Years of the Monkey 1956 · 1968 · 1980 · 1992 · 2004 · 2016 · 2028

The Year of the Monkey comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2028, the Year of the Earth Monkey, which begins on 26 Jan 2028.

Every 12 years
Next: 2028
Sign: 9th of 12

Year of the Monkey chart

The table shows every Year of the Monkey from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.

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.

When is the next Year of the Monkey?

The next Year of the Monkey is 2028, the Year of the Earth Monkey. It runs from 26 Jan 2028 to 12 Feb 2029. After that the Monkey returns in 2040.

What each element means for the Monkey

Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Monkey’s character.

Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián

When the Monkey year comes round, everyone born under the Monkey is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.

Read the full Year of the Monkey guide for personality, compatibility and career.

Years of the Monkey questions, answered

What years are the Year of the Monkey?

The Years of the Monkey are 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 and 2040. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.

When is the next Year of the Monkey?

The next Year of the Monkey is 2028, the Year of the Earth Monkey. It runs from 26 Jan 2028 to 12 Feb 2029.

Is my own zodiac year unlucky?

Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.