Year of the Monkey

2016 (on the Chinese calendar) is a year of the Monkey, starting from February 8 (Chinese New Year), and ending on January 27, 2017 (Chinese New Year’s Eve). 

In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with a Chinese zodiac animal sign and one the Five Elements: Gold (Metal), Water, Wood, Fire, or Earth. Both the sign and element of your birth year are said to affect your personality and destiny. Element-sign combinations recur every 60 years:

The Five Monkeys	Born	Character
Fire Monkey	... 2016, 1956, ...	Ambitious and adventurous, but irritable
Wood Monkey	... 2004, 1944, ...	Always ready to help others; compassionate, with strong self-esteem, but stubborn
Water Monkey	... 1992, 1932, ...	Smart, quick-witted, fond of being in the limelight, but haughty
Gold Monkey	... 1980, 1920, ...	Smart, quick-witted, and confident, but also irritable and stubborn
Earth Monkey	... 1968, 1908, ...	Frank, optimistic, and fearless