Monkey compatibility Best and most challenging matches for the Monkey

The Monkey gets on best with the Rat, Dragon and Snake, and finds the Tiger and Pig the hardest to live with. Here is how the Monkey matches with every sign.

Best: Rat, Dragon, Snake
Opposite sign: Tiger

Monkey matches at a glance

Monkey compatibility chart

Pairing	Rating	Why
Monkey and Rat	Excellent	Same compatibility triangle. The clever Monkey and the quick-witted Rat see the world in a similar way and bring out the best in each other.
Monkey and Ox	Good	A workable match. The Monkey’s curious nature and the Ox’s patient nature can balance well when both make room for the other.
Monkey and Tiger	Challenging	Opposite signs on the zodiac wheel. The clever Monkey and the brave Tiger want different things, so this match needs patience and compromise.
Monkey and Rabbit	Good	A workable match. The Monkey’s curious nature and the Rabbit’s diplomatic nature can balance well when both make room for the other.
Monkey and Dragon	Excellent	Same compatibility triangle. The clever Monkey and the ambitious Dragon see the world in a similar way and bring out the best in each other.
Monkey and Snake	Excellent	Traditional “secret friends”. The Snake quietly supports the Monkey, and trust builds quickly between them.
Monkey and Horse	Good	A workable match. The Monkey’s curious nature and the Horse’s independent nature can balance well when both make room for the other.
Monkey and Goat	Good	A workable match. The Monkey’s curious nature and the Goat’s creative nature can balance well when both make room for the other.
Monkey and Monkey	Mixed	Two Monkeys understand each other instinctively but share the same blind spots.
Monkey and Rooster	Good	A workable match. The Monkey’s curious nature and the Rooster’s hard-working nature can balance well when both make room for the other.
Monkey and Dog	Good	A workable match. The Monkey’s curious nature and the Dog’s honest nature can balance well when both make room for the other.
Monkey and Pig	Difficult	A pairing that can rub the wrong way. Misunderstandings come easily between the Monkey and the Pig, so clear communication matters.

How Chinese zodiac compatibility works

Traditional compatibility is based on where two signs sit on the zodiac wheel.

Triangles of affinity: signs four years apart share a similar temperament. The Monkey belongs with the Rat and the Dragon.
Secret friends: each sign has one quiet ally. The Monkey’s is the Snake.
Opposite signs: signs six years apart pull in different directions. The Monkey’s opposite is the Tiger.
Uneasy pairs: a few pairings tend to misread each other. For the Monkey that is the Pig.

These are tendencies, not verdicts. A challenging match can work very well when both people understand where the friction comes from. See the full Chinese zodiac compatibility chart.

The Monkey in love

Monkeys are fun, flirtatious and curious about people. They commit when a partner keeps them intellectually engaged.

What works

A partner who appreciates that the Monkey is clever and curious
Shared goals with the Rat or Dragon
The steady support of the Snake

What to watch

Easily bored
Can be cunning or opportunistic
Different priorities with the Tiger

Read the full Year of the Monkey guide →

Monkey compatibility questions, answered

Who is the Monkey most compatible with?

The Monkey is most compatible with the Rat, Dragon and Snake. The first two share the Monkey’s compatibility triangle, and the Snake is its traditional secret friend.

Who should the Monkey avoid?

The hardest matches for the Monkey are the Tiger, its opposite sign, and the Pig. These pairings are not doomed, but they take more patience and compromise.

Are two Monkeys compatible?

Two Monkeys understand each other instinctively but share the same blind spots.

Does my element affect compatibility?

Yes. The animal sign gives the broad picture, and the element of each birth year adds detail. Elements that generate each other, such as Wood and Fire, tend to get on more easily than elements that control each other, such as Water and Fire.