Images-symbols of the elements in the phraseological linguistic picture of the world (based on the Ukrainian language)

Grozyan Nina Fedorovna Doctor of Philology Associate Professor; Department of Russian and Ukrainian Philology; Crimean Engineering and Pedagogical University named after Fevzi Yakubov 295015, Russia, Republic of Crimea, Simferopol, lane Educational, 8 n.f.grozyan@mail.ru Other publications by this author     Prudnikova Tatiana Ivanovna PhD in Philology Associate Professor, Department of Russian and Ukrainian Philology, Crimean Engineering and Pedagogical University named after Fevzi Yakubov 295047, Russia, Republic of Crimea, Simferopol, Heroes of Stalingrad str., 9, sq. 60 t.i.prudnikova@inbox.ru Other publications by this author

Nepomnyaschaya Anna Romanovna Master's degree; Higher School of Russian and Ukrainian Philology; GBOUVO RK 'Crimean Engineering and Pedagogical University named after Fevzi Yakubov' 295015, Russia, Republic of Crimea region, Simferopol, Uchebny lane, 8 anikatrixy@mail.ru

Phraseological units (FE) are groups of phrases that have a stable lexical and grammatical composition and a specific meaning different from the meaning of individual components. A number of studies are devoted to the phraseological picture of the world of different languages: N. V. Basko ^[1], A. Vezhbitskaya ^[2], A. A. Dzhelilov ^[3], M. E. Zhukova ^[4], M. L. Kovshova ^[5], V. A. Maslova ^[6], F. H. Sulaeva ^[7], R. H. Khairullina ^[8], L. T. Yuchkovskaya ^[9] and others.

The foundations of the study of phraseological units were laid in the works of F. I. Buslaev, A. A. Potebni, I. I. Sreznevsky, A. A. Shakhmatov. Their legacy was developed by N. F. Alefirenko, V. L. Arkhangelsky, A.M. Babkin, V. V. Vinogradov, V. P. Zhukov, B. A. Larin, V. M. Mokienko, A. I. Molotkov, V. N. Telia, N. M. Shansky, N. M. Emirova, etc.

The subject of the study is the peculiarities of the implementation of symbolic meanings of images-symbols of the elements in the phraseological picture of the world based on the material of the Ukrainian language.

The research methodology is based on a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches using methods of analysis, generalization and synthesis.

The purpose of the study is to identify the characteristic manifestations of the realization of symbolic meanings of images–symbols of the elements water, fire and earth in the phraseological picture of the world using the example of the Ukrainian language.

In recent decades, there has been an interest in linguistics in the study of languages as a projection of the national worldview. In this regard, the term "worldview" arose, which is usually understood as an integral, global image of the world, which is the result of all human spiritual activity, all his contacts with the world – everyday contacts, subject-practical activities, contemplation of the world ^{[10, p. 19]}. For the first time, reflection on this term is found in the German geographer and traveler V. Von Humboldt, where he noted that language is closely related to folk culture: "language is its spirit, and the spirit of the people is its language, and it is difficult to imagine something more identical" ^{[11, p. 48]}.

The picture of the world is reflected in language, which allows us to talk about the linguistic picture of the world (YAKM). M. V. Pimenova defined the "linguistic picture of the world" as "... a set of knowledge about the world reflected in language, as well as ways of obtaining and interpreting new knowledge" ^{[12, p. 9]}. With this approach, speech is considered as a certain conceptual system and a means of forming a conceptual system of knowledge about the world.

In modern research, the phraseological picture of the world (FCM) is understood as a part of an integral system described by means of phraseology, in which each FE is an element of a strict system and performs certain functions in describing the realities of the surrounding reality ^{[13, p. 50]}.

The symbol plays a key role in the formation of phraseological units. A symbol in the context of phraseology is a specific image, object, or phenomenon that is used to convey a certain meaning or concept. It can be either a specific object, such as a "heart" or a "wing", or an abstract concept, such as "love" or "freedom".

Phraseological units are formed by transferring the meaning of a symbol to other words in an expression. This transfer of meaning is based on the associative relationships between the symbol and the words that form the expression. For example, the phraseologism concave with sword – fire and sword ^{[14, p. 119]} uses the image-symbol fire to convey the meaning "mercilessly; with great cruelty".

Symbols in phraseological units can be recognized and understood by native speakers due to their cultural and historical context. They are key components of phraseological meaning and help to convey complex concepts and emotions in a concise and expressive form. "The symbolic components of phraseological units do not just reflect the ideas of the people, their beliefs, value orientations, do not just name its components, they rather interpret the world, evaluate it" ^{[15, p. 137]}. The symbolic basis defines the features of the meaning of phraseological expressions, making them contextually dependent and relatively unpredictable.

Water is not only a necessary condition for maintaining life on earth, but also a powerful symbol with many meanings: life, purity, and a source of energy. The symbolic meaning of the image-symbol of water in phraseological units has deep roots in the culture of the people. Many Ukrainian phraseological units with the image-symbol of water have deep roots in peasant life and are associated with work. This connection arose because of the important role that water played in everyday life: for drinking, cooking, watering the garden and even for industry ^{[16, p. 225]}.

The image-symbol of water can mean the uncontrollability of the elements (water can be strong, stormy and uncontrollable) and have a symbolic meaning of change. Rivers and oceans are always moving, changing their shape and direction of flow. Life is also full of changes and surprises: to start with cold water is like pouring cold water ^{[14, p. 445]}. At the same time, phraseological units with the image-symbol water can also convey a negative meaning. Another symbolic meaning of the water symbol image in the FCM is danger and destructiveness. Phraseological units with this meaning can be used to describe unsafe situations that threaten destruction, anxiety: a storm near a bottle of water is a storm in a glass of water^{[14, p. 48]}. The combination of axiological meanings testifies to the deep ambivalence that the image-symbol of water in the FCM has.

Phraseological units with the image-symbol water in the amount of 71 FE were selected from the Dictionary of phraseological units of the Ukrainian language ^[14] by a continuous sampling method. As a result of the analysis of phraseological material, the following characteristic manifestations of the realizations of symbolic meanings of phraseological units of the Ukrainian language with the image-symbol of water were revealed (Fig. 1):

1) human condition (19%): if you feel water, you feel like a fish in water ^{[14, p. 598]}, there is no washed water – there is no washed water ^{[14, p. 432]}, if you do not stir up water, it will not stir up water ^{[14, p. 249]}, yak (mov, beginning) in the water of omissions – as (as if) lowered into the water ^{[14, p. 468]}, yak (mov, beginning) [cold] pouring water – like (as if) [cold] water was poured over ^{[14, p. 453]}, yak (mov, not more) poured cold water (water with ice) – as (as if) they poured cold water (ice water) ^{[14, p. 334]}, yak (mov, nibi) buying from dead water – as (as if) bathed in dead water ^{[14, p. 660]}, yak (mov, nibi) at the water of soaking – as (as if) soaked in water ^{[14, p. 423]}, [i] in a spoon of water you do not sleep – [and] you will not catch in a spoon of water ^{[14, p. 681]}, if you want to go to the bridge / burn into the water, even from the bridge / mountain into the water ^{[14, p. 409]}, etc.;

2) time (8%): how to get out of the water ^{[14, p. 284]}, how to get out of the water – how to look into the water ^{[14, p. 199]}, bagato (chimalo) water splashed (splashed, splashed, leaked) – a lot (a lot) of water surfaced (it sailed away, ran away) ^{[14, p. 22]}, like water – like out of water ^{[14, p. 121]}, go for water – go for water ^{[14, p. 279]}, etc.;

3) the action or rather inaction (36%): pass [krzi] water fire - [- MDN sound] – pass [through] fire and water and copper pipes] ^{[14, p. 574]}, hi for cold water – not cold water ^{[14, p. 122]}, touchy water in stop – pound water in a mortar ^{[14, p. 714]}, Calamuchita water – muddy water ^{[14, p. 285]}, Yak (MOV, NBI , TA I n.) water in the mouth nabrati – as (like) the water in your mouth to gain ^{[14, p. 416]}, CNC from the water of hawati – ends in the water to hide ^{[14, p. 747]}, loviti Riboud in Kalamoti VOD – to fish in troubled water ^{[14, p. 532]}, lithium water on Mlyn – to grist to the mill ^{[14, p. 336]}, pitchfork on VOD written – by pitchfork on the water written by ^{[14, p. 502]}, vyhodite dry s VOD to get away with it ^{[14, p. 93]}, lithium water – pouring water ^{[14, p. 336]}, Yak (MOV, NACE) cold water abdati – as (like) cold water rinse ^{[14, p. 445]}, lsti from the water, not znayuchi Ford – go into the water, not knowing the Ford ^{[14, p. 346]}, an (mrate) water with a sieve – wear (measured) water with a sieve ^{[14, p. 440]}, pluti, where the water swimming, where the water is ^{[14, p. 119-120]}, sieve from VOD zirki of levity – sieve in the water to catch the stars ^{[14, p. 353]}, topiti in lots water – drown in a spoonful of water ^{[14, p. 121]}, lithium cold water [for coal] to pour cold water [by the collar] ^{[14, p. 336]}, ) CNTs in water and ends in the water ^{[14, p. 296]}, etc.;

4) death, death (3%): if water is taken, water is taken ^{[14, p. 120]}, and water becomes holy, and water becomes holy ^{[14, p. 121]}, etc.;

5) relationships between people (9%): the tenth (sioma) water on the jelly is the tenth (seventh) water on the jelly ^{[14, p. 121]}, mov riba with water is like a fish with water ^{[14, p. 597]}, if you want to pour with water, at least pour with water ^{[14, p. 611]}, skip [i] at the vogon i in water – to jump [and] into fire and into water ^{[14, p. 654]}, etc.;

6) oblivion, the fleetingness of all things (12%): to go (run away) for water ^{[14, p. 516]}, yak (mov, start) a leaf for water – like (as if) a letter for water ^{[14, p. 335]}, yak (mov, begin) to fall into the water (kanuti) / fall – how (as if) to fall into the water (sink) / fall ^{[14, p. 127]}, yak (mov, nibi) after the water, how (as if) to go after the water ^{[14, p. 284]}, yak (mov, nibi) kamin in water is like (like) a stone in water ^{[14, p. 287]}, yak silt in water is like salt in water ^{[14, p. 652]}, yak in a sieve of water is like in a sieve of water ^{[14, p. 121]}, etc.;

7) truthfulness, honesty (4%): as pure (pure) water – as pure (purest) water ^{[14, p. 121]}, vivodity / vivesti to clean (fresh) water – to bring out / bring out to clean (fresh) water ^{[14, p. 66]}, viplivati / viplisti to clean water – to swim out / swim out to clean water ^{[14, p. 80]}, etc.;

8) disorder (1%): kalamutiti / scalamutiti water – muddy / muddy water ^{[14, p. 285]}, etc.;

9) destruction (1%): bursting / bursting, yak (mov, nibi) milna bulka (bulbashka, bathhouse) on the water – burst like (like) a soap bubble (bubble) on the water ^{[14, p. 354]} and others.;

10) similarity (1%): yak (mov, nibi) dvi krapli (drop) water; yak kraplya (drop) water – like (like) two drops of water; like a drop of water ^{[14, p. 311]}, etc.;

11) comfort, home (1%): on clear dawns, on quiet waters – on clear dawns, on quiet waters ^{[14, p. 271]}, etc.;

12) need (3%): to get by on water (for silt, for kvass) – to get by on bread (from chowder) for water (for salt, for kvass) ^{[14, p. 489]}, etc.;

13) spores (1%): a storm in a bottle of water – a storm in a glass of water ^{[14, p. 48]}, etc.

Figure 1. Symbolic meanings of the water symbol image in phraseological units of the Ukrainian language

Fire is one of the most ancient and powerful symbols, which throughout the history of mankind has embodied many meanings and concepts. According to the ancient cosmogonic ideas of the Slavs, fire is a primitive male matter, a powerful and incomprehensible element that, combined with water and light, formed everything on earth ^{[17, p. 46]}. The ritual worship of fire gradually gained forms of verbal symbolism, led to the creation of numerous figurative and metaphorical contexts with the image-symbol of fire, conveying a fairly wide palette of meanings.

In explanatory dictionaries, 10 lexical and semantic variants are distinguished, forming a four-level model of the structure of the image-symbol fire. The flame has many derivatives (fire, fire-breathing, flame, flammable, etc.), many sayings and phraseological units are associated with it. The very concept of "fire" has an Indo-European origin, some researchers prove its kinship with the word "coal".

There was no single view regarding the origin of fire. So, residents of Zhytomyr county treated fire as an angel and said that it comes from stones. In Podillia, in some areas, the invention of fire was attributed to the devil, in others to the Hebrew king Solomon. According to some beliefs, the emergence of fire was associated with the earthly life of Christ (Lutsk county); there are other legends (Prometheus Vogon – Prometheus fire^{[14, p. 120]}).

Fire has long been an object of worship among all peoples, a symbol of God's power; our ancient ancestors believed that fire was a manifestation of the solar god on earth, the ambassador of Heaven to earth. Fire has a charitable and cleansing and protective power (therefore, they jump over it on Kupala night, ignite it on the eve of Great Thursday, the night before Easter ^{[18, pp. 104-105]}.

In the FKM, fire personified life, the joys of being, it brings purification from all the old, unnecessary; it is a symbol of renewal, freedom, victory, opposed to the idea of darkness as despondency, death. But at the same time, fire is vindictive, it is of a terrible, irresistible force capable of burning all living things ^{[19, pp. 148-149]}.

Phraseological units with the image-symbol fire in the amount of 52 FE were selected from the Dictionary of phraseological units of the Ukrainian language ^[14] by a continuous sampling method. As a result of the analysis of phraseological material, the following characteristic manifestations of the realizations of symbolic meanings of phraseological units of the Ukrainian language with the image-symbol fire were revealed (Fig. 2):

1) destructive or dangerous force (17%): the element of a purifying flame, carrying light and heat, embodies a formidable, violent flame that threatens death and destruction: gratice with a concave – to play with fire ^{[14, p. 166]}, wiclicati concave on yourself – to cause fire on yourself ^{[14, p. 73]} and others .;

2) speed (8%): yak (mov, not more) vhopiti – how (as if) to grasp fire ^{[14, p. 144]}, etc.;

3) painful condition (2%): concave burning – burning with fire ^{[14, p. 161]}, etc.;

4) self–sacrifice (6%): jump [i] into the water - jump [i] into the fire and into the water ^{[14, p. 654]}, etc.;

5) suffering (6%): let's go in – burn with fire ^{[14, p. 481]}, let's go in – like fire ^{[14, p. 119]}, etc.;

6) anger (12%): let's breathe dihati – breathe fire ^{[14, p. 200]}, hai vono (vin, vona) [clear] let's burn – let it (he, she) It burns with [clear] fire^{[14, p. 161]}, etc.;

7) strong feelings (6%): eyes burned with [hot] concave – eyes burned with [hot] fire ^{[14, pp. 476-477]}, [already] we are concave (half–hearted) - [already] puffing with fire (flame) ^{[14, p. 487]}, etc.;

8) strengthening of feelings (15%): add oil to the vogon – add oil to the fire ^{[14, p. 509]}, add heat to the vogon – add heat to the fire^{[14, p. 120]}, add oil to the vogon – add fire ^{[14, p. 508]}, etc.;

9) reproaches (2%): cook without concave – cook without fire ^{[14, p. 51]}, etc.;

10) dynamic external sign (4%): concave burning – to burn with fire ^{[14, p. 161]}, [already] pasty concave (half–hearted) - [already] to puff with fire (flame) ^{[14, p. 487]}, etc.;

11) elevation, admiration (4%): with a concave (with a concave) – with fire (with a light) ^{[14, p. 120]}, without a concave – without a light ^{[14, p. 120]}, etc.;

12) high aspirations of a person (2%): book reminiscence of an ancient legend: Prometheus Vogon – Prometheus fire ^{[14, p. 120]}, etc.;

13) tests (8%): to pass [crease] into the water [and into the pipe] – to pass [through] fire and water [and copper pipes] ^{[14, p. 574]}, to enter (through the heat) [that] in a half–way - out of the fire (less often from heat) [and] into the flame ^{[14, p. 120]}, etc.;

14) comfort, native home (4%): on the stove – on the light ^{[14, p. 119]}, home (rodinne, simeine) sink – home (family) hearth ^{[14, p. 120]}, etc.;

15) stubbornness, intransigence (2%): if you want to open the oven on the stove, you can even cut the oven on fire ^{[14, p. 598]}, etc.;

16) search (4%): to look for such people in the daytime with fire (and even with light, in the sun), ^{[14, p. 553]}, [in the afternoon] with a candle, with candles) do not know – [in the daytime] with fire (with a candle, with candles) can not be found ^{[14, p. 268]}, etc.

Figure 2. Symbolic meanings of the fire symbol image in phraseological units of the Ukrainian language

The earth is one of the most important symbols in the culture and mythology of the Slavic peoples. It occupies a central place in the beliefs and rituals of the Slavs. In the Slavic FKM, the earth has many aspects, from physical nature to spiritual.

In the Bible, the earth symbol represents an earthly paradise in which peace, justice and divine blessing reign. For example, the earth is inhabited – the promised land ^{[14, p. 263]} has a biblical origin. In the "Old Testament", this was the name of Palestine, which God promised to the Jewish people for their loyalty and devotion. The promised land was presented as a place of universal happiness and prosperity, where milk rivers flow with jelly banks. At the same time, in the biblical interpretation, the Earth symbolizes earthly life. It is a place of trials, struggle and labor. FEZ roshuvati / wisdom [his] then the land – to irrigate / irrigate [his] then the land ^{[14, p. 273]} indicates that a person works hard and spends a lot of effort, labor, cultivating the land.

The image-symbol of the earth plays a special role in the context of funeral rites. The connection with the earth in the funeral rites of the Ukrainian people reflects respect for their ancestors, cultural heritage and strong ties with nature. The earth is considered not only a source of life, but also a place where the human soul passes into the afterlife. Being married to an orphan land – getting married to a raw land ^{[14, p. 525]} is marked by the use of figurative thinking, where the word "getting married" should figuratively mean death or transition to another life.

Worries about the departure of a loved one are associated not only with a sense of loss, but also with the belief in continuing life in another world. Ukrainians pay special attention to the graves of the deceased, which are considered as sacred places where the soul of the deceased can find solace. At the same time, the earth is considered a kind of repository for the souls of the dead. Etymology of phraseology (hai, nehai) the earth [will be] down (with a feather) to // nehai the earth [will be] puffy (light) – (let, let) the earth [will be] down (with a feather) to // Let the earth [be] plump (light)^{[14, p. 263]} is associated with the ancient tradition of saying goodbye to the deceased during burials. This phrase is used as an expression of sympathy and wishes for the deceased to rest in eternal peace.

The salt of the earth ^{[14, p. 650]} has deep historical roots and reflects important aspects of culture and society. The origin of this phraseology is associated with ancient times, when salt was one of the most valuable goods necessary for life. In ancient civilizations, salt was used as a preservative to preserve food, as well as to pay for services and goods.

Phraseological units with the image-symbol earth in the amount of 77 FE were selected from the Dictionary of phraseological units of the Ukrainian language ^[14] by a continuous sampling method. As a result of the analysis of phraseological material, the following characteristic manifestations of the realizations of symbolic meanings of phraseological units of the Ukrainian language with the image-symbol earth were revealed (Fig. 3):

1) social status (3%): navel of the earth – navel of the earth ^{[14, p. 583]}, etc.;

2) hard work (1%): to irrigate / irrigate the land (with one's own) then the land ^{[14, p. 273]}, etc.;

3) human character trait (1%): language to the earth – language to the earth ^{[14, p. 785]}, etc.;

4) respect (3%): evade / evade to the earth – worship / bow to the earth ^{[14, p. 734]}, give / give a bow to the earth (uklin) – give / give a bow to the earth ^{[14, p. 99]}, etc.;

5) the opposite (1%): as the sky is from the earth – as the sky is from the earth ^{[14, p. 429]}, etc.;

6) indifference (1%): evil against the earth – evil / disaster against the earth ^{[14, p. 338]}, etc.;

7) color (1%): how to land / fall down – how to land / fall down ^{[14, p. 565]}, etc.;

8) man (1%): the king of the earth is the king of the earth ^{[14, p. 754]}, etc.;

9) death, death (18%): in the holy land, rot – in the damp earth to rot ^{[14, p. 150]}, in the holy land to get married with the damp earth ^{[14, p. 525]}, lying in the earth – lying in the ground ^{[14, p. 330]}, laying in the ground – put it in the ground ^{[14, p. 735]}, etc. There are also FE, which are associated with death: (hai, nehai) the earth (will be) down (feather) / nehai the earth (will be) puffy (light) – (let) the earth (be) down (feather) / let the earth (be) plump (light) ^{[14, p. 263]}, the earth does not accept – the earth does not accept ^{[14, p. 263]}, bury / bury alive (alive, alive) from the earth – bury / bury alive (alive, alive) in the ground ^{[14, p. 245]}, etc.;

10) life (3%): walking on the earth – walking on the earth ^{[14, p. 748]}, trampling the earth – trampling the earth ^{[14, p. 715]}, etc.;

11) speed (3%): [as much as] rvati [feet (hoards)] earth – [already] tear [with feet (hooves)] the earth ^{[14, p. 594]}, the earth does not touch (does not touch) – do not touch the earth ^{[14, p. 217]}, etc.;

12) place (3%): just on earth – just on earth ^{[14, p. 428]}. A place where someone passionately dreams and strives to get to: the promised land is the promised land ^{[14, p. 263]}, etc.;

13) a long way (4%): from far away land – from far away land ^{[14, p. 719]}, to far away (for far away) lands / for seven lands – to far away (for far away) lands / for seven lands ^{[14, p. 719]}, to the edge of the earth – to the edge lands ^{[14, p. 310]}, etc.;

14) assessment of intellectual abilities (3%): zakopuvati (zarivati) / zakopati (zariti) the earth has its talent – to bury (bury) / bury (bury) its talent in the ground ^{[14, p. 245]}, firmly (firmly) stand on the ground – stand firmly on the ground ^{[14, p. 245]}. 697] and others.;

15) destructive force (4%): sweep away (erase) the face of the earth – sweep (erase) from the face of the earth ^{[14, p. 267]}, take away the earth – level with the earth ^{[14, p. 272]}, mix with the earth / peremishati with the earth – mix with the earth / mix with the earth ^{[14, p. 268]} and others.;

16) action or, conversely, inaction (8%): trample into the ground – trample into the ground ^{[14, p. 137]}, bend / bend to the ground – bend / bend to the ground ^{[14, p. 559]}, hit (throw) / hit (throw) hard on the ground – hit (throw) / strike (throw) disaster (evil) on the ground ^{[14, p. 733]}, if you want to eat the earth, at least eat the earth ^{[14, p. 281]}, etc.;

17) life difficulties (10%): the earth is ticking away -the earth is running away from under your feet ^{[14, p. 263]}, the earth is burning with your feet – the earth is burning under your feet ^{[14, p. 262-263]}, I want to crawl the earth - at least walk through the earth ^{[14, p. 262-263]} p. 284], hang (hang) / hang between heaven and earth – hang (hang) / hang between heaven and earth ^{[14, p. 85]}, we live in the ground to lie down alive in the ground ^{[14, p. 359]}, we want to live (live I ta in.) on the ground – even alive (alive, etc.) climb into the ground ^{[14, p. 347]}, etc.;

18) annoying (5%): if you want to use the earth – even under the ground ^{[14, p. 262]}, beat your forehead (with your foreheads) on the ground – beat your forehead (with your foreheads) on the ground ^{[14, p. 29]}, if you want to dig up the earth - at least dig out (from under) the earth ^{[14, p. 74]} and others .;

19) surprise (6%): grow into the earth – grow into the earth ^{[14, p. 130]}, yak (mov, start i ta in.) z-pid (z) the earth was born – how (as if, etc.) to be born from under (from) the earth ^{[14, p. 130]}, yak (mov, nach i ta in.) fell through the earth – as (as if, etc.) fell through the earth ^{[14, p. 571]}, etc.;

20) the reality of what is happening (4%): take off / take off from the earth ^{[14, p. 106]}, land on the ground – land from the clouds to the ground ^{[14, p. 273]}, throw off the sky (from heaven) to the ground – drop from the sky (from heaven) to the earth ^{[14, p. 656]}, etc.;

21) emotional state (14%): if you don't fall through the ground a little, you almost fell through the ground ^{[14, p. 571]}, look down at the ground – look down at the ground ^{[14, p. 551]}, don't feel (don't feel) the earth [with yourself (with your feet)] – not to hear (not to feel) the earth [under oneself (under one's feet)] ^{[14, p. 772]}, if you fall through the earth – to fall through the earth ^{[14, p. 572]}, yak (mov, not even that in.) priris to the earth – as (as if, etc.) he was rooted to the ground ^{[14, p. 565]}, yak (mov, nach i ta in.) before being nailed to the ground – as (as if, etc.) nailed to the ground ^{[14, p. 557]}, etc.

22) time (3%): for Tsar Panka (Timka, Tomka), yak bula (camp), the land is thin – under Tsar Panka (Timka, Tomka), as the land was (will become) thin ^{[14, p. 756]}, the face of the earth – from the face of the earth ^{[14, p. 340]} and others .

Figure 3. Symbolic meanings of the earth symbol image in phraseological units of the Ukrainian language

In the popular consciousness, there is an idea of water as a liquid with various properties: as about a reservoir, a natural element and the most important means of existence. The analysis of the studied material showed that in phraseological units of the Ukrainian language, the symbolic meaning of the image-symbol of water is more often realized in the following meanings: action or inaction (36%), human condition (19%), oblivion (12%), relations between people (9%). The symbolic meaning of the fire symbol image is more often realized in the following meanings: destructive or dangerous force (17%), strengthening of feelings (15%), anger (12%), speed (8%), trial (8%).

The ideas of the Ukrainian people about the symbolic images of fire and water are polar opposites, they are known for their duality, because on the one hand they act as carriers of destruction, on the other – symbols of purification and life-giving power. This indicates the deep ambiguity that this element has in our life and speech space.

The earth is personified in different images in the national consciousness: as a mother, as a spirit of nature, as a living being capable of influencing a person's fate. In phraseological units of the Ukrainian language, the symbolic meaning of the earth symbol image is more often realized in the following meanings: death (18%), emotional state (14%), life difficulties (10%).

Thus, the analysis of FE with images-symbols of fire, water and earth testifies to their originality, uniqueness, specificity and branching of the Ukrainian phraseological system. The system of symbolic images and representations inherent in a particular nation is closely related to the peculiarities of the national mentality. Ukrainians are characterized by the features of a symbolic and figurative perception of cosmogonic, natural phenomena; and such a worldview finds its imprints in Ukrainian phraseology. The originality of the phraseological units of the studied group as a fragment of the phraseological picture of the world vividly illustrates the Ukrainians' ideas about the forces of nature, which were endowed with mystical properties in the minds of people.