Year of the Monkey: 8 Fascinating Facts

Year of the Monkey: 8 Fascinating Facts
  • The Chinese Zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle with each year represented by an animal; 2016 was the Year of the Fire Monkey, a rare event recurring every 60 years.
  • The five-element theory (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth) deeply influences the characteristics of each zodiac year, with 2016 specifically linked to the Fire element, symbolizing passion and transformation.
  • According to Chinese superstition, individuals born in the Year of the Monkey should exercise caution during Monkey years to avoid bad luck, relying on patience and calmness to overcome challenges.
  • Red is a powerful color in Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolizing happiness and good fortune, and is traditionally used in decorations to ward off evil spirits and negative energy.
  • The number eight (‘Ba’), associated with wealth and prosperity, is considered extremely lucky in Chinese culture, exemplified by its prominent role in events like the Beijing Olympic Games.

Happy Lunar New Year!

The Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year, but it is always on the second moon right after the winter solstice. According to the Chinese calendar, the New Year has begun on 8th of February and it ends on the 27th of January 2017. The Monkey dwells in the ninth spot of Chinese Zodiac, and each year is related to a Chinese zodiac animal according to the 12-year-cycle.

The special thing this year is that it comes in a more sophisticated philosophy, where almost everyone in the world is celebrating the most ancient calendars of our existence today. The Year of the Monkey has been celebrated in London and all around the globe. The main celebrations in London take place in Central London, with the main parade this Sunday and it is expected to be the greatest outside of Asia.

Want to know how can you Gregorian date of birth, reveal your sign in the lunar calendar?

What lies in wait for you in the Year of the Monkey 2016-2017?

Here are 8 fascinating facts about the Year of the Monkey to help celebrate this holiday:

1.Year of the Monkey: The Twelve Year Cycle

Based on a 12-year-cycle, Chinese Zodiac, is also known as Sheng Xiao:

In this Cycle, each year is manifested relatively to an animal sign. The signs are: Rat-Ox-Tiger-Rabbit-Dragon-Snake-Horse-Sheep-Rooster-Dog-Pig. Consequently, these signs are calculated according to the ancient Chinese lunar calendar.

Chinese new year

2.Year of the Monkey: The Five Types of Monkey

2016 is a Fire Monkey year, which will not be seen again until 2076.

Each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) according to the Chinese theory of elements. For example, the fire monkey comes once in a 60-year cycle. This theorizes that there are five types of Monkey year, and monkey years of each element occur once in a 60-year cycle.

monkey standing orange

3. Year of the Monkey: The Five Elements

The five-element theory of Chinese philosophy,

Several traditional Chinese philosophies used to explain a wide assortment of phenomena, from cosmic cycles to the interaction between elements and zodiac. Also known as the five phases, the five movements and the five planets, are an expression of a five-fold experimental plot.

A Chinese girl performs a dance in a park during the Chinese Lunar New Year

4. Year of the Monkey: The Sign of Jinx

In Chinese horoscopes when a Monkey meets another Monkey, they consider it a sign of jinx.

That means people born in the year of Monkey won’t be lucking during Monkey years. With this in mind, according to folklore, those born in a year of the Monkey should be more careful in lunar year 2016. However the philosophy to help you avoid the jinx hides behind your calm, wisdom and patience.

Story: Monkey is passing by a land with a local Monkey tyrant in charge. If the traveling Monkey can keep quiet, then it will be safe and pass the land. If the traveling Monkey wants to mess with or challenge the tyrant, then trouble will come to the traveling Monkey during its journey.

year of the monkey china

5. Year of the Monkey: Superstition

China, a land of many popular beliefs, customs and superstitions.

Superstitions makes a great portion of the Chinese way of living. These beliefs and customs may be termed as superstitions. They may have their own merits and demerits. Nonetheless they form part of the epitome of life in this Oriental land.

year of the monkey

6.Year of the Monkey: Think red

Happiness and good fortune:

The red color has been associated with “happiness and good fortune” since lunar years now and is so this year.

According to Chinese rituals, some functions can help people fend off bad luck in a zodiac year, decorating with red for example. This color symbolizes fire and wards off evil spirits. In Chinese believes, the cosmos mirrors the Five Elements, therefore each color represents or is associated with a symbolic meaning.

year of the monkey

7.Year of the Monkey: Chinese Zodiac

What lies in wait for you in the Year of the Monkey ?

Based on your birth year, Zodiac year is any year of your Chinese zodiac animal sign.

The prediction for 2016 lunar year have definite answers to your questions. Owing to its five thousand years of existence, the lunar calendar answers can prove to be astoundingly timely and accurate.

Chinese Horoscope 2016 – Year Of The Monkey 2016

year of the monkey

8.Year of the Monkey: 8 Your Lucky Number

In Chinese, eight is pronounced ‘Ba’, and assignable to its similar pronunciation with ‘Fa’ (wealth or fortune is Chinese) this number is considered a lucky number among Chinese people. We have also witnessed the popularity of this number with its relation to the Beijing Olympic Games which started at exactly eight o’clock eight minutes on the eighth day of the eighth month in 2008.

year of the monkey

Happy Year Of The Monkey!

How are you incorporating Chinese philosophies and rituals in your life? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box below!

Looking for decorative ideas to inspire your New Year’s decorations? You can find ideas and unique handcrafted mosaic artworks to create a perfectly balanced and harmonious environment for you and your loved ones.

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