Bil Shami
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35 Proverbs By Damascenes About the Cold of December

December… the month of freezing cold and rain that sweeps across the earth. It’s the heart of winter, warmth, and nostalgia. The last ten days of December and all of January are known as the “Forty Days of Winter,” when the cold reaches its peak and sticks around for about 40 days. But December isn’t just about the cold and rain—it’s a month full of wisdom, passed down through generations in the form of proverbs. These proverbs tell stories and share advice on how to deal with the tough winter days. Let’s take a look at what Damascenes said about December!

Proverbs on Cold & Patience

“Fi kanun al-tani bi-shu Allah balani”
Meaning: This proverb expresses the exhaustion people feel from the endless cold and rain.

“B kanun, hadir al-fahm w aamer al-kanun”
Meaning: A reminder to prepare for the cold before it fully hits.

“B kanun al-ajrad, ta’il awa’ik la-tebrad”
Meaning: December strips the trees of their leaves, just like people need to bundle up in heavy clothing to stay warm.

“Ba’ad kanun, al-shiti bihoon”
Meaning: After December, the harshness of winter lightens up a bit.

“Shams kanun mitl al-ta’oon”
Meaning: Don’t be fooled by the sun in December; it’s deceptive and can still be cold.

“kanun, al-sahoo fi znun”
Meaning: The weather in December is unpredictable and can change suddenly.

“l-sit la-kanun, wl-f’il la-shbat”
Meaning: December gets all the attention, but it’s actually February that holds the real surprises.

Proverbs on Bitter Cold & Wild Adventures

“B kanun al-asam, iq’ud fi baytak w intam”
Meaning: The extreme cold forces you to stay indoors.

“Kanun 2, kanun al-asam, binazil min al-uyun dam”
Meaning: The harsh cold of December affects you so badly, even your eyes tear up.

“Kanun al-asam, bardo byikhruq al-‘adm”
Meaning: The severe cold of December pierces through your bones.

“B kanun, kun b baytak ya majnun”
Meaning: The bad weather makes staying at home the best option during this time.

“B kanun, wayn rayeh ya majnun”
Meaning: Going out for no reason during December is considered crazy.

Proverbs on Storms and Darkness in December

“Ghaymet kanun bitkhawif el-majnun”
Meaning: The dark clouds in December signal strong storms, which can be frightening.

“‘Atmet kanun bitkhawif al-majnun”
Meaning: The long nights in December can cause fear and anxiety.

“Barriyat al-majanin bi-kwanin”
Meaning: Traveling during December was seen as an unreasonable and risky decision.

“‘iris al-majanin bi-kwanin”
Meaning: Holding weddings in December wasn’t ideal because of the weather.

“Tinet al-majanin bi-kwanin”
Meaning: Doing construction or working with mud during December was considered foolish.

Proverbs on Preparation and Hard Work

Beyn kanunein, safir ya shaqqi, wadaye’ al-mal ma’a al-maksab”
Meaning: Traveling between December and January was considered useless and a waste of time.

“B kanun, ken b baytak, w lal talaa ma tdal thin w t’in”
Meaning: A reminder to avoid unnecessary trips and stay warm indoors.

“B kanun, ken b baytak, ‘aa debsak w zaytak”
Meaning: Stocking up on supplies is key to surviving the cold month.

“B kanun, ken wa ‘al-faqeer hen”
Meaning: It’s a call to help those in need during this cold and difficult time.

“Mayet kanun bitshfi kell ma‘loul”
Meaning: The rain in December is believed to heal both the land and people.

Proverbs on Wisdom from Winter and Nature

“Ma btikn bil-bir gheir mayet kwanin”
Meaning: The rain in December is the one that fills up the wells, providing much-needed water.

“Abrad min mayet kanun”
Meaning: A description of the extreme cold, colder than December’s rain.

“La tigharrak sahwet kanun wala ghaymet shubat”
Meaning: The weather in December, January and February can be deceptive—never trust it fully.

“Ma fi anqa min qamaret tishreen wala azlam min ‘atmat kanun”
Meaning: Comparing the clear sky of October to the dark nights of December.

“Nasbat kanun al-awal, btisbaq nasbet ‘amnaoul”
Meaning: Plants sown in December tend to grow better than those sown in other months.

Proverbs on Earth & Goodness in December

“Kull al-shajar byit‘ara bi-kanun illa al-sindyan, al-sinobar, wal-zaytoun”
Meaning: These strong trees—oak, pine, and olive—remain resilient and don’t shed their leaves during December.

“Kanun al-ajrad bikhalli al-shajar amrad”
Meaning: The trees in December lose their leaves, becoming bare.

“Illy ma bihros bi-ajrad ‘ind al-salibiye byejrad”
Meaning: Farmers who didn’t plant in December would regret it later when their crops didn’t grow.

“Sayl al-zaytoun min sayl kanun”
Meaning: The olive harvest is deeply connected to the December rains.

“Al-ra‘ne wal-majnune btiftah bi-kanoune”
Meaning: Some plants bloom in December against nature’s usual rhythm.

“Kanun fahl al-shita”
Meaning: The rains of December are seen as crucial for the earth’s nourishment.

“Shatwet kanun zakhir, w Shatwet shubat mahal, w Shatwet azhar khair, w Shatwet ayyar hdiye”
Meaning: Comparing the benefits of the rains in different months: December-January is for storage, February is difficult, March is good, and May is a gift.

“Iza bi-ajrad ma rawayna, mahalna w ma drayna”
Meaning: If the crops aren’t watered in December, they won’t thrive in the future.

December brings both the harsh cold and beautiful wisdom. These proverbs serve as a reminder to be patient, prepare for the worst, and help others through tough times. Despite the freezing weather, it’s the warmth of people’s hearts that keeps us going.

Image Source: Al Jazeera

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