Why has nature been relevant in Finnish proverbs?

Abstract

<p>The relationship between nature and proverbs is defined by society with its needs and its ideas. The collecting and research of proverbs are tied to the society. In the 19th century, when Finland strived for independence, had Johann Gottfried von Herder's neo-humanism an effect on the status of folk poetry and its importance to the development of the nation. Herder's climate theory puts great emphasize on the living conditions created by geography, climate, and history. Prior to this in the 18th century, David Hume noted differences in mindsets between humans. Most often the differences reflected different environments and natural conditions.</p><p>Influenced by national romanticism, Finnish native and natural-related space was sought among the people. It was not so much sought out in the everyday life of the people as in the tradition collected from among the people. Romanticism idealizing language and folk culture in Finland emphasized the connection between nature and the cultural tradition of the people, seen in language and folk poetry, which proverbs also belonged to. Lönnrot's collections of folk poetry and proverbs were also one response to the national sensation of the Romanticism period. Even to the extent that both folk poems and proverbs were modified to resemble texts in <em>Kalevala. </em>In the formation of national identity, nature and the relationship of the people to nature got on a significant position.<br></p>