This article examines the theoretical foundations of paremiology and outlines the principal scientific directions in proverb studies. It traces the development of paremiology from folkloristic frameworks to modern cognitive and discourse-oriented studies. Proverbs are characterized as linguacultural units that are stable, concise, rhythmically structured, and convey layered and metaphorical meanings. The findings highlight the necessity of analyzing proverbs not solely as components of folklore but as complex communicative units that carry significant cultural implications.