In this paper, we investigate the Russian proverbs which contain woman indicators or talk about women, and explore metaphorical expressions found in them. We proceed this study within the theoretical frameworks of ‘ontological metaphors’ and ‘the great chain of being metaphor’ that Lakoff & Johnson (1980) and Lakoff & Turner (1989) proposed. We discuss the formal mechanisms used in Russian women proverbs classifying them into ‘animal, plant, thing’ metaphors. In this discussion, we set up some hypothetical situation in order to show how we could apply the theoretical frameworks. We also point out that since in old days Russian people bear negative perspectives on women, they treat women with contempt and look down on them. Women are unintelligent and inferior to men; therefore, they should not involve in social activities. But some proverbs which seem to be formed in Soviet era show that this perspective has been changed to allow women to involve in social activities.