Water Monkey (壬申): personality and meaning in the Chinese zodiac
The Water Monkey, 壬申, gives the Monkey diplomacy and an intuitive reading of people. The tradition reads it as perceptive, flexible and persuasive.
Heavenly stem and earthly branch: 壬申
Years: 1932, 1992
Character
壬申 sets 壬, yang water, the great river, over the Monkey's metal. Metal carries water, so the tradition reads this as a supported pair: a river running clear over a bed of stones, intelligence flowing easily.
People born in a Water Monkey year are read as clever, adaptable and charming, with a talent for understanding what others want and finding a way to it. They are good negotiators and creative problem-solvers. The tradition's shadow for the Water Monkey is a secretiveness about its own aims, and a cleverness that can slide into telling people what they want to hear.
In love and at work
In love the Water Monkey is read as attentive, romantic and adaptable, a partner who senses moods quickly. At work it suits negotiation, communication, research, the arts and anything requiring tact. The tradition suggests the Water Monkey say plainly what it wants.
A question to take with you
What do you want that you have not said plainly yet?
Updated October 28, 2026