2016 Year of the Monkey... What Will It Bring?!

Chinese symbol for Monkey 2016 is the Year of the Monkey, the Year of the Fire Monkey to be more precise. So what does it mean? Each of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac has unique characteristics and each year corresponds to one animal. 2016 corresponds to the Monkey.

In addition to the twelve year cycle corresponding to each of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac, there are Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) which are associated with their own "life force" or "chi".

This energy blends with the corresponding animal to determine that year's fortune.

In 2016, the corresponding element is Fire.

Fire is also associated with the color red. The Year of the Fire Monkey is therefore also known as the Year of the Red Monkey.

So what happens when you mix the Monkey with the Fire Element?

The Monkey is clever, inventive and energetic. They are sociable and funny. Because of their astute and curious side, they are often the problem-solvers.

Fire by its very nature, is the element associated with brilliance, warmth, passion, spark...

An inventive and energetic Monkey combined with the sizzling characteristics of Fire, heralds a decisive and confident year. A year of adventure, resolve and innovation.

The monkey's sociable characteristics will pave the way for you to expand and nurture your relationships, with family, friends, colleagues...

What to watch out for? A Red Monkey combines the cleverness of the monkey, the passion of fire... it could lead to an opportunistic or even deceitful and impatient atmosphere. This year we will do well by staying vigilant, and keeping our emotions in check, to think before we act and try to avoid hasty decisions.

The Year of the Monkey follows a steady Year of the Sheep, a year of contemplation... A Fire Monkey Year will be anything but. It is the year to act, innovate, take matters into our own hands. An adventurous path and clear goals are this year's mantra.

Babies born in the Year of the Monkey

If your baby is born in the Year of the Monkey, he or she will assume the characteristics of the Monkey: Monkeys are astute and full of life, energetic and fun-loving. Monkeys are sociable, always the life of the party.

Get ready for a crafty and naughty baby! He/She will make friends easy. Despite their carefree and fun attitude towards life, monkeys are hard workers and ambitious.

Because of their ingenuity and cleverness they may be perceived as cunning and opportunistic. Always keep baby monkeys in check as they can be impatient. This will be a Fire Monkey baby, some stubborness, lots of vivacity and enjoyment is coming your way!

To be born in the Year of the Monkey, babies will have to be born from February 8, 2016 to January 27, 2017, the last day of the 2017 lunar year. If the baby is born on or before February 7, 2016, he or she will be a Sheep or Goat Baby, if born on or after January 28, 2017, the baby will be a Rooster Baby.

The next Year of the Red Monkey will be in another 60 years.

Get ready for an exciting and adventurous new year and...