Year of the Monkey

Year of the Monkey Infographic

People who are born in the Year of the Monkey are intelligent, witty, funny, outgoing, and are known for their magnetic personalities that draw in crowds. These are the most active of all the signs of the zodiac and are born with a sense of passion that comes from within. They are great talkers who love striking up a conversation with a stranger as much as they love chatting with friends. Quick-thinking and creative, they’re known for their great sense of humor and ability to turn even tense situations into light ones. They are quick-witted, dynamic thinkers who often enjoy playing practical jokes or making people laugh and tend to succeed in environments that thrive on change. Typically curious, they constantly seek out knowledge and enjoy learning new things.

The Story of the Monkey

Not long after the Horse and Snake crossed the finish line, the Sheep, Monkey, and Rooster were spotted crossing the river in a raft. The quick-thinking, ingenious Monkey had spotted a raft laying in tall weeds by the river bank as he made his way through the trees. He couldn’t get the heavy raft into the water by himself so the sturdy Sheep, who was close behind the Monkey in the race, helped push the raft with his head as the Monkey pulled it. Once in the water, both jumped in and were about to cast off from the shore when the Rooster came running through the trees shouting for them to wait. The Monkey and Sheep felt bad for the Rooster because he couldn’t fly and had no feasible way of crossing the river. So, they let him in the raft and the three crossed the river together, with the Monkey using a long stick he had found to help guide the raft. Once on the other side, the Monkey couldn’t get the raft ashore because the current was too strong so the Sheep jumped in the water and pushed the raft will all his might. The Emperor was so impressed with how well they worked together, and so awestruck by the Sheep’s selfless action at the end, that he promptly named the Sheep as the eighth finisher, the Monkey as the ninth, and the Rooster as the tenth.

Years and types

There are five elements that give the Monkey specific characteristics and personality traits beyond its symbol of wealth. The most recent years of the Monkey include  1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016. After 2019, the next two years we will be 2028 and 2040.

Famous people born in the year of the Monkey

In Western Countries

Leonardo da Vinci (born April 15, 1452) was an Italian Renaissance polymath whose areas of expertise included invention, drawing, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, and engineering. Charles Dickens (born Feb 7, 1812) was an English writer who created some of world’s best known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. Other celebrities born in the year of the monkey include British poet, peer, politician Lord Byron, Canadian economist Robert Mundell (born Oct 24, 1932), American filmmaker and creator of “Star Wars” George Lucas (born May 14, 1944), American magician David Copperfield (born Sept 16, 1956), and Brazilian footballer Neymar.

In China

Shi Nai’an (born 1296) was a Chinese writer from Suzhou. His masterpiece “Water Margin” is one of the four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

Jin Shengtan (born Aug 7, 1608) was a Chinese editor, writer, and critic who has been called the champion of Vernacular Chinese literature.

Eileen Chang (born Sept 30, 1920), was known as Zhang Ailing, a Chinese writer during the 20th century.

Fu Lei (born 1908) with his renowned rendition of “Balzac” and “Romain Rolland”, is China’s most respected translator of French literature.

Robin Li or Li Yanhong (born Nov 17, 1968) is a Chinese internet entrepreneur, co-founder of the search engine Baidu, and currently one of the richest people in China.

Zhang Yishan (born May 5, 1992) is a prominent former Chinese child star and actor. He is noted for his roles as Liu Xing in the family sitcom “Home with Kids” (2004), and as the star in the crime thriller “Yu Zui” (2016).

Personality Traits and Character

Positive personality traits

Witty, intelligent, curious, lively, cheerful, friendly, clever, innovative, outgoing, enthusiastic, charming, self-assured.

People born under the Monkey zodiac sign are funny, cheerful, entertaining, and friendly. They're exceptionally clever and intelligent people who will win most arguments or prevail in discussions as they’ll have the final say either through their wisdom or their humor. In fact, they are always full of new ideas and constantly seeking new challenges. They are famous for joking around and pulling pranks – which can make them popular amongst their many friends, but sometimes disliked by the prank targets. They are self-confident and very capable at achieving even lofty goals. Monkeys are also versatile and can easily adapt to changing environments. Monkeys are exceptionally curious individuals and will ask questions others take for granted – in fact, they are so driven by the pursuit of knowledge that they will ask questions over and over until they are satisfied they have the information they seek. Monkeys respect and admire intelligence and those who have the answers, but for those who don’t, they may get disregarded by the discerning Monkey.

Negative personality traits

May come across as thoughtless, phony, or arrogant. Suspicious, jealous, selfish, untrustworthy due to their joking/pranking nature, overly restless and unstable.

On the negative side, Monkeys can seem arrogant and that they are better than everyone else, even if this doesn’t accurately reflect their true feelings. They have trouble taking criticism or negative feedback and difficulty acknowledging that someone else is better than them. Monkeys are easily distracted and can often have trouble finishing what they start. They tend to be self-indulgent, seeking life’s pleasures instead of focusing on life’s necessities. Their free spirit sometimes makes them appear uncaring and inconsiderate to others. Monkeys can sometimes be reckless and secretive about what they want to do, and they prefer to rely on their own resources and talents instead of confiding in others. The Monkey always seems busy, trying to milk every last drop out of life, but this can lead to exhaustion, stress, and serious medical problems.

Exclusive Travel Destinations for the Monkey

You love communicating and sharing ideas. It is important for you to visit somewhere that stimulates your quick-witted brain and offers something to fit your nature. Xinjiang is definitely the place which provides a chain of novelty things. If you are interested, please check the Exclusive Travel Destinations for Chinese 12 Zodiac to know more details.

Love and Compatibility

Monkeys are charming, friendly, fun, easy to talk to … and even easier to fall for. They will try countless, creative ways to attract a person they like. Monkeys can sometimes be averse to commitment and often enjoy the social excitement of starting new romantic relationships. However, even though they may at first be slow to commit, once they realize that they've found their soulmate, they will be faithful, caring, loving, and attentive to their partner's likes and interests. Monkeys are passionate, fun-loving individuals who are not usually possessive or jealous. They inject excitement into life and their relationships, and being with a Money means there is rarely a dull moment. Their partners need to remember and understand their social nature and give them the freedom to responsibly enjoy and embrace it.

For Men

Before settling down, male Monkeys like to meet different people. They attract partners with their humor and friendliness and a relationship with him will probably be fun, refreshing, and exciting – there’s rarely a dull moment when dating a Monkey. However, they can be slow to commit and tend to marry late. Monkey men make great fathers as they are committed to imparting their vast knowledge to their children. It’s wise to give them space in the relationship and not get overly jealous when they want to socialize with friends. They need a lot of social freedom to be satisfied and to keep feeling like a young monkey. Welcome them home with open arms, don’t ask too many questions about where they’ve been, and they’ll make a wonderful mate for life.

For Women

Monkey women usually take time to find the right partner and will persevere until they do – they rarely settle for less than what they truly want. When beginning a relationship, they can lose interest quickly, so make sure to be creative and a little unpredictable – take her interesting places, try a new or unique activity, and don’t be afraid to show off your knowledge. It will normally not be important to her in what area or field your interests and knowledge lie, just as long as she knows you have interests and know a lot about things important to you. It’s important to follow a Monkey’s rhythm – she may be prone to emotional swings, but don’t take them too seriously, be patient, show support, and allow her time and space to work through what she’s feeling. Monkey women can be good mothers, but their partner may need to take on more of the parent role as Monkey women often have trouble with the routine required of family life. Make sure you keep up a lively social life and go out together often. Your Monkey woman needs to feel and explore the excitement of life for as long as she lives.

Best Matches: Rat, Ox, Dragon

1. Monkey and Rat

The Monkey and the Rat have similar personality traits and together they can achieve anything they want in life. They know how to keep each other interested with new things to do and different places to go, so their relationship will never become dull. They are both energetic, cheerful, intelligent, and highly sociable people who like to go out and spend time with their friends and families.

2. Monkey and Ox

The Monkey and the Ox have different personalities, but they complement each other and are highly compatible as a pair. The Monkey has great conversational skills and can help the Ox open up emotionally. Both signs love success, but they have different methods to achieve it. The Monkey will keep the fire of passion burning, while the Ox offers stability to the relationship. They have enough in common to stay together and enough differences to compensate where the other may be lacking.

3. Monkey and Dragon

The Monkey and the Dragon are both dynamic, highly active people who will keep each other stimulated by engaging in different pursuits and unique experiences. Their relationship is likely to be energetic and fast-paced because they are both ambitious, outgoing, and have many goals they’d like to accomplish. The goals of one may be different, but will likely complement, or be of interest to, the other. They are also both sociable and like to be surrounded by lots of friends. Neither are very jealous which gives each other the necessary freedom to feel comfortable and not overly constrained or trapped.

Worst Matches: Tiger, Snake, Pig

1. Monkey and Tiger

The Monkey and the Tiger have very different personalities and even though opposites often attract, these two signs have too many different priorities in life. The Monkey considers the Tiger to be idealistic and irrational, and the Tiger sees the Monkey as indifferent, irresponsible, and selfish. When it comes to relationships, each is looking for something that the other cannot provide and as a result, these two signs could find themselves spending too much time in conflict.

2. Monkey and Snake

The Monkey and the Snake are both intelligent and resourceful, but they have different approaches to life. Both signs are competitively intelligent, so their relationship could easily turn into a battle of wills and wits. Financial security is important to the Snake for long-term, as well as some short-term, goals, but the Monkey has a tendency to spend money impulsively. The calm and collected Snake feels that the Monkey is too rambunctious, while the Monkey thinks that the Snake is too laid-back and quiet. These signs can bring out the worst in each other and arguments usually abound.

3. Monkey and Pig

The Monkey and the Pig have too many differences and are incompatible as lovers. The Pig is emotional and sentimental, while the Monkey prefers to live life uncomplicated by unnecessary emotions. The Pig doesn't like the social nature of the Monkey and the Monkey perceives the Pig as idealistic and foolishly naive. The Pig also enjoys a more stable life with fewer new experiences, and the Monkey will get bored with monotony and repetition.

Lucky and Unlucky Things

Career and Health Outlook

Career

Monkeys are creative problem-solvers and have excellent communication skills. They're also curious, versatile, and can easily adapt to new environments and situations. Some Monkeys can be disorganized and easily distracted so they find it hard to keep to deadlines. Monkeys also tend to change jobs more often than other zodiac signs, so unless the job can hold their interest, they're likely to move on to something new and seemingly more exciting. Money for them is not viewed as necessary for survival. Instead, they view it more as a means to get the experiences they crave. Therefore, they may not save or invest their money appropriately when young.
Good career choices: inventors, public relations, diplomats, lawyers, teachers, writers, travel guides, comedians, actors, dancers, journalists.

Health

Constantly craving new experiences can cause Monkeys to forgo taking care of their health. They can suffer from nutritional deficiencies, like iron and vitamin D, so they either need to concentrate on eating better or taking a multi vitamin. Stress at work, from family matters, or anxiety caused by feeling trapped and not getting enough excitement can take a toll on their productivity as well as their physical and emotional health in youth and middle age. Depression is a risk for Monkeys who aren’t financially, or otherwise, able to fulfill their wishes in life.

Monkey Horoscope in 2024

2024 Overall: 5/5 stars

Monkeys, known for their high standards for themselves and others, often point out mistakes directly. It's advisable to adopt a more tactful approach, using harmonious methods in dealing with people.

Remember, monkeys, your intelligence is a powerful asset, but true influence comes from wielding it with grace and diplomacy. In 2024, let your cleverness guide you towards a more harmonious approach, where your sharp mind serves as a catalyst for success, not a source of friction.

Career: 5/5 stars

In your career, the positive momentum from 2023 continues in 2024, especially for those involved in business or entrepreneurship. Your capabilities will be acknowledged, and influential figures may seek opportunities to connect with you. Initiating proposals and showcasing your courage can earn you recognition and open up limitless prospects for the future.

Wealth: 5/5 stars

Stable income is in the cards, and if you have investments, the latter half of 2024 could bring fruitful returns. Be mindful of unexpected events, such as family or friends needing financial assistance; keeping some liquid cash on hand is advisable.

Love: 4/5 stars

In relationships, partners or family members may exhibit a strong stance, but it's essential to avoid confrontations. Taking the initiative to break the ice, setting aside pride, can keep the positive energy flowing and enhance your relationship luck.

Health: 4/5 stars

Concerning health, watch your step to avoid falls and focus on joint care, avoiding excessive burdens on your joints.

• Chinese Zodiac
• Year of the Rat
• Year of the Ox
• Year of the Tiger
• Year of the Rabbit
• Year of the Dragon - Zodiac Sign 2024
• Year of the Snake
• Year of the Horse
• Year of the Sheep | Goat
• Year of the Monkey
• Year of the Rooster
• Year of the Dog
• Year of the Pig
• Exclusive Travel Destinations for Chinese 12 Zodiac