Symbol Trees as a Reflection of the National Mentality Arab Peoples

Abstract

Man is a part of nature. And as an integral part of it, he lives and interacts with its other creations — plants and animals, mountains, rivers and seas, deserts, steppes. Depending on the conditions of the environment and, in this regard, the main forms and type of activity, a person identifies those natural objects on which his well-being, and sometimes his very existence, depends most of all. In this sense, the plant and animal world is the most important part of nature, from which he draws everything necessary for his life. Plants and animals give people food, shelter, clothing, medicines, protection and aesthetic pleasure. But among all the diversity of plant and animal species, each national culture chooses only some that become its national symbol, personifying the most important features for this people. For the Arab-Muslim society, palm, olive, coffee became such symbols, and for a single country — Lebanon — cedar. The article is devoted to some of them in the light of the traditions and customs of the Arabs, their folklore, religious beliefs based on myths, fairy tales, proverbs, sayings and other works. The two most widespread trees in the Arab world are represented most fully and at all levels of national consciousness — religious, poetic, folklore. These are palm and olive trees. They are not only repeatedly found in sacred texts and various legends. These plants, about which there are also many proverbs, sayings and phraseological units, have become expressions of Arab ideas about the most essential qualities and values that play a primary role in the life of Arab society. In cross-cultural communication, knowledge of such material and its skillful use can contribute to the establishment of close friendly contacts and the establishment of communication.