The joyous, playful, versatile, witty and curious Monkey – the born entertainer

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb."

Sir Winston Churchill, Thoughts and Adventures, Painting as a Pastime essay

Monkeys are exactly the opposite of the serious and tranquil Oxen who prefer resting in the serenity of their homes to the loudness and fuss of a big party. These individuals hardly miss any party and, as a matter of fact, along with the Horses or Tigers, they are the heart and soul of any social event, as long as it involves having fun and feeling good. The epitome of versatility and flexibility, very social and communicative, they usually attract all the attention when in a group, and they greatly enjoy being in the limelight. Unlike the more reserved Rabbits or the shy Sheep, Monkeys feel at ease when surrounded by as many people as possible, while being unnoticed or left alone are very cruel methods of punishment for them.

Those born in this year are very friendly, resourceful and vivace to match their hectic and charming personality, always ready to have a pleasant conversation or cheer up someone. Consequently, whenever sad or depressed and at a loss for ideas about how to get over such unpleasant states, try calling a 9-1-1 Monkey, as this jolly creature will surely provide you with plenty of help in this respect. There is no other person in the Chinese Zodiac with a more optimist view on life than the Monkey and they do not mind sharing this. If you see only the dark side of things in general and the glass as being only half empty, consider it lucky to have an individual born in the year of this playful animal in your group of friends. With their stamina and buoyancy, they will be there for you to brighten up your day and convince you to see things in a more positive light.

The magnetic charm of the Monkey derives not only from their social and outgoing nature, but also from the imaginative and creative mind they have been blessed with. They are always able to find solutions to any problems, as difficult as they may be, thanks to their agile mind which is never put to rest. Being great at problem-solving, they will always give their friends good and appropriate advices, suggestions or ideas about how to deal with complicated or tricky situations.

Monkeys make very good friends indeed, and anyone who has a friend born under this sign could confirm it. Besides the fact that they are extremely flexible, adaptable and always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone, friend or foe (as they do not hold grudges), they are very supportive, generous and affectionate, in some cases caring more about the wellbeing and happiness of their friends than that of their own. The instant they have found out that a friend has a problem or is in trouble, they will show up already prepared to enumerate ways in which the unfortunate situation may be solved. And when this happens, you should really follow a Monkey's advice, as his smartness and active mind will never let you down.

Curious, inquisitive and spontaneous, they always notice and remark anything that is going on around them. Make a test and ask an individual born under this sign to describe you a party where he was a couple of weeks or months before - he will certainly give you a very thorough and minute account of it, because these persons are very attentive and capable of bearing in mind the tiniest and seemingly insignificant detail.

Even if sometimes they are considered a bit too prying and nosy, according to Chinese mythology Monkeys are simply curious and their inquisitive and witty minds make them anxious to know and try anything. Not at all at risk to become too chit-chatty or gossipy due to their conversational style and interest in all things, these individuals are, exactly like Tigers and Horses, fascinated with first-hand experience. Having a low boredom threshold, but not as impatient as their counterparts in the astrological 'menagerie', they will leave a background which becomes too monotonous and does not incite them with new things and challenges anymore, looking for novelty and adventure somewhere else.

However, when it comes to their penchant for adventure, a distinction must be made between the Tigers and Horses, on the one hand, and the Monkeys on the other hand. If the former would prefer a more 'physical' challenge over a psychological one, namely which has a specific object and consists in the attainment of a goal (such as conquering a beautiful woman/ man, reaching a position of leadership etc.), the latter are big fans of complicated mind games which they often use not for obtaining something in particular, but merely to psychologically manipulate, confuse and/ or intimidate the others just for fun.

There have been many debates when it comes to the reliability and trustworthiness of a Monkey. Some experts argue that people born under this sign innately possess these qualities to the full, while others state that Monkeys are very shrewd and sly and they will use anything against you as long as this serves their interests. Like in most such cases, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle - these people may not be the most veracious and dependable individuals who have walked the Earth, but neither are they as deceitful and beguiling as some may think.

As the closest to the human being of all the other zoomorphic representations in the Chinese astrology, the Monkey has inherited from mankind the razor-sharp intelligence and wittiness, but also his ability and habit to lie and delude the others in his endeavoring to achieve his own interests. Consequently, we could say that a Monkey is worth confiding in as long as he has nothing to gain from you and no hidden intention which may make him use contrivance until he has achieved his goal.

However, contrary to the general belief, we should not run as fast as we can when a person born in the year of the Monkey approaches us, as this may be a wrong thing to do - though their bright mind may often turn into cunningness and ploy, once you have won a Monkey's heart he will be there for you always, both through thick and thin. The ugly, devious and shrewd duckling transforms into a completely sincere, open and devoted prince once you prove him that you are a true friend to him. Indeed, people born in the year of the Monkey can be faithful, loyal and reliable friends, but not just with everyone. Even if usually surrounded by a large number of people, they would choose very few of them to keep as best friends, whom to keep closer to their hearts and talk honestly to. The others will be just the army of admirers who make a Monkey feel good by putting him at the center of their attention.

When it comes to attaining their goals in life the highly imaginative, brilliant and very ambitious Monkeys will not stop short of anything until they have achieved all they have put their minds to. They will not hesitate to resort to cleverly forged schemes, deceit and treachery to get what they want from the others. They would even be capable of feeding off the others as long as this helps them obtain what they are after - fame, power etc.

Very shrewd and intelligent, a Monkey is very rarely caught while deluding or swindling people, because he knows how to carefully hide his intentions and make all the web of intrigues and spun-out stratagems look very natural to the others. We should all face it: two of the major downsides of the Monkey are his lack of scruples and his ability to live with himself and have a good night's rest while manipulating and beguiling the others. Furthermore, most of the times the penetrating and intuitive mind of these individuals will even help them know when something is not going to work - such as an undertaking or enterprise which has no chance of becoming successful, a sly plan which will not be accomplished etc. - and consequently put an end to it before it is too late and too many resources have been spent.

There are also cases in which, when someone penetrates his disguise and lays bare all the plots and ploys a Monkey has thought up, he will not persist in lying and admit it only because he realizes it would be useless to continue with the plan. But this does not discourage him, and he will come up with another ingeniously 'crafted' one as soon as the case may be, without looking behind.

However, you should not think that the canny and assertive Monkeys would stop playing their tricky and deceitful games or admit of weaving complicated webs of intrigue simply because they care about what others think, because in this case you would be completely wrong. A Monkey is independent, free-spirited and self-sufficient and would not give the snap of a finger about negative 'reviews' coming from anyone. Still, it does not happen very often for a Monkey to be underestimated or criticized, because this is one lucky and charismatic individual who will always be in the limelight and have many friends and admirers.

The optimist and joyous Monkey is not an idealist one, though he may sometimes seem to be a bit dreamy. But this is only an appearance, because deep down within such an individual is perfectly aware of all that happens around him and what are the odds of achieving or accomplishing anything. Even if it is very hard to find the precise words for defining his view on life and the world, I think that the most appropriate would be to call him the 'optimist-realist' or a 'happy pessimist'. The Monkey is not an idealist like most optimist people and you will never meet one with quixotic dream (like many individuals born in the year of the Dragon are), but on the other hand one could not describe him as a pessimist simply because a Monkey is not to be seen sad or depressed very often. Therefore, we should see in a Monkey a mélange consisting of the cheerfulness and enthusiasm pertaining to an optimist, the presence of mind, the pragmatism and practicality of a realist and sometimes the uncertainty and instability of a pessimist.

Indeed, even if very self-confident to the point of becoming selfish, the lively and playful Monkeys sometimes experience the hesitation and qualm which usually characterize the sensitive and emotional signs in the Chinese astrology, such as the Sheep. However, they will not let anyone know this, because they want to hide all their worries, weaknesses and grief underneath the mask of joviality. Overall, they are extrovert individuals with a minor tendency towards introversion, in that they want the others to only see them as the funny and careless people who offer help and support to the others, but who do not need them in return.

When it comes to the career, the versatile and smart people born under this sign would surely fit any type of job, from those in the creative field - advertising, mass-media and entertainment (give a Monkey a boring book and he will make it a very successful stand-up comedy show out of it) - to Politics (the shrewd, tactful and diplomat Monkey really knows how to turn tables into his favor under the most adverse conditions), Marketing, Sales and Public Relations. Given the fact that these individuals are calculated and organized, cunning and flexible and at the same time very social and outgoing, they would also make great leaders. And indeed most of Monkeys have a more than successful career in any field they opt for, because they are fortunate by nature, wise, ingenious, enterprising, up-and-coming and also opportunistic, knowing to use any situation in their favor - all in all, they have all that it takes to reach a position of power.

The lucky and ambitious Monkey will earn large amounts of money throughout his life, because he really knows how to use any occasion to improve his financial and material status. One will scarcely meet a person born in the year of this witty animal who would help him pro bono, out of altruism, because they usually think about themselves and afterwards about the others. Money means a lot to the Monkey, but not because he is the close-fisted and stingy type. On the contrary, such an individual craves to have more money just to have more to spend in order to acquire all expensive and luxurious things he wants.

The Monkey and Love

Both males and females born in the year of the bright and vivace Monkey make great lovers who are not at all prude or shy and always willing to experience new things in the bedroom. Their enthusiasm, playfulness and dynamism transform them into wellsprings of raw sexual energy, being capable of satisfying even the most finical partner.

However, we should all be aware that the Monkey is merely and plainly a sexual acrobat with appetite for sex in all its forms, therefore they greatly enjoy having sex for the physical pleasure and they want to experience as more as possible in this 'field' driven by their innate curiosity. But if you expect a Monkey to make tender love under the moonlight or in a bed of roses by candlelight or to wake you up after a steamy night with a sweet kiss and a romantic breakfast in bed, then you have definitely chosen the wrong person. When it comes down to relationships and intimate relations, individuals born in this year are not very romantic or chivalrous; they are simply the 'realists' of this crazy little thing called love.

The charismatic, polite and captivating Monkey is a real conqueror of the opposite sex. Women will fall for the jovial, communicative and brilliant Monkey male at the same extent as men will fall for the fashionable, distinguished and compelling female Monkey. With their magnetic charm and allure, these possessor of playful and joyous demeanor are able of literally bewitching anyone, they have an army of admirers following them anywhere and they definitely leave behind many victims crying for their love.

However, this is one slippery and hard-to-get exemplary of human being, because they are very polite and easygoing, but at the same time extremely hard to get and conquer. Do not hope that a fiery and steamy night in the bedroom guarantees you the beginning of a beautiful and long lasting relationship with a Monkey. Along with the Tigers and Horses, Monkeys are the conquerors, the adventurers and trophy men of the Chinese 'menagerie' - they usually take 'boudoir' relations as experiences which are naturally left behind after reveled in for heading towards new, more challenging ones.

How to conquer and make an individual born in the year of the Monkey keep to a long-term relationship and eventually settle down and have a family? This is a tough one, though not impossible. First of all, bear in mind the fact that Monkeys have a low boredom threshold and they will instantly give up a 'lukewarm', 'mellow' relationship without ups and downs, which does not offer them excitement, passion and new challenges to experience. Do not forget that this is a very dynamic, enthusiast and restless person you want to keep close to you, therefore do not hand your heart on a plate to him, instead wrap yourself in a thin, but still perceivable shroud of mystery and amaze him daily in order to keep him rapt.

Also remember that sex is very important to these agile and hectic individuals, but not to the point of being the only thing they ask for in a long-term relationship. If sex is good, then the conversation must be at least equally good - show them that you are a very interesting, keen, funny, original and spontaneous person and you are very likely to have the overly-selective Monkey eating out from the palm of your hand.

Monkey info:

Main Years for the Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

Earth Monkey: February 2, 1908 - January 21, 1909; January 30, 1968 - February 16, 1969

Metal Monkey: January 21, 1920 - February 7, 1921; February 16, 1980 - February 3, 1981

Water Monkey: February 7, 1932 - January 25, 1933

Wood Monkey: January 26, 1944 - February 12, 1945

Fire Monkey: February 12, 1956 - January 30, 1957

Broad equivalent in the European Zodiac: Leo

Lucky gemstone: Peridot

Famous people born in the year of the Monkey: Andy Garcia, Alexandro Sanz, Will Smith, Tom Hanks, Ashley Judd, Celine Dion, Christina Ricci, Christina Aguilera, George Lucas, Jake Gylenhall, Elizabeth Taylor, Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, President Harry S. Truman, Michael Douglas, Marc Anthony, Kim Cattrall etc.

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