Monkeys never lived wild in Korea, so the animal came into Korean culture through the zodiac, stories and art. It is read as clever, playful and inventive, and in the twelve guardian figures it holds weapons like the other animals, a reminder that the zodiac animals were protectors first.
In Saju the Monkey is the branch 申 Sin. It is metal, the first month of autumn, and the hours from 15:00 to 17:00. Its hidden stems hold earth, water and metal, so it is read as metal with water inside: sharp and adaptable.
Your animal is your year branch and one of eight characters. The Monkey also appears as a month branch (early August to early September) and in day and hour pillars. The Monkey year begins at Ipchun, around 4 February.
- Inventive
- Quick
- Playful
- Practical
Harmonies
The Monkey's six harmony partner is the Snake 巳, read as turning toward water. Its three harmony partners are the Rat 子 and the Dragon 辰, the water trine.
Clash and wonjin
The Monkey clashes with the Tiger 寅 and joins the Tiger and Snake in a punishment. Its wonjin is the Rabbit 卯. These are read as tension to understand.
Monkey years and when they start
Each Monkey year begins at Ipchun, shown here in Korea Standard Time. If you were born before the start time, your year pillar belongs to the previous animal.
| Year | Pillar | Color animal | Starts (KST) | Ends (KST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 壬申 Im-sin | Black Monkey | 5 Feb 1932, 09:29 | 4 Feb 1933, 15:09 |
| 1944 | 甲申 Gap-sin | Blue Monkey | 5 Feb 1944, 07:22 | 4 Feb 1945, 13:19 |
| 1956 | 丙申 Byeong-sin | Red Monkey | 5 Feb 1956, 04:42 | 4 Feb 1957, 10:24 |
| 1968 | 戊申 Mu-sin | Yellow Monkey | 5 Feb 1968, 03:07 | 4 Feb 1969, 08:59 |
| 1980 | 庚申 Gyeong-sin | White Monkey | 5 Feb 1980, 01:09 | 4 Feb 1981, 06:55 |
| 1992 | 壬申 Im-sin | Black Monkey | 4 Feb 1992, 22:48 | 4 Feb 1993, 04:37 |
| 2004 | 甲申 Gap-sin | Blue Monkey | 4 Feb 2004, 20:56 | 4 Feb 2005, 02:43 |
| 2016 | 丙申 Byeong-sin | Red Monkey | 4 Feb 2016, 18:45 | 4 Feb 2017, 00:34 |
| 2028 | 戊申 Mu-sin | Yellow Monkey | 4 Feb 2028, 16:31 | 3 Feb 2029, 22:20 |