Monkey is the 9th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Goat and before the Rooster. Recent years of the Goat include 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, and 1944, with the next Monkey year in 2028 (Year of the Earth Monkey). It is associated with the earthly branch sign shen.
In Chinese astrology, Monkey is intelligent, especially in analyzing and solving a problem. They excel at abstract thinking, as well as adapting to new people, tasks, and even environments. These master shapeshifters can fit in any time, anywhere.
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Chinese Zodiac Years for Monkey
Based on the lunar Chinese calendar—as are many things in Chinese culture—the 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs do not correspond perfectly with the time of the Gregorian calendar (which is a solar calendar rather than a lunar calendar).
If you were born in January or February, pay close attention to the Chinese New Year start date when finding your zodiac sign, as it may be from the previous year (use the chart below).
Chart of Years, Dates, and Elements for Monkey Zodiac Signs
|
Monkey Year |
Lunar Year Start Date |
Lunar Year End Date |
Element |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1920 |
February 20, 1920 |
February 7, 1921 |
Metal |
|
1932 |
February 6, 1932 |
January 25, 1933 |
Water |
|
1944 |
January 25, 1944 |
February 12, 1945 |
Wood |
|
1956 |
February 12, 1956 |
January 30, 1957 |
Fire |
|
1968 |
January 30, 1968 |
February 16, 1969 |
Earth |
|
1980 |
February 16, 1980 |
February 4, 1981 |
Metal |
|
1992 |
February 4, 1992 |
January 22, 1993 |
Water |
|
2004 |
January 22, 2004 |
February 8, 2005 |
Wood |
|
2016 |
February 8, 2016 |
January 27, 2017 |
Fire |
|
2028 |
January 26, 2028 |
February 12, 2029 |
Earth |
Personality Traits of Monkey Signs
It seems Monkey can always come up with the most innovative ideas, making many envious or resentful. Their creativity is synonymous with their unpredictability, so you never know what to expect with this mercurial sign. In terms of yin yang, Monkeys are yang.
Monkeys are social—they’ll grow despondent if left alone for too long. As such, they need sounding boards in their friends and colleagues when they’re creating, as opposed to being locked away on their own.
In a developed Monkey, you’ll find such forward-thinking spirituality that they seem almost able to predict the future. That’s due to their ability to observe minute changes, make accurate judgments, and take appropriate actions.
This is a very practical sign, and their calculations often involve numbers, profits and losses, and the accumulation of wealth. With this advantage in intelligence, less evolved Monkeys can often feel rather superior to others.
Monkey Strengths
Monkey is one of the most talented zodiacs, possessing a sharpness of mind that’s rivaled by none. They’re active, energetic, and intelligent, as well as sophisticated socially, integrating into any group without effort.
Monkey people are such fun to be around, but they’ll truly shine when sudden changes are afoot, and they reveal themselves to be quick adapters with the ability to adjust to and make use of everything.
Monkey Weaknesses
Monkey’s sharp intellect has also made them vain and condescending, and they lack patience with anything that requires effort. Despite their talent, Monkeys may end up not achieving much in life because of this weakness.
They often think they can pull a fast one over others, but what they don’t know is that others may have perceived their tricks all along and are writing them off as hypocritical and arrogant.
Female Monkey Signs
Monkey women are excellent communicators because they always know what to say, and any stagnant group will certainly liven up once these ladies arrive. They’re less straightforward than their male counterparts—but no less shrewd.
There’s a natural radiance to Monkey women that makes them the center of attention, but men may find Monkey women a little puzzling in love because they never let on about how they truly feel.
Male Monkey Signs
Monkey men are full of wit and socially adept, but it’s when they learn to impose order instead of giving in to every impulse that occurs to them that they can finally attain true success.
In love, they’re usually attracted to women who are more flamboyant. Monkey men are energetic and fun to be around themselves, although they may find it difficult to translate short-term interest into a long-term future.
Monkey Zodiacs and the Five Elements Theory
The Chinese Five Elements Theory assigns one of the five elements—Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth—to each year, in addition to the zodiacs. So Monkeys born in different years will have different personalities.
Metal Monkeys
Metal Monkeys are clever and tough, cunning and decisive, and eloquent and stubborn. This group is naturally confident, so they make perfect entrepreneurs who won’t have to look far for investors who believe in their vision.
They’ll marry later, if they do at all, because their priority will be to build a career and professional reputation first. They won’t lack friends, which will provide the emotional support they need earlier on.
Water Monkeys
Water Monkeys possess a rather infectious vitality, although their energetic presence is accompanied by pushiness and a more hands-on leadership style. They have the tendency to behave with arrogance, which may arouse resentment in their team.
In marriage and romance, Water Monkeys will have strong, if not passionate, relationships all their lives. In terms of wealth, however, they’ll need to deal with fluctuating fortunes, so prepare and save for lean years.
Wood Monkeys
Wood Monkeys are ambitious, and they stand to realize their career aspirations and enjoy an otherwise flourishing life. Although Monkeys are usually selfish, Wood Monkeys are compassionate in their actions and love to help friends.
Because they’re workaholics, Wood Monkeys may neglect their romantic partner. Do not mistake this for an absence of love, however, because they’re dedicated to their union, even if they don’t remember to express their affections.
Fire Monkeys
Fire Monkeys are smart and passionate. They care about making a difference in the world, if only for their personal vision—they value justice and hold ideals for the way the world ought to be.
Fire Monkeys will have a solid marriage that’s supplemented by a large social circle. But they’re advised not to jump into a relationship when they’re young, as they may well mature into a different person.
Earth Monkeys
Earth Monkeys are careful planners and hard workers. They don’t care about fame or fortune, but by applying themselves consistently, they can rise to the top of their field—even if in a quieter fashion.
They’ll do their best to create a happy family as they instinctively feel the need for warmth and support. Fortune often comes to them unexpectedly because they don’t need much to feel abundant in life.
Lucky (and Unlucky) Things for Monkeys
Monkey is a metal zodiac, so the colors of gold and white are fortunate, as are 2 and 3, and southeast. Purple and black, the number 1, will bring ill luck and should be avoided.
In Chinese culture, your Ben Ming Nian, or Chinese zodiac birth year, is considered unlucky as well, so be ready to don the color red throughout the Year of the Monkey to help ward off possible bad fortune.
Lucky Things
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Lucky numbers: 2, 3
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Lucky colors: Gold, White
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Lucky directions: Southeast
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Lucky flowers: Chrysanthemum
Unlucky Things
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Unlucky numbers: 1
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Unlucky colors: Purple, Black
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Unlucky directions: Northeast
Love and Compatibility for Monkeys
Those born in years of the Monkey may seem vain on the surface and appear to care too much about their potential partner’s appearance, but inside, they’re actually yearning for deep and earth-shattering love compatibility.
With the right partner, Monkeys will develop a mature depth to their character, as if with the assurance of true love, they’re finally able to discard the more changeable and capricious aspects of their personality.
❤️ Best Match: Monkey and Rat
Rat is steady, whereas Monkey is mercurial, but that’s what attracts them to each other. As their relationship deepens, however, these two may well find that they have more in common than at first glance.
Rat doesn’t want every day to be the same, although that’s exactly what they’d build if left to their own devices, while Monkey sometimes cannot execute their grand plans. Well, no need to look further here!
Female Monkey and Male Rat
Monkey and Rat together will release both partners’ full potential for the greater good of their family. Monkey is an excellent long-term strategist, while Rat will take the reins of day-to-day living, which is also important.
Both will strive to improve themselves constantly in their journey together, although neither will require the same from their partner, making this a loving and friendly marriage from the start that will prosper without fail.
Male Monkey and Female Rat
This is a complementary pair not only in temperament but also in how they behave. Both find the other quite capable in ways that they aren’t themselves, and each respects their significant other as a result.
So, this love affair will go smoothly from the start since they also have mutual understanding and great communication on their side, which are important ingredients for a relationship that will weather life’s inevitable storms.
❤️ Best Match: Monkey and Dragon
It takes a spirited zodiac like Monkey to stand up to Dragon’s domineering ways because, goodness, does Monkey know how to rein Dragon in! With Monkey’s expert hand, Dragon can be almost as agreeable as Rabbit.
That’s only where the couple’s harmonious home life is concerned because both partners will thrive and succeed out in the world in their different ways. Monkey will gain insight into the bigger picture they often lack.
Female Monkey and Male Dragon
This is a surprisingly romantic pairing, even though both are perceived as rational. Away from the public eye, however, these two seem to discover and stimulate the hidden passion within their partner—ooh la la!
Both zodiac signs are social and well-liked, but Dragon brings a daring that Monkey doesn’t possess, while Monkey brings the fun that Dragon loves in his woman. Neither can seem to stop praising their mate.
Male Monkey and Female Dragon
This relationship will almost always lead to marriage, as Monkey and Dragon share characteristics, such as ambition and objectivity, that will allow both to thrive in their own right and as an indomitable family unit.
Monkeys are practical and intelligent, while Dragons are tenacious and strong leaders. Both will discover their mate’s strengths right away and lean on each other as they become a pair destined for greatness and success.
❤️ Best Match: Monkey and Snake
Monkey and Snake are certainly a match on the outside since both are stylish and together make a dashing couple. But that’s actually the least they have in common and find intriguing in their partner.
Monkey has that lively zest for life that Snake secretly craves, while Snake’s calm and elegant persona is downright alluring to Monkey. Soon enough, their glitzy attraction to each other will deepen into true love.
Female Monkey and Male Snake
This is a pair that may come together quicker than anyone expects, and even more surprisingly, it’s a match that will last despite all the noise and not infrequent quarrels long into their prosperous retirement.
Monkey and Snake have different personalities and interests, which is why they do disagree on certain subjects, but that’s precisely what gives them a life filled with surprises and richness instead of strife and misunderstanding.
Male Monkey and Female Snake
This couple is well-suited for each other, although early in the relationship, they’ll need to disarm their partner’s vigilance so that they can see each other as they truly are without any sensitivity or anxiety.
Once that happens, both will give up their previous reservations and misbeliefs about love and finally reveal the full extent of their personalities. It’s only then that both will receive the best blessings in life.
Worst Matches: Tiger, Pig
Monkey and Tiger: This is a terrible pairing characterized by power plays from both sides. They’re certainly an ambitious couple, but both are more concerned with gaining the upper hand than working toward a common goal aspiration.
Monkey wants to conquer Tiger and usually succeeds in this pairing, while Tiger, who’s usually confident, may become uncertain of their own abilities and lose themselves—a sad sight to witness in any zodiac sign.
Monkey and Pig: This is a damaging aspect for both zodiac signs, but they seem to strike gold after they marry, which leads them to stay together. They’ll soon discover that they can’t be themselves around their partner.
Monkey will become unscrupulous in reaching their goals in this relationship, which will soon make Monkey and Pig a couple that looks enviable and successful on the outside—but miserable and inauthentic on the inside.
Careers Fit for the Chinese Zodiac Monkey
Monkeys are life-long learners, although they may not get to the bottom of something or master a skill before something else catches their attention. Nonetheless, it’s enough for Monkeys to excel in almost any field.
That said, Monkeys must care about their work, in which case their sharp intellect will be paired with relentless dedication and tenacity comparable to Oxen, which will take them all the way to the finish line.
They’re quick and able to think under pressure, possibly even thriving under scrutiny. But if Monkeys are required to toil away patiently for many years, let’s just say the outcome won’t be favorable to anyone.
Best careers for Monkeys
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Trader
-
Politician
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Diplomat
-
Journalist
Worst careers for Monkeys
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Professor
-
Doctor
-
Financier
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Librarian
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Teacher
Health and Lifestyle Advice for Monkeys
Monkeys are so energetic that they can be exhausting to others sometimes, as well as to their own health; their bodies may not be able to go as far as their energetic spirit requires.
On the one hand, that may make them nervous or jumpy or, on the other, push themselves beyond exhaustion. Monkeys also have the tendency to eat indiscriminately, leading to digestive trouble further down the line.
Monkey and the 12 Zodiac Animals (Origin Story)
The Chinese culture has passed down a variety of origin stories and myths to explain how the 12 zodiac animals were selected and why each is in its current place. Monkey is 9th; how did that happen?
One of the legends tells the story of a race across a celestial river, which the Jade Emperor promised would decide which animals would be honored as a zodiac sign. Monkey is among the contestants.
Monkey didn’t swim well, but cleverly, it found trees planted on the riverbank, so that by swinging from vine to vine, it was able to keep up with better swimmers and managed to take 9th place.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Monkey
People born in the Chinese Year of the Monkey are so naturally clever and gifted, it’s no wonder they’ve been the movers and shakers of the world both in history and in the present!
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Tom Hanks: July 9, 1956, Fire Monkey
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Miley Cyrus: November 23, 1992, Water Monkey
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Michael Douglas: September 25, 1944, Wood Monkey
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Will Smith: September 25, 1968, Earth Monkey
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Kim Kardashian, October 21, 1980, Metal Monkey
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Leonardo da Vinci: April 15, 1452, Water Monkey
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Hugh Jackman: October 12, 1968, Earth Monkey
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Selena Gomez: July 22, 1992, Water Monkey
Monkey’s Horoscope for 2024 (Year of the Dragon)
Monkey will enjoy good fortune in 2024 since it won’t be bothered by the God of Tai Sui and will have the backing of a few minor advantageous aspects. Can you say full speed ahead?
It’s not all balanced, Monkey, since hard work and finance seem especially favored this year, but romance and health may prove somewhat tricky. Nothing you can’t handle, so don’t sweat the small stuff.
Monkey’s 2024 Love and Relationships Forecast
Let’s get the tougher news out of the way first, Monkey. Your impatience will really hurt your personal life in 2024, but that means it’s a great year for you to finally tackle that problem.
If you’re single, Monkey, don’t rush your love life this year! Work on yourself so that if the right person comes along, you can get to know them instead of jumping blindly into a relationship.
Be equally patient with your partner if you’re already paired off. If you’re engaged, in particular, plan and double-check everything because it’ll be a thorn in your side for years if you mangle this one!
Career Prospects for Monkey in 2024
Not bad at work this year, Monkey, but nothing spectacular, either. In fact, you’d be better served by putting your head down and doing your duties well instead of hoping for anything sudden or grand.
If you do that, you’ll find space for what you do best, Monkey—observe! That’s most likely the way opportunities will come to you this year, through your own investigation, not on a silver platter.
This patience, if you manage it, will reward you toward the end of this year. Higher-ups have been taking notes of your performance for months, it seems, and they’re ready to entrust you with more.
Monkey’s Wealth and Finance in 2024
You shouldn’t have any problem landing a promotion and a pay upgrade by the last quarter of the year, Monkey, as well as a sizeable bonus for those excellent numbers if you follow our advice.
If you’re in business for yourself, this should be an optimistic year as well. But if your instinct is to expand, expand, expand, think again, Monkey! You’d better wait until your new business is consolidated.
You’re something of a risk-taker, which means speculative investing has always been a real risk with you. Be prudent this year, as the wealth you build up will help you out of a pinch soon.
Health Predictions for Monkeys in 2024
You won’t be in your best shape this year, Monkey, but previous years have already given an indication of that. We’d suggest a medical check-up soon after the New Year’s party to see what you’re dealing with.
You tend to be optimistic, Monkey—perhaps overly so? Your instinct will be to try to get better right away. The body is a complex organism, and it should be maintained and coaxed instead of strong-armed.
Practice patience in your dealings as well this year since your temper could get the best of you and land some punches on your flawless face, Monkey. Try to avoid these unnecessary run-ins if possible.