猴Chinese zodiac · 9th sign
Year of the Monkey 猴 (hóu) · Clever, curious and endlessly inventive
The Monkey is the ninth sign and the zodiac’s great problem-solver. People born in a Monkey year are intelligent, witty and quick to learn.
- Yang sign
- Fixed element: Metal
- Hours: 3pm–5pm
- Branch: 申 shēn
Recent years
2004 · 2016 · 2028
Lucky numbers
4, 9
Lucky colors
White, gold, blue
Lucky flowers
Chrysanthemum, crape myrtle
Best matches
Rat, Dragon, Snake
Challenging matches
Tiger, Pig
Year of the Monkey dates
The Year of the Monkey comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Water Monkey is not quite the same as a Wood Monkey.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 6 Feb 1932 – 25 Jan 1933 | Water Monkey | 壬申 (rén shēn) |
| 1944 | 25 Jan 1944 – 12 Feb 1945 | Wood Monkey | 甲申 (jiǎ shēn) |
| 1956 | 12 Feb 1956 – 30 Jan 1957 | Fire Monkey | 丙申 (bǐng shēn) |
| 1968 | 30 Jan 1968 – 16 Feb 1969 | Earth Monkey | 戊申 (wù shēn) |
| 1980 | 16 Feb 1980 – 4 Feb 1981 | Metal Monkey | 庚申 (gēng shēn) |
| 1992 | 4 Feb 1992 – 22 Jan 1993 | Water Monkey | 壬申 (rén shēn) |
| 2004 | 22 Jan 2004 – 8 Feb 2005 | Wood Monkey | 甲申 (jiǎ shēn) |
| 2016 | 8 Feb 2016 – 27 Jan 2017 | Fire Monkey | 丙申 (bǐng shēn) |
| 2028 | 26 Jan 2028 – 12 Feb 2029 | Earth Monkey | 戊申 (wù shēn) |
| 2040 | 12 Feb 2040 – 31 Jan 2041 | Metal Monkey | 庚申 (gēng shēn) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
Monkey personality
Monkeys are inventive and mischievous, with a fast mind and a love of games. They adapt to almost anything and can talk their way into, and out of, most situations. Boredom is their real enemy.
Strengths
- Inventive problem-solver
- Quick learner
- Witty and entertaining
- Versatile and adaptable
Weaknesses
- Easily bored
- Can be cunning or opportunistic
- Restless
- Struggles to finish long projects
The five types of Monkey
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Monkey’s own fixed element is Metal, and each Monkey year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Monkey love and compatibility
Monkeys are fun, flirtatious and curious about people. They commit when a partner keeps them intellectually engaged.
In Chinese astrology the Monkey gets on best with the Rat, Dragon and Snake. The Tiger is the Monkey’s opposite sign, and the Pig can also be a testing match.
Monkey career and wellbeing
Career and money
Monkeys suit fast-moving work where ingenuity counts. They pick up new skills quickly and enjoy solving puzzles others give up on.
- Technology and engineering
- Science and invention
- Trading and sales
- Entertainment and comedy
Health and wellbeing
Monkeys are active but scattered. Regular routines and enough sleep help their busy minds slow down.
Lucky numbers: 4, 9. Lucky colors: white, gold, blue. Lucky flowers: Chrysanthemum, crape myrtle.
The Monkey in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
A steady year for the Monkey. In 2026 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
A steady year for the Monkey. In 2027 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
The Monkey in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Monkey helped steer the raft it shared with the Goat and Rooster, and finished ninth.
The Monkey is the 9th sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 申 (shēn), the hours 3pm–5pm and Yang energy.
Monkey questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Monkey?
Recent Years of the Monkey are 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 and 2028. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Monkey’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Monkey are traditionally clever, curious and playful. Monkeys are inventive and mischievous, with a fast mind and a love of games.
Who is the Monkey most compatible with?
The Monkey is most compatible with the Rat, Dragon and Snake. The most challenging matches are the Tiger and Pig.
What are the Monkey’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Monkey’s lucky numbers are 4, 9 and its lucky colors are white, gold, blue. Numbers traditionally avoided are 2, 7, and colors to avoid are red, pink.
What element is the Monkey?
The Monkey’s fixed element is Metal. In addition, every Monkey year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Monkey, Fire Monkey, Earth Monkey, Metal Monkey and Water Monkey.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.
