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Chinese zodiac · Chinese zodiac 9

Monkey

Monkey · 猴 hóu

The Monkey (猴 hóu), sign 9 of the Chinese zodiac: earthly branch Shen 申, fixed element metal, yang.

The Monkey, made famous by Sun Wukong in Journey to the West, is the clever and inventive trickster of the cycle. The sign is associated with wit, curiosity and versatility.

In Chinese astrology the year animal is only one part of a horoscope: the element of the year's heavenly stem, the month, day and hour of birth (the Four Pillars) and their interactions are read together. The traditional characterisations of each animal belong to folk belief and popular almanacs rather than to a single authoritative text.

Personality

clever · inventive · witty · curious · versatile · playful · mischievous

In Chinese popular astrology the Monkey is described as clever, inventive and playful, the trickster of the zodiac. Linked with the earthly branch Shen, yang and the element metal, it takes much of its popular image from Sun Wukong, the irrepressible Monkey King of Journey to the West, who could outwit gods and demons alike.

Almanac portraits credit Monkey-born people with quick intelligence, curiosity, humour, versatility and a talent for solving problems that others find impossible; they are said to learn fast and to be entertaining company. The weaknesses traditionally named are restlessness, vanity, a fondness for tricks and short cuts, impatience with slower minds and a tendency to scatter talent across too many ventures.

In love the Monkey is portrayed as lively and charming, needing a partner who can keep up intellectually and keep life interesting; the traditional triad places it in harmony with the Rat and the Dragon. At work it is linked with business, invention, engineering, finance, media and entertainment, wherever wit and adaptability are rewarded. Chinese astrologers point out that the year's element, such as Fire or Water, and the full Four Pillars greatly modify how the Monkey's cleverness is expressed.

Sources and further reading