The Monkey 猴
clever · playful · curious · inventive
Monkey personality
Best traits: clever, playful, curious, inventive. Monkeys are fast learners and natural problem-solvers with a sharp sense of humor. They improvise well and rarely stay stuck.
Weak spots: They can be mischievous, easily bored, and tempted to cut corners. A Monkey may talk its way around a rule rather than follow it.
Monkey years
People born in these years are Monkeys (check the Chinese New Year cut-off if you were born in January or February):
1932 · 1944 · 1956 · 1968 · 1980 · 1992 · 2004 · 2016 · 2028 · 2040
Monkey compatibility
- Best match: Snake — the classic "secret friend" pairing.
- Also strong: Rat, Dragon (same affinity triangle).
- Hardest match: Tiger (direct opposition).
See how the Monkey pairs with all 12 signs →
The Monkey by element
Every Monkey also has one of five elements, set by the birth year: Wood Monkey · Fire Monkey · Earth Monkey · Metal Monkey · Water Monkey. The element colours the personality — see how the five elements work.
Lucky for the Monkey
Numbers: 4, 9. Colors: white, gold, blue. Suggested careers: engineer, comedian, trader, marketer, filmmaker.
Frequently asked questions
What years are Monkey years?
Recent Monkey years are 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040. They repeat every 12 years. If you were born in January or February, check the Chinese New Year date for your year.
What is the Monkey personality like?
Monkeys are fast learners and natural problem-solvers with a sharp sense of humor. They improvise well and rarely stay stuck. On the difficult side: They can be mischievous, easily bored, and tempted to cut corners. A Monkey may talk its way around a rule rather than follow it.
Who is the Monkey most compatible with?
The Snake (the "secret friend" pairing), plus the Rat and Dragon. The hardest match is the Tiger.
Is the Monkey a lucky sign?
No sign is luckier than another in the Chinese zodiac — each has strengths and weaknesses. The Monkey's lucky numbers are 4, 9 and lucky colors are white, gold, blue.