions agree on the general content, and it seems that the spread of these expressions between regions is due to close geography and similar weather conditions, as well as social and commercial overlap between families and communities.

The cold months and their rule... The legacy of the Levant in the weather seasons

In the Levant, September is the month when the weather transitions to more moderate temperatures, sometimes mixing cold breezes with raindrops, making the proverb “September is wet with winter” expressing this fluctuation.

As the months of October and November enter, temperatures begin to drop, and the proverb “Charen’s cold is sharper than the beating of knives” applies to indicate the intensification of the cold, while the proverb “Between October and November is another (second) summer” describes the suddenly expected warmth in These two periods.

In the months of December and January , which often witness snowfall, popular sayings such as “In December, stay at home and increase your bread and oil,” are used to warn of the effects of frost.

At the end of the cold season, the last quarter of the year comes with the saying , “After the winter (rain) it becomes easy,” showing optimism about improving weather conditions.

The month of February is known for its interchange of popular expressions, as it is said , “February of rags,” “February that has no rags on it,” and “February is as old as rags and rags, the smell of summer in it,” referring to the approaching end of winter and the approaching of the spring season.

As for the month of March , it is known as “March of Treachery,” as people may be surprised by sudden weather fluctuations, and it is advised to “hide your big coals for March,” or “hide your big logs for your uncle March,” to leave the large firewood for the heating period in this month.

As for the month of April, it shows little rain, and it is said , “April winter revives (refreshes) man,” and “Winter in April is a gem that has no price,” highlighting the importance of these showers in renewing life and the beauty of nature.

At the conclusion of the journey of exploring popular winter proverbs, we find that these phrases are not just treasures of popular culture, but are considered cold moments from the past that creep into the present in human language. These proverbs reflect the experiences of our ancestors and their traditions in facing the cold seasons, and carry values and wisdom that are in harmony with our traditions and our daily life. The continued circulation of these phrases represents a vital connection between generations, as the language of proverbs continues to convey to us those cold moments, making the past winter warm moments in our hearts every time we invoke the wisdom of these phrases.