The Monkey: inventive, playful and curious
The Monkey is the clever problem-solver of the Chinese zodiac: witty, curious and full of ideas. Explore Monkey personality, love, work, friends and clashes, plus every Monkey year.
The full deep dive
The story of the Monkey
In the Great Race the Monkey teamed up with the Goat and the Rooster, using its quick hands to steer their raft across the river. It came ninth, having enjoyed every minute.
Personality
Monkeys are bright, funny and endlessly inventive. They love learning, games and anything with a puzzle at its heart. Their quick humour makes them excellent company, and they rarely meet a problem they cannot think their way around.
In love
In love, the Monkey is playful and lively. They need a partner who keeps up with their mind and laughs at their jokes, and they show love by making life an adventure.
At work
Monkeys are brilliant in science, technology, engineering, trading, entertainment and any role built around solving problems.
Something to watch
The Monkey can get bored easily or rely on cleverness instead of patience. Sticking with things after the novelty wears off lets their talent go much further.
Friends, secret friend and clash
- Friend group: the Monkey shares its sea green colour on the wheel with the Rat and the Dragon. Together they are the Thinkers, and they understand each other easily.
- Secret friend: the Snake. This quiet, loyal bond is shown by a matching jewel on the inner ring.
- Clash: the Tiger, directly opposite on the wheel. The two pull in opposite directions, which can mean friction, or real growth if both are willing to learn.
You can read more in Friend groups, secret friends and clashes.
Element and season
The Monkey’s own fixed element is Metal, and it is a Yang sign. It belongs to autumn on the wheel. Every Monkey year also carries a year element, which changes in a ten-year cycle, so a Fire Monkey and a Water Monkey share the same heart but show it differently. See The five elements for how the elements work.
Lucky things
Traditionally, the Monkey’s lucky numbers are 4 and 9, its lucky colours are white, blue and gold, and its lucky flowers are chrysanthemum and crape myrtle.
Monkey years
Your animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or early February, check the dates below carefully: you may belong to the animal before.
| Year | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Water Monkey | 6 February 1932 | 25 January 1933 |
| Wood Monkey | 25 January 1944 | 12 February 1945 |
| Fire Monkey | 12 February 1956 | 30 January 1957 |
| Earth Monkey | 30 January 1968 | 16 February 1969 |
| Metal Monkey | 16 February 1980 | 4 February 1981 |
| Water Monkey | 4 February 1992 | 22 January 1993 |
| Wood Monkey | 22 January 2004 | 8 February 2005 |
| Fire Monkey | 8 February 2016 | 27 January 2017 |
| Earth Monkey | 26 January 2028 | 12 February 2029 |
Sources and perspectives
- Theodora Lau, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes
- Derek Walters, The Complete Guide to Chinese Astrology
- Hong Kong Observatory, the Chinese calendar