Water Monkey
Water adds adaptability, perception and diplomacy. The most intuitive version, and the most easily influenced.
Years
1932, 1992
Animal 9 of 12 · Metal · Yang
The Monkey
Cleverness, invention and an appetite for problems.
Position in cycle9 of 12
Fixed elementMetal
Yin or yangYang
Hours governed15:00–17:00
SeasonAutumn
Lucky numbers1, 8, 9
Lucky colourswhite, blue, gold
Strength. Solves things sideways. Finds the route nobody else considered.
Friction. Bores easily and occasionally treats other people as puzzles rather than persons.
Each animal also governs two hours of the day — the Monkey holds 15:00–17:00. Someone born in those hours is said to carry the Monkey as an inner sign regardless of their year.
Traits
Inventive
Witty
Manipulative
Curious
Impatient
Monkey years
| Year | Element | New year began |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Wood Monkey | 25 January |
| 1956 | Fire Monkey | 12 February |
| 1968 | Earth Monkey | 30 January |
| 1980 | Metal Monkey | 16 February |
| 1992 | Water Monkey | 4 February |
| 2004 | Wood Monkey | 22 January |
| 2016 | Fire Monkey | 8 February |
| 2028 | Earth Monkey | 26 January |
Born in January or early February of one of these years? Check the new year date — you may belong to the previous animal.
Rarely covered in English
The five Monkeys
Every animal exists in five versions, one per element — and that is the reason the cycle runs sixty years rather than twelve. A Wood Monkey and a Fire Monkey are described quite differently, but most English sites stop at the animal.
Wood Monkey
Wood adds growth, patience and cooperation. The most flexible version — expands rather than forces.
Years
1944, 2004
Fire Monkey
Fire adds intensity, visibility and speed. The most driven version, and the quickest to burn through its own energy.
Years
1956, 2016
Earth Monkey
Earth adds steadiness, practicality and patience. The most reliable version, and the slowest to change direction.
Years
1968, 2028
Metal Monkey
Metal adds discipline, resolve and sharp edges. The most determined version, and the least willing to bend.
Years
1980, 2040
Each element holds for two consecutive years, so your element depends on which of the two you were born in. Twelve animals against five elements gives sixty combinations — a Wood Monkey recurs only once every sixty years.
The year of your own animal is not lucky
In Chinese tradition the year of your own animal is considered unlucky rather than fortunate — you are said to offend Tai Sui, the god of the year. The customary protection is to wear red, and specifically red given to you by someone else rather than bought for yourself. Red underwear, belts and socks are all standard.
The next Monkey year is 2028.
Western sites almost universally present your own animal's year as fortunate, which inverts the tradition entirely. In China the twelfth year is the one people take precautions for.
Monkey compatibility
| With | Relation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Dragon | Traditional ally | 90% |
| Snake | Traditional ally | 88% |
| Horse | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Dog | Sextile — easy | 78% |
| Monkey | Same sign | 72% |
| Ox | Neutral | 68% |
| Rabbit | Neutral | 68% |
| Goat | Neutral | 68% |
| Rooster | Neutral | 68% |
| Pig | Square — friction | 60% |
| Tiger | Traditional clash | 45% |