Chinese Elements | The Fire Monkey Year

Published by Alison Cross on

In the West, we tend to use the classical elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.  However, this is not the only system of elements available and as we move into the Chinese Year of the Fire Monkey, I thought that we could take a look at their elements.

Why the interest in China? Well, hubby has just relocated there for maybe the next two years and, with any amount of luck, I’ll be able to go and visit him from time to time (worry not! he will still be coming home every eight weeks, for eight weeks!) but I am delving into all things Chinese.  And you cannot escape my burgeoning interest in all things Chinese either!  😀


In Chinese astrology, just as in the West, there are 12 signs that you can be born under.  However, there is no Leo, Aquarius or Taurus … instead we have:

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

Every 12-year cycle begins with the Year of The Rat. This year we have entered a Monkey year, so next year will be Rooster etc.  An additional dimension is added to this, with the inclusion of the appropriate Chinese element:

Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water

Yup, the Chinese have FIVE as opposed to our usual FOUR.

Each of the signs has its own natural element – for example: Monkey’s natural element is Metal.

But this is a Fire year.  So how does Fire and Metal sit together with Monkey’s nature? Well, clearly you would need to go to an expert in Chinese astrology for a proper reading but, here’s my tuppence worth!

Metal is associated with the wind – so it’s changeable very quickly. Couple this with Monkey’s mischievous and curious nature and you have got a potentially tricky year ahead!  Be aware that things can/will change quickly, so there is a lack of certainty and bear in mind that while curiosity is the source of many marvellous discoveries, that it also killed the cat 🙂

新年快乐 !!!

Alison Cross

The Tarot's Court Cards are my specialist area.  They talk to me. Not LITERALLY though ....

5 Comments

Inner Whispers · 1st March 2016 at 4:57 pm

Umm, and why is this year a fire monkey rather than a regular metal monkey? Interesting Swords/Metal connection…

    Alison Cross · 1st March 2016 at 5:27 pm

    Because the signs run in 12 year cycles and the elements in 5 year cycles? 😀 According to Wiki, the next Metal Monkey year will be 2040. The last one was 1981 🙂

    Inner Whispers · 2nd March 2016 at 7:12 am

    Ah, that makes sense! Thanks Ali 🙂

Catherine M · 1st March 2016 at 1:23 pm

I will be grandma to a girl born in June this year. I wonder what she will be like? thanks for the info.

    Alison Cross · 1st March 2016 at 5:29 pm

    A detailed horoscope for a Fire Monkey is well-outwith my capabilities, but if you google 'Fire Monkey characteristics' you will get a good idea of what she might be like – freedom-loving, creative and competitive. Sounds good to me! 😀 Congratulations for when she arrives later this year!!

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