Year of the Monkey
The Monkey in the Chinese zodiac — personality, compatibility, career, and lucky traits.
Monkey
| Animal | 申 Monkey |
|---|---|
| Order | 9 of 12 |
| Earthly branch | Shen |
| Fixed element | Metal |
| Best matches | Rat, Dragon |
| Clash (avoid) | Tiger |
| Lucky | Lucky numbers 4 and 9; lucky colours white, blue, and gold; lucky flowers chrysanthemum and crape myrtle. |
What is the Year of the Monkey?
The Monkey (申, branch Shen) is sign 9 of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, with the fixed element Metal. The Monkey is the ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac — clever, playful, and endlessly inventive. Monkey people are quick-witted problem-solvers with a mischievous charm and an insatiable curiosity. Versatile, sociable, and sharp, they think fast, learn faster, and delight in outsmarting any challenge with wit and ingenuity. Ruled by the fixed element Metal, the Monkey pairs brilliant intelligence with irrepressible humour, making it one of the most resourceful and entertaining signs of the cycle.
Monkey strengths
Intelligent, witty, and inventive, Monkeys are brilliant problem-solvers who thrive on mental challenge. Charming, curious, and adaptable, they learn quickly and improvise cleverly out of any corner. Sociable and optimistic, they are entertaining company and fast, flexible thinkers whose ingenuity and versatility open doors everywhere.
Monkey weaknesses
Monkeys can be cunning, restless, and prone to trickery or opportunism. Their cleverness sometimes tips into arrogance, manipulation, or an inability to take things seriously. Easily bored and mischievous, they may cut corners, act on impulse, or struggle with commitment and follow-through when the novelty fades.
Monkey love and compatibility
In love the Monkey is charming, playful, and stimulating, needing a partner who keeps them mentally engaged and entertained. They pair best with the Rat and Dragon of their trine, who match their wit and ambition. Their clash is the Tiger, whose pride and directness collide with the Monkey's clever gamesmanship.
Monkey career and work
Monkeys thrive in fast-moving, creative, problem-solving fields: technology, business, science, entertainment, marketing, and the arts. Innovative and quick-thinking, they excel at improvisation and complex challenges. They need variety and mental stimulation, and their ingenuity and charm make them adaptable stars in almost any dynamic role.
What years are the Year of the Monkey?
Recent and upcoming Years of the Monkey:
- 1956
- 1968
- 1980
- 1992
- 2004
- 2016
- 2028
- 2040
Note: the Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year (late January to mid-February), not January 1. If you were born in that window, your sign may be the previous year’s animal — your BaZi chart settles it precisely.
Your animal is only one pillar
Your birth year gives your zodiac animal — but your full BaZi (Four Pillars) chart maps the year, month, day, and hour, revealing your elements, Day Master, and destiny.
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