Monkey
Overview
As with the deer and the bat, part of the monkey's symbolism is verbal. Its folk reputation for cleverness and mimicry runs alongside that.
Meaning
The monkey carries the reading of quickness and of advancement — the word for monkey is homophonous with a high official rank.
Traditional Interpretation
The great figure is Sun Wukong of Journey to the West, whose story gives the monkey the additional reading of unruly capability that has to be disciplined before it is useful.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What does monkey symbolize in Chinese tradition?
The monkey carries the reading of quickness and of advancement — the word for monkey is homophonous with a high official rank. As with the deer and the bat, part of the monkey's symbolism is verbal. Its folk reputation for cleverness and mimicry runs alongside that.
Where does the monkey appear in Chinese art and custom?
Its use is documented across several registers at once. The monkey carries the reading of quickness and of advancement — the word for monkey is homophonous with a high official rank. The monkey's traditional ambiguity — quick enough to be useful, undisciplined enough to be trouble — is exactly why the Journey to the West narrative is about restraint rather than about power.
How is monkey read in Chinese tradition?
The great figure is Sun Wukong of Journey to the West, whose story gives the monkey the additional reading of unruly capability that has to be disciplined before it is useful. It is grouped under Metal (金) in the five-element system.
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