When we read the proverbs of Modern Greek, various metaphrical expressions are referred to, among which, proverbs in which elements relating to "Animals", are both numerous and interesting. Animals in human society-play various roles; they are considered as friends, dangerous enemies, are sometimes harmful and are sometimes the objects of ridicule. Thus arising from a variety of meaning and viewed from appropriate perspectives,they are used as metaphorical objects.
In the two collections of proverbs, Rohlfs,G., Italogriechische Sprichwörter in linguistischer Konfrontation mit neugriechischen Dialekten, München, 1971 and Μιχαήλ, Μαρία-Δέδε, 2500 'Ελληνικές ΙΙαραιμίες (καί Λεγόμενα), 'ΑΘήνα, 1981, "Animals" have been widely used. Furthermore, when comparing Japanese and Greek proverbs, there is a richer use of the element "Animal" in Greek.
In the former collection (of 500 proverbs), in the top 40 elements ranked according to the frequency of use, 11 species of animals - Goat ,Donkey, Fox, Pig, Ox, Wolf etc. - have been used with a frequency of over 6 times. In the latter collection, Μιχαήλ has commented that proverbs connected with animals in Greek are abundant and have been the objects of metaphorical expression to Greek folk. He has also enumrated proverbs using the element "animal". When we see the element "animal" from the highest frequency of use there, the ranking is: Wolf, Donky, Ox, Cat, Pig, Fox, Horse etc. (totaly 28 species). From this we can surmise what kind of animals are closely connected with the Greek people and in which they have interest.
Next, we have extracted from these proverbs, the kinds of metaphors and images projected, for example; Wolf: (1)Unscrupulous or Vicious (2)Hungry (3)Group consciousness in wrong doing (4)Proud (5)Stubborn / Donkey: (1)Hard working (2)Patient (3)Stubborn (4)Rude / Ox: (1)Strong (2)Stupid / Cat: (1)Has claws (Dangerous) (2)Ability to survive (Tenacious) / Pig: (1)Dirty (2)Greedy (3)Possesses good maternal instincts/ etc. and the characteristic features thus could be observed
