THE CONCEPT OF NUMBER AND ITS ROLE IN THE FOLK WORLDVIEW

Abstract

Phraseologisms, proverbs, and aphorisms have emerged based on numbers. The number “one” is interpreted as a sign signifying wholeness and unity, “two” as opposition, and “three” as perfection. In the minds of the people, however, numbers become not only abstract logical units but also symbolic concepts formed on the basis of life experience. The article provides insights into the role of numbers with special symbolic meaning in the culture of each nation, as well as the use of the numbers “one,” “three,” “seven,” and “forty” within phraseological units, and their place in the worldview of the people.