THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES IN MEANINGS OF COLORS IN UZBEK AND RUSSIAN CULTURES
Keywords:
Color symbolism; Uzbek culture; Russian culture; cultural comparison; national identity; traditions and beliefs; linguocultural analysis; white color; red color; blue color; black color; green color; intercultural communication; symbolic meanings; cultural valuesAbstract
The symbolic connotations of colors in Uzbek and Russian cultures are examined in this study, with particular attention paid to how the five fundamental hues—white, black, red, blue, and green—reflect the customs, values, and beliefs of each country. As manifestations of emotion, morality, and worldview, colors are essential to communication and cultural identity. By comparing the ways in which these colors are viewed and understood in the two countries, the study uncovers both common human ideas and unique cultural viewpoints. While color symbolizes emotion, history, and artistic expression in Russian culture, it is strongly associated with spirituality, nature, and communal values in Uzbek society. In all traditions, red is associated with vigor and beauty, black with grief, and white with purity and calm, despite cultural and theological differences. Depending on the cultural setting, blue and green can have different meanings, with some having spiritual or emotional connotations. Overall, the comparison shows that colors serve as strong symbols that convey identity, maintain legacy, and help people connect with their emotional and historical roots in addition to being visual phenomena.
References
1. Abduvakhabova, U., & Mukhammadiyeva, S. (2025). Phraseological expressions in modern English: Derivational features and their role in language theory and the culture of dialogue. Dialogue, Integration of Sciences and Cultures in the Process of Scientific and Professional Education, 1(1), 550–552.
2. Akhmedova, N. R. (2019). The symbolism of colors in Uzbek folk traditions and language. Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies Journal, 3(2), 45–52.
3. Bystrova, E. A. (2020). Color symbolism in Russian culture and language: Historical and modern perspectives. Philology and Culture, 62(4), 112–119.
4. Gulyamova, D. M. (2018). Cultural meanings of color in Uzbek worldview. Central Asian Journal of Cultural Studies, 5(1), 33–41.
5. Hazratova, S. (2025). Developing communicative competence in early childhood education: Strategies and challenges. Talqin va Tadqiqotlar Journal, 22–30.
6. Ishtukhtayeva, F. (2025). Theoretical and psychological perspectives on exploring speech culture in higher education. Educator Insights: A Journal of Teaching Theory and Practice, 1(3), March 2025.
7. Kuznetsova, I. V. (2017). Symbolic meanings of color in Russian idioms and folklore. Russian Linguistics Review, 10(2), 78–86.
8. Lüscher, M. (1990). The Lüscher Color Test. Random House.
9. Maslova, V. A. (2001). Linguoculturology. Moscow: Academy Publishing House.
10. Shamuradova N. (2021). Comparative Study of English and Uzbek Proverbs Usage of parts of body. МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ ЖУРНАЛ ИСКУССТВО СЛОВА.
11. Saidov, B. K. (2021). The role of color in Uzbek national art and culture. Journal of Uzbek Cultural Heritage, 7(3), 59–68.
12. Stepanova, T. P. (2016). Color and emotion in Russian language and literature. Moscow: Nauka Publishers.
13. Whittaker, C. (2014). Color and culture: The meanings and power of color across cultures. University of Chicago Press.
