What will Year of the Monkey mean for you?

Today we welcome the Chinese New Year, and 2016 heralds the year of the monkey.

The monkey is ninth of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle. In Chinese astrology, as well as association with an animal, each year is also linked to one of the five elements: gold (metal), water, wood, fire, or earth.

Both the sign and the element of your birth year are said to affect your personality and destiny. 2016 means the year of the fire monkey, and people born in this year in particular are ambitious and adventurous, but tend to be irritable.

Monkey years are believed to be unlucky for people born in them and many consider it to be the most unlucky of all the zodiac signs. In a monkey year such as this one, superstitious monkeys will need to be particularly careful about their health, love lives, career, and investments. Unfortunately, everything points to disaster for monkeys in 2016, so those who will be 12, 24, 36, 48 and onwards this zodiac year should tread cautiously. It’s not all bad though, and many Chinese believe you can turn misfortune to fortune by seeking the blessing of lucky stars. Perhaps now is an appropriate time to mention all things auspicious for monkeys:

• Lucky numbers: 4 and 9
  
• Lucky days: the 14th and 28th of any Chinese lunar calendar month
• Lucky colours: white, blue, gold
• Lucky flowers: chrysanthemum, crape-myrtle
• Lucky directions: north, northwest, west
• Lucky months: Chinese lunar months 8 and 12

And monkeys should avoid the following::

• Unlucky colours: red, pink
• Unlucky numbers: 2 and 7
• Unlucky directions: south, southeast
• Unlucky months: Chinese lunar months 7 and 11

Personality traits of the monkey

People born in a year of the monkey are witty and intelligent with a magnetic personality. Traits like mischievousness and curiosity combined with a sharp brain mean they can be very  innovative but also a little naughty. Monkeys are masters of the practical joke, fast learners and crafty opportunists. Although they have enviable skills, they still have several shortcomings, such as an impetuous temper, a tendency to jealousy and an inclination to look down upon others.

Monkeys have many interests and need partners who are capable of stimulating them. While some enjoy the eccentric nature of monkeys, others do not trust their sly, restless, and inquisitive nature. Monkeys like to be challenged and generally prefer urban life to rural.

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

A year of money for monkeys?

Although the outlook in 2016 is generally bleak, there is the possibility of unexpected fortune for monkeys in 2016. The best months for monkeys to make their fortune will be the second and twelfth Chinese lunar months, during which they should make full use of their time to invest and cash in. However, monkeys should avoid gambling, speculating, and collecting illegal or greedy gains, or they will lose everything they have, especially in the third Chinese lunar month.

Take care when crossing the road!

Monkeys will be plagued by minor illnesses this year, however, will not come to much harm if careful to follow medical advice. Common monkey illnesses are of the nervous or circulatory system. Their health horoscope is never above neutral, but worst in the fourth and tenth Chinese lunar months. Those born in a year of the monkey often spend too much time at work and should remember to protect their health by taking regular breaks and holidays. Monkeys should be particularly aware of road safety in 2016 and avoid taking risks when in a car or around traffic.

Monkey relationships in 2016

The love life of monkeys may be a little dull in 2016. The more they long for a relationship, the harder it will be for them to get one. They may find romance if they allow it to happen naturally, especially in the seventh and twelfth Chinese lunar months. A happy ending for monkeys is possible if they seize the right opportunities. Monkeys are not normally very quick to settle down, as they tend to be promiscuous and are easily bored. Since monkeys love to talk and are extremely sociable, they are open and easy to communicate with in a relationship.

According to the Chinese zodiac, compatibility in love takes into account the unique characteristics of each animal. Only those whose characteristics match each other well can be good partners. The monkey is best when partnered with an ox or a rabbit, and relationships with tigers or pigs are likely to be disastrous.

All that remains is to send our wishes that 2016 is filled with much luck and prosperity, whether you are a monkey or otherwise. 新年好 / 新年好 (Xīnnián hǎo) – Happy New Year!