ZӨV ZUS OR "RIGHT" HORSE PAINT IN THE HORSE-BREEDING CULTURE OF THE MONGOLIAN PEOPLES: HORSE PAINT SYMBOLISM
The Mongolian horse-breeding tradition reveals a considerable lexical layer denoting horse paints. Its forming is explained by its high significance in the nomadic culture of Central Asia. Piebald and flea-bitten paints stand out most from all paints. According to genetic research they originated in Central Asia and then spread in the rest of the world. A symbolical meaning of horse paint has an important role in the life of Mongolian nomads. Certain horse paints highlighted the social status of their owners, brought luck, expressed true grit and so on.