Year of the Monkey
The Monkey is sign number 9 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Monkey year are traditionally described as clever, curious, inventive and playful. Its fixed element is Metal, and each Monkey year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Monkey
| Lucky numbers | 4, 9 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | White, Blue, Gold |
| Lucky directions | North, Northwest, West |
| Less favourable numbers | 2, 7 |
| Less favourable colors | Red, Pink |
| Less favourable directions | South, Southeast |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Rat, Dragon |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Snake |
| Clash (六冲) | Tiger |
| Harm (六害) | Pig |
| Punishment (刑) | Tiger, Snake |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Monkey years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | Metal Monkey | Feb 20, 1920 – Feb 7, 1921 |
| 1932 | Water Monkey | Feb 6, 1932 – Jan 25, 1933 |
| 1944 | Wood Monkey | Jan 25, 1944 – Feb 12, 1945 |
| 1956 | Fire Monkey | Feb 12, 1956 – Jan 30, 1957 |
| 1968 | Earth Monkey | Jan 30, 1968 – Feb 16, 1969 |
| 1980 | Metal Monkey | Feb 16, 1980 – Feb 4, 1981 |
| 1992 | Water Monkey | Feb 4, 1992 – Jan 22, 1993 |
| 2004 | Wood Monkey | Jan 22, 2004 – Feb 8, 2005 |
| 2016 | Fire Monkey | Feb 8, 2016 – Jan 27, 2017 |
| 2028 | Earth Monkey | Jan 26, 2028 – Feb 12, 2029 |
| 2040 | Metal Monkey | Feb 12, 2040 – Jan 31, 2041 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Monkey?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Monkey the lucky numbers 4, 9 and the less favourable numbers 2, 7.
What colors are lucky for the Monkey?
Lucky colors for the Monkey are White, Blue, Gold; less favourable colors are Red, Pink.
Which signs are most compatible with the Monkey?
The Monkey forms a harmonious trine with the Rat, Dragon and a “secret friend” pair with the Snake. Its classical clash is with the Tiger.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.