Year of the Monkey Blessings, New Year Greetings, Spring Couplets & Wishes Collection | 2016 Bing-Shen Year

2016 is the era of the Fortune Monkey (well). Every New Year, when visiting relatives and friends, don’t you always have to rack your sluggish brain to squeeze out a few special auspicious phrases? Vedfolnir has specially compiled the most commonly used Year of the Monkey greetings, so you can speak sweetly before your elders and fill your pockets to the brim (no joke).

The Year of the Monkey auspicious phrases we have compiled include four-character idioms, five- to twelve-character spring couplets, and longer greeting strings suitable for mobile phones, Facebook, LINE, and other messaging apps — take your pick.

Trendy New Year of the Monkey Blessings

• “Hou sai lei” (Monkey so awesome — a pun on Cantonese slang).
• “Hou xi chun” (Monkey welcomes spring).

Year of the Monkey Blessings: Four-Character Idioms

• Immediate promotion to marquis (a pun on “monkey”).
• The golden monkey offers peaches.
• The golden monkey bids farewell to the year.
• The golden monkey announces good news.
• The beautiful monkey adds auspiciousness.
• The jade monkey soars with good fortune.
• Early rise to official rank.
• Monkey luck, monkey luck.
• Agile as a monkey.
• Wishes fulfilled in the Year of the Monkey.
• Auspicious Year of the Monkey.
• Monkey fortune at its peak.
• Great fortune in monkey affairs.
• Wealth and honor in the Year of the Monkey.
• Adding blessings in the Year of the Monkey.
• Monkey fortune flows smoothly.
• The golden monkey adds blessings.
• The monkey rises to the top.

Year of the Monkey Blessings: Five-Character Phrases

• Great fortune in the Year of the Monkey.
• Adding blessings in the Year of the Monkey.
• A booming Year of the Monkey.
• A grand year for career.
• Great fortune in the Year of the Monkey.
• Good luck comes in the Year of the Monkey.
• Monkey luck arrives in the Year of the Monkey.
• The God of Wealth reports in.
• Joyful Year of the Monkey arrives.
• Flourishing career in the Year of the Monkey.

Year of the Monkey Blessings: Fourteen-Character Phrases

• Firecrackers crackle endlessly, happy Year of the Monkey celebration.
• Wealth, peace, and family blessings; the awesome monkey cheers with joy.
• Congratulations to all on endless blessings; thick wealth for ten thousand years.
• Peace and smoothness, joy overflowing; Year of the Monkey wealth reaches the three rivers.
• Bumper harvest and a good winter; happy Year of the Monkey, red all four seasons.
• A soldier with abundant stamina; guarding the nation and protecting the mountains and rivers.
• Spring in all four seasons, good prosperity; the Year of the Monkey prospers with great fortune.
• Favorable weather and a hundred flowers bloom; the Year of the Monkey prospers with a good start.
• Congratulations to all on the Year of the Monkey; happy and carefree like an immortal.

Year of the Monkey Five-Character Couplets and Spring Couplets

• In the Shen year the plum offers auspiciousness; in the monkey year snow foretells the year.
• The beautiful monkey soars with auspicious air; the lingering carp plays in the spring waves.
• Spring light shines with distinction; the jade universe relies on the golden monkey.
• All monkeys open the jade universe; purple swallows dance in the new spring.
• The golden monkey arrives in a prosperous age; auspicious omens foretell a bumper year.
• The golden monkey conquers corruption and evil; the jade universe shines clear and bright.
• Birdsong clamors among flowers and fruit; monkeys cry hanging by the water curtain.
• A troop of monkeys together gives blessings; all join to welcome spring.
• In the Shen hour listen to auspicious snow; in the monkey year hope for a bumper harvest.
• The golden monkey holds abundant fruit; China rises with a grand plan.
• The golden monkey gladly offers longevity; jade swallows gladly welcome spring.
• The divine monkey transforms into all things; a prosperous age mirrors a thousand years.
• The divine monkey somersaults; the red maid leaps the dragon gate.
• The sheep carries golden grain away; the monkey brings the peach of longevity.
• Welcoming spring, the monkey descends to the world; serving the nation, ambition soars to the clouds.
• The new spring presents all things; the Great Sage exerts a thousand catties.
• Diligent swallows enrich the family; the upright monkey clears the world’s ways.
• The golden monkey just begins the year; the handsome bird again urges spring.
• All monkeys uphold righteousness; the jade universe sweeps clear winds.
• The sheep bids farewell to the jade universe; the monkey runs to Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• The sheep dances in the harvest year; the monkey sings of a splendid spring.
• The jade universe welcomes spring’s arrival; the golden monkey offers longevity.
• The sheep’s brush depicts distinction; the monkey’s staff dances with heroic spirit.
• The sheep dances in the harvest year; the monkey presents a spring of fortune and longevity.

Year of the Monkey Seven-Character Couplets and Spring Couplets

• Monkeys delight in the garden’s brilliant peaches and plums; the year turns and spring light spreads everywhere.
• The golden monkey offers auspiciousness and broad wealth; purple swallows welcome spring and booming business.
• The golden monkey and jade rabbit play with spring colors; purple swallows and yellow orioles pluck wondrous notes.
• Firmly grasp the sheep’s brush to record history; boldly wield the monkey’s staff to open the journey.
• The garden’s spring colors cannot be contained; the cries of apes on both banks announce good news.
• Snow melts and a thousand mountains outside the gate turn green; the monkey arrives and ten thousand households spring.
• The sheep turns back to add fulfillment; the Monkey King raises his arm to keep peace.
• The jade rabbit visits the moon to view the new year; the golden monkey holds peaches and laughs at the bumper year.
• Purple swallows spread wings among willow waves; the golden monkey climbs up the spring mountain.

Year of the Monkey Eight-Character Couplets and Spring Couplets

• Flowers and fruit waft fragrance, beautiful is this happy land; the Year of the Monkey adds color and transforms the world.
• The golden monkey offers gifts, every family prospers; magpies clamor in spring, all affairs auspicious.
• Jade swallows play in spring, the nine provinces spread brocade; the golden monkey celebrates the year, the whole nation presents auspiciousness.

Year of the Monkey Nine-Character-or-More Couplets and Spring Couplets

• The golden monkey’s staff exerts a thousand catties to eliminate corruption; a prosperous age, family prosperity, ten thousand riches, and a peaceful people.
• Sickle and hammer wielded, the ancient land opens a prosperous age; dragons prance and tigers strive, the children of the nine provinces create glory.
• The sheep year has gone — remember the lesson of the lost sheep; the monkey year has come — carry forward the spirit of the golden monkey.
• The golden monkey offers gifts, every family prospers, jade swallows play in spring, the nine provinces spread brocade; magpies clamor in spring, all affairs auspicious, the golden monkey celebrates the year, the whole nation presents auspiciousness.
• Sickle and hammer wielded, the ancient land opens a prosperous age, the sheep year has gone — remember the lesson of the lost sheep; dragons prance and tigers strive, the children of the nine provinces create glory, the monkey year has come — carry forward the spirit of the golden monkey.

Year of the Monkey Couplets (with Horizontal Scrolls)

Upper scroll, lower scroll, horizontal scroll: The sheep follows the new abundance to bid farewell to the old year; the monkey festival’s upright spirit announces the new spring — all things renew. The diligent sheep bids farewell to the old, a thousand households rejoice together; the mischievous monkey clamors in spring, ten thousand households all blessed — joy fills the home. Monkeys delight in the garden’s brilliant peaches and plums; the year turns and the moon shines everywhere — family harmony brings prosperity in all things. The sheep sings of prosperity and reports victory; the monkey dances in the new spring and presents auspiciousness — great fortune in the Year of the Monkey. Bid farewell to the old year, three sheep bring peace; welcome the new spring, six monkeys send safety — five blessings arrive. The sheep follows the new wind to bid farewell to the old year; the monkey festival’s upright spirit announces the new spring — thriving and prosperous. Flowers and fruit waft fragrance, beautiful is this happy land; the Year of the Monkey adds color, how could the world not change — a blessed household. The diligent sheep bids farewell to the old, a thousand households rejoice together; the mischievous monkey clamors in spring, ten thousand households all blessed — spring across the four seas.

Monkey-Related Two-Part Allegorical Sayings, Proverbs, Idioms, and Witty Remarks

• Year of the Monkey: the Shen year, referring to the year represented by the monkey zodiac.
• Monkey show: tricks performed with monkeys; or opera with the Monkey King as the protagonist.
• Ape-drinking: drinking water scooped up like an ape.
• Scarlet: a red like that of an orangutan.
• Snipe: to lie in ambush and strike when the moment comes.
• Ape arms: arms as long as an ape’s, moving freely.
• Monkey-impatient: describing an anxious, fretful state.
• Nao-advance: advancing nimbly like a monkey.
• Nao-mixed: mixed together; formerly referring to men and women mingling in violation of propriety.
• Monkey jump: a kind of usury, with interest as high as a monkey’s leap.
• Monkey king: formerly a term for a village schoolteacher. Schoolchildren are as mischievous as monkeys, hence primary school teachers were called “monkey kings.”
• Apes cry and cranes call: apes and cranes crying mournfully; a metaphor for a sound of grief and resentment.
• Nao-climb and ape-pull: climbing nimbly like a monkey.
• Pointed mouth and monkey cheeks: describing a person’s face as ugly as a monkey’s; also a metaphor for a person without good fortune.
• Monkey climbing a tree: a specialty, one’s forte.
• Monkey growing horns: making a fool of oneself.
• Monkey in a sedan chair: not knowing how to appreciate a favor.
• Monkey sweeping the floor: only caring about the present.
• Monkey’s face: changes at a moment’s notice.
• Monkey reading a book: pretending to be refined.
• A monkey wearing a hat: the macaque, i.e., the rhesus monkey; a hat, wearing a hat. From the Records of the Grand Historian, Basic Annals of Xiang Yu: “People say the man of Chu is but a monkey wearing a hat.” Satirizing Xiang Yu for being unable to achieve imperial rule. Yan Shigu, in the Commentary on the Book of Han, explained: “It says that though he wears human clothes and a hat, his appearance is not like a human’s.” That is, a monkey wearing a human’s hat is still not a human. A metaphor for one who is outwardly impressive but hollow, usurping position and title.
• When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter: when a big tree falls, the monkeys on it scatter accordingly. A metaphor for when a great person falls from power, their hangers-on lose their backing and disperse.
• A monkey put into a cloth bag: a metaphor for wild nature being restrained. From the Jingde Record of the Transmission of the Lamp, a monk asked Chan Master Nian Dai: how to make students study single-mindedly? The master replied: “A monkey put into a cloth bag.” The Song dynasty writer Ouyang Xiu recorded that when the poet Mei Yaochen was ordered to compile the Book of Tang, he told his wife: “My compiling of the book can be called a monkey put into a cloth bag.”
• A macaque riding a clay ox: a metaphor for someone’s slow promotion. From the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Deng: “You are the son of a famous lord, with literary talent from youth, and so you hold an official post; a macaque riding a clay ox — how slow is that!”
• Monkey of Flower-Fruit Mountain: lawless and unbridled.
• Monkey climbing a cliff: capable.
• Monkey climbing a bamboo pole: jumping up and down.
• Monkey wielding a big saber: hacking wildly.
• Monkey eating chili: eyes turning red.
• Monkey picking up ginger: neither can eat it nor throw it away.
• Monkey looking in a mirror: neither in nor out is a person.
• Monkey’s bottom: cannot sit still.
• Monkey performing grand opera: making a fuss.
• Monkey scooping the moon: a vain effort.
• Monkey setting off firecrackers: startling itself.
• Hairy monkey speaking: not knowing the weight of things.
• Macaque wearing clothes: looks just like a person.
• Orangutan pities orangutan: a hero sympathizes with a hero.
• Little monkey wearing a straw hat: pretending to be human.
• Monkey walking with hands behind its back: putting on human airs.
• The monkey trainer has gone, the macaque: nothing left to do.
• When there is no tiger in the mountain, the monkey becomes king.

Greetings for Mobile Text Messages and LINE Messaging Apps

• The sheep has just galloped away, and the Year of the Monkey is about to arrive. Auspiciousness and fulfillment circle around you, accompanying you onto the sunny road. Health and happiness will not be scarce; a joyful life until old age. Wishing you a hearty laugh in the Year of the Monkey, and promotion to marquis step by step!
• Spring breeze, willows, and drifting catkins; celebrating the Year of the Monkey with joy and laughter. Plum blossoms bloom to welcome spring; the door opens to great fortune and all leap for joy. May your career rise step by step, your work go smoothly, and your health be good. Do not be proud of high office and generous salary; let relatives and friends often come to visit.
• Auspicious snow flurries foretell a bumper year; the Year of the Monkey arrives with hearty laughter. Good fortune shines upon your home; all wishes come true and red envelopes are received. Health keeps illness at bay; family harmony is praised by all. Wishing you a windfall in the Year of the Monkey, and a joyful life blooming like flowers!
• The Year of the Monkey arrives with joy in full bloom; raise the sail and success is reached. Cast aside worries and be free of cares; the sunny road is yours to tread. Performance climbs and bonuses are paid; family happiness is praised by all. Wishing you growth in the Year of the Monkey, and contentment with hearty laughter!
• A wisp of spring rain makes the Year of the Monkey’s life smooth sailing; auspicious snow flurries make the Year of the Monkey’s career like the midday sun; heaven and earth in harmony make the Year of the Monkey’s days blazing; blessings repeated make the Year of the Monkey’s dreams all come true. The Year of the Monkey has arrived — may you be happy!
• Beat the joyful drum of the Year of the Monkey, its sound shaking the heavens; sing the happy song of the Year of the Monkey, each line soaring in the heart; dance the reunion dance of the Year of the Monkey, each step joyful; speak the blessing words of the Year of the Monkey, each character warming the heart. The Year of the Monkey has arrived — may your wishes come true and all go as you wish!
• Red plum blossoms smile — that is the greatest tribute to the Year of the Monkey; starlight twinkles — that is the warmest care for the Year of the Monkey; auspicious snow drifts — that is the most beautiful expectation for the Year of the Monkey; reunion — that is the truest blessing for the Year of the Monkey. The Year of the Monkey has arrived — may your wishes come true!
• One more blessing, so you have one less worry in the Year of the Monkey. One more care, so your life in the Year of the Monkey is brighter and more radiant. One more understanding, so all gloom and melancholy are gone forever. May you gain a windfall in the Year of the Monkey, and all wishes come true brilliantly!
• The golden monkey offers peaches and the Year of the Monkey proceeds; riding the wind and raising the sail, a great enterprise unfolds. Studying abroad is a dream, planned to be realized in the Year of the Monkey. May friends fulfill their dreams, and the auspicious Year of the Monkey be full of ideals. Resolve to raise the brow and lift the head; one is not a true hero until reaching the Great Wall.
• The Year of the Monkey arrives with great auspiciousness; life is colorful and faces smile. Adding members and mouths, many happy events; cattle and sheep in flocks, horses strong. May your health and longevity be long, and your descendants fill the hall and family prosper. As if living in a golden house, earning windfalls in a glorious life.
• The jade monkey sings with a clear voice; the silver sheep dances in waves. Singing out the auspicious shine of the Year of the Monkey, dancing out the wishful laughter of the coming year. Wishing you a chubby baby in the Year of the Monkey, a family of three bustling with happiness. May your life be fulfilled and radiant, with joy and a bountiful year surrounded by peace.
• The Year of the Monkey arrives with fulfillment circling; laughter and cheerful voices drift in the wind. A joyful life will not run away; all affairs go smoothly every morning. Family fulfilled and career high, health good and free of worries. Wishing you good luck in the Year of the Monkey, and happy songs reaching the clouds!
• The rising sun shines brightly; the Year of the Monkey arrives with joy and the sheep. Wishing you health in eating, drinking, and playing, and your dreams realized early. A happy life deeply in love, a fulfilled family and a wishful husband. Hmm, love lingering long; in the Year of the Monkey, auspiciousness raises the brow.
• Before the Year of the Monkey arrives, blessings are sent first; wishing friends abundant wealth. Seize the opportunity to make some monkey money; auspiciousness fills the sky and great fortune shines high. Parents long-lived and wife virtuous, children ambitious and studying abroad. Career smooth and work as wished, wearing red flowers of praise every year.
• The monkey is a symbol of auspiciousness; the monkey is an omen of good fortune. The monkey is a sign of wealth; the monkey is an implication of health. The monkey is a call of happiness; the monkey is a source of fulfilled wealth. May your Year of the Monkey be full of blessings, your face beaming with spring joy!
• The gongs and drums of the Year of the Monkey have sounded, singing out the joy in the heart. Fireworks and firecrackers reflect the red sky, reflecting brilliant happy smiles. Laughter spreads through thousands of households; fine wine wafts fragrance and cups clink. Brothers and sisters of all ethnicities reunite; joyful and sweet life. May happiness increase in the Year of the Monkey!
• A silver bell hangs on the monkey’s neck, ringing all along the way with song. Bringing blessings to the world, the road grows ever broader. The flowers of happiness bloom, silver light twinkles in five colors. May your Year of the Monkey be blessed with fortune and longevity, singing of happiness for ten thousand years!
• The monkey’s song reports good news again and again; happiness and joy circle before your eyes. The auspicious Year of the Monkey laughs with fulfillment; wealth abundant as monkey hair. Career flourishing on the sunny road; love sweet with kisses and embraces. Health and longevity under great fortune; may your life be glorious and radiant!
• Wealth gathers guests from the four seas; the door welcomes visitors from all directions. Laughing joyfully as the Year of the Monkey arrives; raising cups and passing them, sleepless. Monkey songs and swallow dances rejoice together; happy reunion and shared joy. Fulfillment shared by three generations; blessings sung again and again. May your Year of the Monkey be healthy as a monkey, laughing heartily!