Among the 12 zodiac animals, the one that is closest to humans is the monkey. Raymond Zhou takes a look at the different meanings and uses of 2016's zodiac animal in an article by China Daily.
Unlike the dragon and the tiger, which both enjoy an exalted status in Chinese mythology, the monkey is given a humbler placement.
Keeping a money as a pet is rare, and the best place to find one is in the zoo. Often viewed as mischievous and clever, monkeys are sometimes reported to pickpocket from tourists or commit other types of misdemeanors.
Despite this negative light, monkeys are viewed as loyal, thanks to an ancient Chinese tale. Unfortunately, not a lot of people know about the story as it is lost to all except to a number of historians.
The monkey enjoys a strong presence in Chinese culture, however, with appearances in language, arts and literature. A famous Chinese character, The Monkey King, was a popular figure from the novel "Journey to the West" by Wu Cheng'en.
Monkeys are often considered as animals that possess conflicting traits. Aside from symbolizing cleverness, the human's closest relative also symbolizes impatience in Chinese culture. This contradicts another ancient Chinese tale of monkeys waiting patiently for the right time to snatch food from hunters.
There is also the English expression "monkey business," which implies slyness, trickery and deceit. Other times, it is used to refer to harmless pranks and acts of mischief.
The Chinese word for monkey, "hou," also has several patronyms with contradicting meanings. On one hand, denghou means patience and "the uncharacteristic tendency to resist instant gratification," Zhou wrote. On the other hand, zhuhou means quick-headedness, a word believed to be derived from hou.
Regardless of its meaning and roles in various cultures over the world, the monkey is an undeniable force of nature for its quick wit and cleverness. There may be scientific reasons why humans feel close to the primate, but perhaps its contrasting qualities also force us to reflect on and acknowledge our own strengths and weaknesses.