Gil (‘wind’) as a linguocultural symbol in the Tatar linguistic consciousness (based on proverbs)

The article is devoted to the linguocultural study of the concept zhil (‘wind’) based on Tatar proverbs, in which the concept under study is verbalized as a reflection of national consciousness and culture. This element is one of the universal categories of the conceptual picture of the world. The study of concepts in the paremiological system provides a better understanding of ethnic consciousness and mentality as the reproduction of a paremiological unit creates a certain image in the mind of a native speaker. This article considers the symbolic understanding of wind in the Tatar linguistic consciousness taking into account its characteristic features, such as air movement, strength, elusiveness, possible harm and wind energy. In the minds of the Tatars, the wind is perceived not only as the embodiment of everyday problems, poverty and hunger, but also as a powerful force that relieves grievances and sorrows, heals people’s body and soul. In Tatar proverbs, one can also define the functions of the wind: it can lead to the loss or destruction of something, acts as an intermediary for the transmission of information and brings good luck. In the article, zhil (‘wind’) as a linguocultural concept, is interpreted in conceptual, figurative and axiological aspects.