In the Chinese calendar, 2016 marks the Year of the Monkey. Discover when the Year of the Monkey begins and what this new addition to the Chinese calendar has to offer.

According to the Chinese calendar, 2016 is the Year of the Monkey. To be more accurate, it is the Year of the Fire Monkey as fire is the governing element of the two year-period corresponding to the year 4714 within the chronology of the Chinese calendar. The last Year of the Fire Monkey occurred in 1956.

What does the Zodiac symbol of the Monkey represent?

Within the Chinese Zodiac, the Monkey occupies the 9th position and symbolizes a curious, mischievous and playful character. As masters of practical jokes, those born under the zodiac sign of the Monkey can sometimes create ill will and hurt feelings despite their good intentions. According to the Chinese calendar, the Monkey is a fast learner and opportunistic. As such, people under the sign of the Monkey have a restless and eccentric nature that some find magnetic and others find difficult to trust.

Those born under the sign of the Monkey are compatible with a Rat or Dragon and incompatible with a Horse or Snake

When does the Year of the Monkey begin?

The Year of the Fire Monkey will begin on 8th February 2016 and finish on 27th January 2017, marking the beginning of the Year of the Rooster.