Year of the Monkey
猴 · 申 (shēn)
Monkey Personality
The Monkey is the ninth sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. People born in the Year of the Monkey are inventive and intellectually curious. They enjoy solving puzzles and tend to find unconventional solutions to problems. Their sociable and witty nature makes them entertaining company, though their restless curiosity can sometimes lead them to take on too many projects at once.
Traits & Characteristics
Key Traits
- Sharp
- Smart
- Curious
- Mischievous
- Lively
Strengths
- Inventive
- Quick-witted
- Sociable
- Confident
Weaknesses
- Suspicious
- Restless
- Can be manipulative
Lucky Attributes
Lucky Numbers
4, 9
Lucky Colors
White, Blue, Gold
Lucky Directions
North, Northwest, West
Compatibility
The Monkey in 2026 & 2027
Metal is weakened by Fire — a year requiring more effort. The year's element works against yours, meaning results may require extra persistence. Conservation of resources is wise.
Metal is weakened by Fire — a year requiring more effort. The year's element works against yours, meaning results may require extra persistence. Conservation of resources is wise.
Years of the Monkey
The Monkeyrecurs every 12 years. Note that the Chinese zodiac follows the lunar calendar — if you were born in January or February, check whether your birth date fell before or after Chinese New Year that year.
| Year | Element | Yin/Yang | Full Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Wood | Yang | Yang Wood Monkey |
| 1956 | Fire | Yang | Yang Fire Monkey |
| 1968 | Earth | Yang | Yang Earth Monkey |
| 1980 | Metal | Yang | Yang Metal Monkey |
| 1992 | Water | Yang | Yang Water Monkey |
| 2004 | Wood | Yang | Yang Wood Monkey |
| 2016 | Fire | Yang | Yang Fire Monkey |
| 2028 | Earth | Yang | Yang Earth Monkey |
| 2040 | Metal | Yang | Yang Metal Monkey |
The Metal Element
The Monkey's fixed element is Metal, derived from its Earthly Branch (申). This element colors the Monkey's core characteristics regardless of birth year.
In the five-element cycle: Metal generates Water, controls Wood, and is strengthened by Earth. The birth year's element (from the Heavenly Stems) adds a second layer — which is why a Wood Monkey and a Metal Monkey can have quite different tendencies despite sharing the same animal sign.
Other Zodiac Animals
Related Topics
Monkey Horoscope 2026→
Detailed 2026 outlook for the Monkey
Bazi (Four Pillars) →
How the Earthly Branch 申 (shēn) factors into your birth chart
Zodiac Compatibility →
See how the Monkey matches with all 12 signs
Daily Horoscope →
Today’s reading for the Monkey and all zodiac signs
Birth Chart Calculator →
Go beyond the zodiac — calculate your full Bazi pillars
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This is a general reading based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. Your personalized reading based on your birth chart may differ.