2016: The Year of the Monkey

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2016 is the year of the monkey. The Chinese Zodiac assigns an animal to every year in a repeating 12-year-cycle. The monkey is the ninth of the twelve signs. The next monkey year will not occur until 2028, twelve years from now.

The new year does not start on January 1, rather it starts on the Chinese New Year which changes year-to-year according to the Chinese lunar calendar! The official start of the year of the Monkey will be February 8, 2016.

If you are born in the year of the Monkey, you are a Monkey; just like Astrology zodiac signs are assigned to the month you were born in. Below are the years of the Monkey.

Years of the Monkey:

02/20/1920-02/07/1921
02/06/1932-01/25/1933
01/25/1944-02/12/1945
02/12/1956-01/30/1957
01/30/1968-02/16/1969
02/16/1980-02/04/1981
02/04/1992-01/22/1993
01/22/2004-02/08/2005
02/08/2016-01/27/2017
01/26/2028-02/12/2029

Character Traits of the Monkey

Those born in the year of the monkey are generally smart and wise with regards to work and wealth. Their witty intelligence gives them a magnetic personality and the ability to learn quickly and create crafty opportunities. At times, they can even be a bit mischievous, curious and clever, making them very naughty. Monkeys are often practical jokers and enjoy playing most of the time. If you are a Monkey, be sure your jokes do not hurt the feelings of other people.

Monkeys have a lot of interests and ideas and may need partners who can stimulate them. Monkeys enjoy and even thrive on a good challenge but cannot always exhibit their talents properly. Monkeys adapt well to changing environments and often exhibit good health. If a Monkey does feel ill, it is usually of the nervous or circulatory system.

When it comes to their careers, Monkeys work very hard. They can adapt to different working environments. Good career choices for monkeys are accounting and banking, science, engineering, stock market trading, air traffic control, film directing, jewelry, and salesmanship.

Monkey’s strengths include enthusiasm, self-assurance, social skills and innovation. Their weaknesses include jealousy, suspicion, selfishness and arrogance. Monkeys prefer urban life to rural, and their favorite pastime is people-watching.

What Type of Monkey Are You?

In addition to your Chinese zodiac sign, your birth year is assigned to one of five elements; Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth. These elements can better explain your character traits. Which element are you?

Metal Monkey – Years 1920 and 1980

Characteristics: Smart, quick-witted, and confident, but also irritable and stubborn. Metal Monkeys are determined and ambitious individuals and as a result, they’re often successful. Although they’re considered warm-hearted and very likeable, their preference in life is to be alone. Metal Monkeys are loyal to both their employers and their partners.

Water Monkey – Years 1932 and 1992

Characteristics: Smart, quick-witted, fond of being in the limelight, but haughty. Water Monkeys are extremely sensitive and often feel hurt by the things that are said to them. They refuse to show their sensitive side to others and as a result, are extreme jokesters. If they can stay focused, they can succeed, but more often than not, they’re easily distracted from their goals.

Wood Monkey – Years 1944 and 2004

Characteristics: Always ready to help others. Compassionate, with strong self-esteem, but stubborn. The Wood Monkey’s exceptional communication skills enable them to interact well with others. They’re hard workers who have a keen understanding of the way things operate.

Fire Monkey – Years 1956 and 2016

Characteristics: Ambitious and adventurous, but irritable. Full of strength and determination, Fire Monkeys are excellent at not only setting goals, but in meeting them as well. Others enjoy being in the company of Fire Monkeys, even though these Monkeys want the upper hand in every situation.

Earth Monkey – Years 1908 and 1968

Characteristics: Frank, optimistic, and fearless. Always the community activists, Earth Monkeys have an inherent desire to live life the “right” way. They’re very dependable and they take their work and their relationships seriously. In fact, they put forth 100% effort in everything they do. In return, Earth Monkeys expect respect from others.