The article examines proverbs in Russian and Chinese that contain a component referring to fish. The analysis is conducted at two levels: the level of the internal form of the proverbs and the level of their meaning. The study of the internal form of proverbs reveals stereotypical representations of fish existing in the folk linguistic consciousness. The analysis of the proverb meanings provides an opportunity to identify the cultural attitudes of the language-speaking community. The sample includes 215 Russian and 520 Chinese proverbs recorded in lexicographic sources. The study results show that the proverbial portrayal of fish coincides in both languages, and the representation of the animal, recorded in the proverbs, is confirmed by the associations of native speakers. In the proverbs of both languages, the article highlights common cultural attitudes, such as the recognition of the need to make efforts in any endeavor and the importance of being content with having little. Differing cultural attitudes are determined by the mentality features reflected in the proverbs. Compared to Chinese proverbs, Russian cultural attitudes such as the hope for the best, the need to be vigilant, and the condemnation of the desire to present oneself as an expert in everything are lacunary. In contrast, Chinese cultural attitudes reflecting social differentiation, the need to rely on one’s own strength, and the consideration of behavioral consequences are lacunary relative to Russian proverbs. Differences in the expressed cultural attitudes determine the difference in figurative oppositions in the structure of the proverbs. Binary oppositions are more characteristic of Russian proverbs, while gradational oppositions are more typical of Chinese proverbs. The cognitive model “a Fish – a Human” has an intersection zone in the two proverbial spaces and distinct zones that characterize the features of ethnic mentality.