Metal Monkey Chinese Zodiac
金猴 jīn hóu
A Metal Monkey was born in a Monkey year ending in 0 or 1: 1920, 1980 and 2040. Metal is the Monkey's own element, so the Metal Monkey is the Monkey doubled. It is described as brilliant and competitive, a quick mind with a hard edge.
- Metal
- Monkey
- Yang
Metal Monkey at a Glance
- Years
- 1920, 1980 and 2040
- Year element
- Metal 金 (years ending in 0 or 1)
- Monkey's own element
- Metal
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 庚申
- Next Metal Monkey year
- 2040
The Metal Monkey, Monkey Doubled
Metal is the Monkey’s own element. Tradition makes the Metal Monkey the sharpest of the five: brilliant, competitive and harder-edged than the playful Water Monkey.
The 1980 Metal Monkeys, the last Gen X year, turn 46 in 2026. The next Metal Monkey year is 2040.
Which Years Are Metal Monkey Years?
The most recent Metal Monkey year began on Feb 16, 1980 and ended on Feb 4, 1981; the next comes in 2040. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | Feb 20, 1920 | Feb 7, 1921 | 庚申 | 石榴木 | 105 or 106 |
| 1980 Chinese zodiac | Feb 16, 1980 | Feb 4, 1981 | 庚申 | 石榴木 | 45 or 46 |
| 2040 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Metal Monkey Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Metal Monkey
- Brilliant
- Resourceful
- Competitive
Challenges of the Metal Monkey
- Calculating
- Ruthless when cornered
- Restless
Metal Monkey in Love and at Work
In Love
Witty and loyal, but demanding and guarded.
At Work
Excels in business, technology, finance and negotiation.
The Five Kinds of Monkey
The Monkey's own element is always Metal; the birth year adds the second. For the Metal Monkey, the year element is the Monkey's own Metal, so it is doubled.
| Type | Years | With the Monkey's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Monkey Chinese zodiac | 1944, 2004, 2064 | Metal restrains Wood |
| Fire Monkey Chinese zodiac | 1956, 2016, 2076 | Fire restrains Metal |
| Earth Monkey Chinese zodiac | 1908, 1968, 2028, 2088 | Earth feeds Metal |
| Metal Monkey | 1920, 1980, 2040 | Doubled |
| Water Monkey Chinese zodiac | 1932, 1992, 2052 | Metal feeds Water |
Metal Monkey Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Rat, Dragon and Snake for the Monkey, and the Tiger is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Steady
No formal link to the Horse in the traditional rules.
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Steady
No formal link to the Goat in the traditional rules.
Other Metal Signs
All twelve animals have a Metal year. Each is a different mix.
- Metal Rat Chinese zodiac1960, 2020
- Metal Ox Chinese zodiac1961, 2021
- Metal Tiger Chinese zodiac1950, 2010
- Metal Rabbit Chinese zodiac1951, 2011
- Metal Dragon Chinese zodiac1940, 2000
- Metal Snake Chinese zodiac1941, 2001
- Metal Horse Chinese zodiac1930, 1990
- Metal Goat Chinese zodiac1931, 1991
- Metal Rooster Chinese zodiac1921, 1981
- Metal Dog Chinese zodiac1970, 2030
- Metal Pig Chinese zodiac1971, 2031
Metal Monkey Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Metal Monkey?
A Metal Monkey is someone born in a Monkey year that ends in 0 or 1. Metal Monkey years include 1920, 1980 and 2040. Tradition describes the Metal Monkey as brilliant, resourceful and competitive.
What years are Metal Monkey years?
1920, 1980 and 2040. The 1980 year ran from Feb 16, 1980 to Feb 4, 1981.
Is the Monkey really a Metal sign?
The Monkey's own element is Metal, so Metal Monkeys are the Monkey doubled: the sign's nature and the year's element agree.
How old is a Metal Monkey?
The most recent Metal Monkey years are 1920 and 1980. In 2026 someone born in 1980 turns 46.
When is the next Metal Monkey year?
2040. Monkey years return every 12 years and each element every 60.