This painting has 15 encrypted Russian proverbs & catchphrases!

Yeltseva was inspired by the work of Pieter Bruegel: in the painting ‘Flemish Proverbs’, the artist encrypted more than 100 expressions! He depicted them literally – this is what attracted the artist and she decided to create her own paintings-encyclopedias of folk wisdom.

For example, this one has encrypted 15 Russian proverbs and aphorisms! We decided to find them all.

1. «Ворон ворону глаз не выклюет» (“Voron voronu glaz ne vyklyuet”)

"A crow will not peck out another crow's eye"

If people have common interests, they will not harm each other. This proverb came into the Russian language from ancient times.

2. «Пахать как лошадь» (“Pahat kak loshad”)

"Work like a horse"

You need to work hard to achieve success in something or the desired result.

3. «Заблудиться в трех соснах» (“Zabluditsya v treh sosnah”)

"Get lost in three pines"

If a person cannot find a solution to a problem even in the simplest situation, you can only sympathize with them. After all, they are clearly lost in three pines.

4. «Лес рубят – щепки летят» (“Les rubyat – schepki letyat”)

"When you chop down a forest, chips fly"

In any business, collateral damage is inevitable.

5. «Не красна изба углами, а красна пирогами» (“Ne krasna izba uglami, a krasna pirogami”)

"A hut is not beautiful with its corners, but with its pies"

Pies are one of the most popular dishes of Russian cuisine. They are made with a variety of fillings - from savory ones with meat and vegetables to lean and sweet ones. Hospitable hosts are always happy to welcome guests and invite them to the table. That's why they are spoken of warmly.

6. «Копейка рубль бережет» (“Kopeika rubl berezhet”)

"A kopek saves the a ruble"

A people's express course in financial literacy: thriftiness allows you to accumulate solid savings.

7. «Работа не волк, в лес не убежит» (“Rabota ne volk, v les ne ubezhit”)

"Work is not a wolf, it won't run off into the forest"

There should always be a place to rest!

8. «Собака лает – ветер носит» (“Sobaka laet – veter nosit”)

"The dog barks – the wind carries"

Rumors, slander and abuse of envious people and ill-wishers are not worth paying attention to.

9. «Наступить на те же грабли» (“Nastupit na te zhe grabli”)

"Stepping on the same rake"

To make the same mistake over and over again without drawing any conclusions.

10. «Сорока на хвосте принесла» (‘Soroka na hvoste prinesla»)

"The magpie brought it on its tail"

Magpies are incredibly curious! But, at the same time, they are also timid: if something alarms them, they will immediately notify everyone around them with their cries. Ironically, this expression is used when someone tells unverified rumors and spreads gossip.

11. «Без труда не выловишь рыбку из пруда» (“Bez truda ne vilovish i ribku iz pruda”)

"You can't catch a fish in a pond without working hard"

Without putting in the effort, you cannot achieve the desired result.

12. «Свинья грязь найдет» (“Svinya gryaz naidet”)

"A pig will always find dirt"

Like attracts like: A person with bad habits will certainly find themselves in the same bad company or, even worse, get into another mess.

13. «Под лежачий камень вода не течет» (“Pod lezhachiy kamen voda ne techet”)

"No water flows under a lying stone"

The matter will not take care of itself and the situation will not change if nothing is done.

14. «Носить воду в решете» (“Nosit vodu v reshete”)

"Carry water in a sieve"

This phrase can be used to express disapproval of some senseless action.

15. «Всяк кулик свое болото хвалит» (“Vsyak kulik svoe boloto khvalit”)

"Every snipe praises their own swamp"

This can be said when your interlocutor talks at great length and in great detail about something that is very dear to him.