Monkey (Thân)
Thân — the ninth sign of the Vietnamese zodiac (con giáp) — is the Monkey, a symbol of intelligence, wit, and inventive genius. Born in the year of the Monkey, these individuals are quick-minded problem-solvers with a playful spirit and insatiable curiosity. In Vietnamese tradition, the Monkey embodies cleverness and adaptability, capable of turning any situation to their advantage with charm and resourcefulness.
- Dates
- Year of the Monkey: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
- Element
- Metal
- Ruling Planet
- Venus
- Quality
- Fixed
- Strengths
- Intelligent · Witty · Versatile · Inventive · Charming
- Weaknesses
- Mischievous · Manipulative · Restless · Unreliable · Egotistic
Personality
Monkey individuals are brilliant, versatile, and endlessly inventive. They have a gift for solving complex problems with elegant simplicity and can master almost any skill they put their mind to. Their humour and sociability make them popular companions. However, they can be manipulative and may lose interest in projects once the intellectual challenge has been solved.
Love & Relationships
Monkeys are lively and fun partners who bring humour and excitement to relationships. They need a partner who can keep up with their wit and mental agility. They may be flirtatious and can have difficulty committing, but when they truly fall in love they are devoted and endlessly entertaining companions.
Work & Career
Monkeys excel in careers requiring quick thinking, problem-solving, and communication: scientist, engineer, politician, comedian, journalist, stockbroker, and entrepreneur. They adapt quickly to new fields and thrive in high-pressure, fast-changing environments. They benefit from variety and may grow restless in routine positions.
Health & Wellbeing
Monkeys have high energy but are prone to stress-related ailments when their minds are overstimulated. Mental breaks, creative play, and physical outlets are important. They may be susceptible to nervous disorders if under sustained pressure. Regular exercise and varied activities keep them healthy and mentally sharp.
Mythology & Symbolism
The monkey (khỉ) holds a fascinating place in Vietnamese folklore and mythology. In the famous Chinese classic "Journey to the West" — widely known and beloved in Vietnam — the Monkey King Sun Wukong represents the ultimate trickster hero, using his wits and supernatural powers to overcome evil. Vietnamese folk tales feature clever monkeys who outwit tigers, crocodiles, and greedy humans through cunning rather than force. In some regions of Vietnam, the monkey is associated with forest spirits and is considered a messenger between the human and spirit worlds. The Year of the Monkey is traditionally seen as a time of rapid change, ingenuity, and unexpected turns of fortune.
This Sign in Other Cultures
The Monkey is celebrated across East Asian zodiac traditions. In Chinese astrology (申), the Monkey is the ninth sign and epitomises cleverness; in Japanese (saru) and Korean (신) it carries the same associations of intelligence and mischief. In Hindu mythology, Hanuman — the divine monkey general — is a symbol of devotion, strength, and selfless service. In West African tradition, the spider-trickster Anansi shares the Monkey's role as the clever underdog who defeats more powerful opponents through wit.
Compatibility
Best with
Tý (Rat), Thìn (Dragon)
Challenging with
Snake (Tỵ), Pig (Hợi)