This paper investigates the figurative character of proverbs from the prospective of pragmatics. A proverb in principle contains two meanings: proposition meaning and idiomatic meaning. However, in the discourse, a proverb has the specific meaning depending on the context it is used. Given this, the figurative character of a discourse is examined based on each language level. Previous research has focused on the expression meaning of the figurative character. The figurative character of a discourse shown in the expression meaning does not help to clarify the meaning and function of a discourse. Therefore, this paper examines the figurative characteristics of a proverb in terms of semantics and pragmatics. The idiomatic meaning of a proverbs is metaphorical interpretation of the propositional meaning. The idiomatic meaning of a proverb shows a specific viewpoint; therefore, it is given more specific meaning than its use in a discourse, implying that the characteristics of semantics and pragmatics are closely related. The characteristics of a proverb is the uniqueness of a proverb by itself. Therefore, it can also be regarded as the standard to differentiate from other idiomatic expressions. 【Key words】 a semantic and pragmatic approch, figurative characteristic of proverbs, proposition meaning and idiomatic meaning, the uniqueness of a proverb.