Abstract:        Proverbs are the crystallization of human civilization and wisdom, which can reflect the distinctive cultural connotations of  a nation. In Mongolian culture, proverbs play an important role. Just as the saying goes, "There are two treasures carried on the  horseback: the songs on one side and the proverbs or holboos on the other." Through studying the metaphorical expressions in  Mongolian proverbs about need, dream, love and time from the perspective of the conceptual metaphor theory, the study aims to find out  how the essence of the proverbs are conveyed by metaphorical expressions and therefore to reveal the unique cognitive way and source    of Mongolian people.

Key words: Mongolian proverbs, metaphorical expressions, cognitive way, cognitive source