Chinese Zodiac
Year of the Monkey
Shen (申), the 9th of the 12 Earthly Branches.
Quick Answer
People born in the Year of the Monkey include those born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 and 2028, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Monkey is the Year of the Earth Monkey, from January 26, 2028 to February 12, 2029. The Monkey is clever, playful, inventive and curious.
Years of the Monkey
Each year starts at Lunar New Year. If your birthday falls before the start date, you belong to the previous animal.
| Year | Sexagenary Name | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 Water Monkey | Ren Shen (壬申) | ||
| 1944 Wood Monkey | Jia Shen (甲申) | ||
| 1956 Fire Monkey | Bing Shen (丙申) | ||
| 1968 Earth Monkey | Wu Shen (戊申) | ||
| 1980 Metal Monkey | Geng Shen (庚申) | ||
| 1992 Water Monkey | Ren Shen (壬申) | ||
| 2004 Wood Monkey | Jia Shen (甲申) | ||
| 2016 Fire Monkey | Bing Shen (丙申) | ||
| 2028 Earth Monkey | Wu Shen (戊申) | ||
| 2040 Metal Monkey | Geng Shen (庚申) |
Every Monkey year from 1900 to 2100 is in the full table.
Monkey Personality
The Monkey is associated with ingenuity, humor and a love of solving puzzles. It learns fast and adapts to anything, and it can grow mischievous, scattered or careless with other people's feelings.
Strengths: Intelligence, wit, versatility, curiosity. Challenges: Mischief, restlessness, opportunism.
The year element adds its own color: a Fire Monkey is more outgoing and a Water Monkey more reflective. Find your element by birth year in the table above.
The Monkey in the Year of the Fire Horse
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Monkey is not in conflict with Tai Sui. Its relationship with the Horse year sign is neutral.
Monkey Compatibility
The Monkey's best matches are the Snake, Rat and Dragon (Six Harmonies with the Snake, the Water trine with the Rat and Dragon). Its classical clash is with the Tiger.
| Sign | Relationship | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Snake | Six Harmonies (Liu He) | The closest classical pairing: complementary and supportive. |
| Rat | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Dragon | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Ox | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Rabbit | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Horse | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Goat | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Rooster | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Dog | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Pig | Harm (Liu Hai) | Subtle misunderstandings that need patience. |
| Tiger | Clash (Liu Chong) | Opposite signs: strong attraction or friction, rarely indifference. |
Are You a Monkey?
Check a birthday against the exact Lunar New Year date.
The Other Animals
Questions About the Monkey
What Years Are the Year of the Monkey?
People born in the Year of the Monkey include those born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 and 2028, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Monkey is the Year of the Earth Monkey, from January 26, 2028 to February 12, 2029. The Monkey is clever, playful, inventive and curious.
What Is the Monkey Personality in the Chinese Zodiac?
The Monkey is associated with ingenuity, humor and a love of solving puzzles. It learns fast and adapts to anything, and it can grow mischievous, scattered or careless with other people's feelings. Strengths: Intelligence, wit, versatility, curiosity. Challenges: Mischief, restlessness, opportunism.
Who Is the Monkey Most Compatible With?
The Monkey's best matches are the Snake, Rat and Dragon (Six Harmonies with the Snake, the Water trine with the Rat and Dragon). Its classical clash is with the Tiger.
Is the Monkey in Conflict With Tai Sui This Year?
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Monkey is not in conflict with Tai Sui. Its relationship with the Horse year sign is neutral.
I Was Born in January or February. Am I a Monkey?
Your Chinese zodiac animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on January 1. Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20, so anyone born in January or early February may belong to the previous year's animal. BaZi (Four Pillars) charts use a second boundary, the solar term Li Chun (Start of Spring), on February 3, 4 or 5. Look up your exact birth date to see both.
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