Monkey traits
People born in the Year of the Monkey are traditionally described as clever, curious and playful. The year’s element – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water – is said to add its own flavour, so a Fire Monkey and a Water Monkey are not quite alike.
Compatibility
- Best matches: Rat and Dragon (the same group of four), and the Snake (its “secret friend”).
- Least compatible: the Tiger, six places away on the wheel.
Every Year of the Monkey, 1900–2099
| Year | Element | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Metal (Yang) | Jan 31, 1900 | Feb 18, 1901 |
| 1912 | Water (Yang) | Feb 18, 1912 | Feb 5, 1913 |
| 1924 | Wood (Yang) | Feb 5, 1924 | Jan 23, 1925 |
| 1936 | Fire (Yang) | Jan 24, 1936 | Feb 10, 1937 |
| 1948 | Earth (Yang) | Feb 10, 1948 | Jan 28, 1949 |
| 1960 | Metal (Yang) | Jan 28, 1960 | Feb 14, 1961 |
| 1972 | Water (Yang) | Feb 15, 1972 | Feb 2, 1973 |
| 1984 | Wood (Yang) | Feb 2, 1984 | Feb 19, 1985 |
| 1996 | Fire (Yang) | Feb 19, 1996 | Feb 6, 1997 |
| 2008 | Earth (Yang) | Feb 7, 2008 | Jan 25, 2009 |
| 2020 | Metal (Yang) | Jan 25, 2020 | Feb 11, 2021 |
| 2032 | Water (Yang) | Feb 11, 2032 | Jan 30, 2033 |
| 2044 | Wood (Yang) | Jan 30, 2044 | Feb 16, 2045 |
| 2056 | Fire (Yang) | Feb 15, 2056 | Feb 3, 2057 |
| 2068 | Earth (Yang) | Feb 3, 2068 | Jan 22, 2069 |
| 2080 | Metal (Yang) | Jan 22, 2080 | Feb 8, 2081 |
| 2092 | Water (Yang) | Feb 7, 2092 | Jan 26, 2093 |
Frequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Monkey?
Recent Monkey years are 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020. Each starts at Chinese New Year, between January 21 and February 20.
When is the next Year of the Monkey?
From Wednesday, February 11, 2032 – the Water Monkey year.
What is the Monkey compatible with?
Traditionally the Rat and Dragon, and its “secret friend” the Snake. It is said to clash with the Tiger.
I was born in January or February – am I a Monkey?
Only if your birthday is on or after Chinese New Year in your birth year. The table below gives the exact start date of every Monkey year.
Find your own animal and element from your date of birth with the Chinese Zodiac Calculator. The other animals: Ox, Rabbit, Horse, Goat, Rooster, Dog and Pig.