Chinese zodiac · sign 9 of 12
Monkey
The Monkey represents wit, versatility and curiosity. It's the cleverest and most playful animal of the zodiac.
- On the wheel of the twelve animals, in black: Monkey.
- The red triangle links it with its two friends (三合): Rat and Dragon.
- The dotted line crosses to its opposite (六冲): Tiger.
History and symbolism
The Monkey in the Chinese tradition
The Monkey is a symbol of wit in Chinese mythology, represented as the Monkey King in the classic novel 'Journey to the West'.
Traits
How it shows up
Characteristics
- Clever
- Versatile
- Curious
- Sociable
- Competitive
Strengths
- Extraordinary wit
- Versatility
- Intellectual curiosity
- Sociability
- Problem-solving
Challenges
- Inconstancy
- Arrogance
- Mischief
- Difficulty committing
- Impatience
Monkey years
Were you born in a Monkey year?
The Chinese year starts with the Lunar New Year, between January 21 and February 21. If you were born in those weeks, check the exact day: your sign may be the previous one.
| Year | From | To | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Feb 6, 1932 | Jan 25, 1933 | Water |
| 1944 | Jan 25, 1944 | Feb 12, 1945 | Wood |
| 1956 | Feb 12, 1956 | Jan 30, 1957 | Fire |
| 1968 | Jan 30, 1968 | Feb 16, 1969 | Earth |
| 1980 | Feb 16, 1980 | Feb 4, 1981 | Metal |
| 1992 | Feb 4, 1992 | Jan 22, 1993 | Water |
| 2004 | Jan 22, 2004 | Feb 8, 2005 | Wood |
| 2016 | Feb 8, 2016 | Jan 27, 2017 | Fire |
| 2028 | Jan 26, 2028 | Feb 12, 2029 | Earth |
The five elements
Five versions of the same sign
Every Monkey is also born with one of five elements, which changes every two years. The table above shows which one belongs to each year.
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
What's your animal?
Calculate it from your date of birth, with the exact Chinese New Year cutoff, and see which countries, brands and people share your sign.
Keep in mind
The Monkey in the zodiac is a cultural symbol with no scientific backing.
The Chinese zodiac is an age-old belief system rooted in Chinese culture. Molino uses it as a tool for reflection and self-knowledge. The interpretations don't constitute scientific evidence, predictions or diagnoses. The calculations are deterministic and reproducible from the year of birth.