Hello, dear readers - seekers of knowledge and truth!
Perhaps among the oriental souvenirs you have come across figurines of monkeys covering their mouths, eyes or ears. These are three monkeys - I don’t see, I don’t hear, I won’t say. They have a curious and entertaining history dating back several centuries.
Today's article will tell you what cute figures of monkeys mean, where they come from, thanks to whom they saw the light, what non-obvious meaning they have, and also whether they somehow correlate with religion.
What are they called
The very name of the three monkeys indicates their national origin. They are called so - "san-zaru", or "sambiki-no-saru", which means "three monkeys" in Japanese.
I don’t see anything, I don’t hear, I won’t say anything - in this case, the word “nothing” should be understood precisely as evil. The philosophy and life position is as follows: I do not see evil, do not hear it, do not talk about it, which means that I am completely protected from it. Monkey figurines are a symbol of the rejection of the evil of this world.
Each monkey is named differently:
- Mia-zaru - closes eyes;
- Kika-zaru - covers the ears;
- Iwa-zaru - closes the mouth.
The meaning of their names lies in their action, or rather inaction: "miazzaru" is translated as "not to see", "kikazaru" - "not to hear", "ivazaru" - not to speak.
"Why just monkeys?" - you ask. The fact is that the second part of all the above actions - “zaru” - is consonant with the Japanese word for monkey. So it turns out a kind of pun, the originality of which can only be fully appreciated by a true Japanese.
Recently, a fourth monkey has been added to the monkey trio more and more often. Her name is Shi-zaru, and she personifies the moral of the whole phrase - "I do no evil." In the images, she covers her tummy or “causal places” with her paws.
However, Shi-zaru did not take root among the relatives, especially in Asia. According to one statement, the reason for this is the unnaturalness of this monkey, because it was allegedly invented artificially as a verified marketing ploy.
Another opinion says that the problem is in Eastern numerology, which calls the number "four" bringing misfortune. So the famous figurine of the trio remained, and not the quartet.
Symbol origin
The figurine's hometown is Nikko, which is located 150 kilometers from the capital of Japan, Tokyo. The Japanese love this place, and this is not surprising - here is the Tosho-gu Shinto shrine. It is a striking complex of carved buildings - a real masterpiece of woodcarving.
No wonder Tosho-gu is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. But another of its attractions is the stable. It is here that the San-zaru carved sculpture flaunts above the door since the 17th century. Its author is Hidari Jingoro, the man who made the story of the three monkeys known to the whole world.
Monkeys are generally very popular in Japan. In this country, they are considered wise animals, personifying resourcefulness and entailing success.
Often near the houses you can see a sculpture of a monkey - Migawari-zaru. In another way, it can be called a double of a monkey. She drives away evil spirits, evil spirits that can attract misfortune, illness, injustice.
Religious overtones
An offshoot of Buddhist thought, Tendai, claims that the monkey symbol reached Japanese lands through the Chinese Buddhist monk Saicho in the 8th century. Even then, three monkeys meant a practical mind and boundless wisdom.
Indeed, he gladly accepts and supports the wise saying from the lips of San-zaru: you don’t need to notice the evil that takes place around, just as you don’t need to commit it, nourish it, and then the path to Enlightenment will be cleaner and easier.
Moreover, figurines of monkeys are quite often used in Buddhist shrines. But it would be wrong to consider that they originate in philosophy.
In fact, the three "dzaru" date back to the Japanese cult of Kosin, which, in turn, "migrated" from the Tao religion of China. According to the Kosin belief, certain entities live in a person who watch the owner.
If he cannot cope with internal evil, once every two months these entities find out the master's secrets about atrocities, directing them to the Almighty.
Three monkeys on the walls of Tosegu Temple, Nikko city, Japan
To avoid punishment, a person needs not to see, not to hear evil, not to talk about it and not to commit it, and on dangerous days, when entities can break out, one should not even sleep!
Similar worldly wisdom associated with renunciation, renunciation of evil deeds is found in many religious directions and their sacred texts: in the Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Judaic, Jain religions.
Conclusion
Thank you very much for your attention, dear readers! May wisdom and luck never leave you.
The famous Shinto shrine Nikko Tosho-gu in the Japanese city of Nikko houses a work of art known throughout the world. A carved panel depicting three wise monkeys has been located above the door of this temple since the 17th century. Made by sculptor Hidari Jingoro, the carving is an illustration of the well-known phrase "See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing."
Three wise monkeys. / Photo: noomarketing.net
It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century as part of the Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The monkey carved panel is just one small part of a large series of panels at the Tosho-gu shrine.
Three monkeys at the Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, Japan.
There are 8 panels in total, which are the "Code of Conduct" developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. In the collection of sayings of the philosopher "Lun Yu" ("Analects of Confucius") there is a similar phrase. Only in the edition, dating from about the 2nd - 4th centuries of our era, it sounded a little differently: “Do not look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say what is contrary to decency; do not do what is contrary to decency." It is possible that this is the original phrase, which was shortened after it appeared in Japan.
World War II poster addressed to the participants in the Manhattan Project.
The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Land of the Rising Sun. Monkeys sit in a row on the panel, the first of them covers its ears with its paws, the second closes its mouth, and the third is carved with closed eyes.
Monkeys are commonly known as "see not, hear, not speak", but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey that covers its ears is Kikazaru, the one that covers its mouth is Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes its eyes.
Three wise monkeys on the beach in Barcelona.
The names are probably puns as they all end in "zaru", which means monkey in Japanese. The second meaning of this word is "leave", that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.
Together, this composition in Japanese is called "Sambiki-Saru", that is, "Three mystical monkeys." Sometimes, a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the well-known trio, which represents the principle of "doing no evil." It is worth noting that according to the generally accepted opinion, Shizara was added much later in the souvenir industry, only for commercial purposes.
Casting from brass.
Monkeys represent an approach to life in the Shinto and Koshin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is about 500 years old, however, some argue that such a symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Pictures of monkeys can be seen on ancient koshin scrolls, while the Tosho-gu shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.
The oldest monument is Koshin.
Contrary to popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" sculptures and paintings are unlikely to be found in any other country than Japan. The oldest koshin monument that featured monkeys was built in 1559, but it only has one monkey, not three.
It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century as part of the Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The monkey carved panel is just one small part of a large series of panels at the Tosho-gu shrine.
There are 8 panels in total, which are the "Code of Conduct" developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. In the collection of sayings of the philosopher "Lun Yu" ("Analects of Confucius") there is a similar phrase. Only in the edition, dating from about the 2nd - 4th centuries of our era, it sounded a little differently: “Do not look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say what is contrary to decency; do not do what is contrary to decency." It is possible that this is the original phrase, which was shortened after it appeared in Japan.
The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Land of the Rising Sun. Monkeys sit in a row on the panel, the first of them covers its ears with its paws, the second closes its mouth, and the third is carved with closed eyes.
Monkeys are commonly known as "see not, hear, not speak", but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey that closes its ears is called Kikazaru, which closes its mouth is Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes his eyes.
The names are probably puns as they all end in "zaru", which means monkey in Japanese. The second meaning of this word is "to leave", that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.
Together, this composition in Japanese is called "Sambiki-Saru", that is, "Three mystical monkeys." Sometimes, a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the well-known trio, which represents the principle of "doing no evil." It is worth noting that according to the generally accepted opinion, Shizara was added much later in the souvenir industry, only for commercial purposes.
Monkeys represent an approach to life in the Shinto and Koshin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is about 500 years old, however, some argue that such a symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Pictures of monkeys can be seen on ancient koshin scrolls, while the Tosho-gu shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.
Contrary to popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" sculptures and paintings are unlikely to be found in any other country than Japan. The oldest koshin monument that featured monkeys was built in 1559, but it only has one monkey, not three.
The famous Shinto shrine Nikko Tosho-gu in the Japanese city of Nikko houses a work of art known throughout the world. A carved panel depicting three wise monkeys has been located above the door of this temple since the 17th century. Made by sculptor Hidari Jingoro, the carving is an illustration of the well-known phrase "See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing."
It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century as part of the Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The monkey carved panel is just one small part of a large series of panels at the Tosho-gu shrine.
There are 8 panels in total, which are the "Code of Conduct" developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. In the collection of sayings of the philosopher "Lun Yu" ("Analects of Confucius") there is a similar phrase. Only in the edition, dating from about the 2nd - 4th centuries of our era, it sounded a little differently: “Do not look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say what is contrary to decency; do not do what is contrary to decency." It is possible that this is the original phrase, which was shortened after it appeared in Japan.
The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Land of the Rising Sun. Monkeys sit in a row on the panel, the first of them covers its ears with its paws, the second closes its mouth, and the third is carved with closed eyes.
Monkeys are commonly known as "see not, hear, not speak", but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey that closes its ears is called Kikazaru, which closes its mouth is Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes his eyes.
The names are probably puns as they all end in "zaru", which means monkey in Japanese. The second meaning of this word is "to leave", that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.
Together, this composition in Japanese is called "Sambiki-Saru", that is, "Three mystical monkeys." Sometimes, a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the well-known trio, which represents the principle of "doing no evil." It is worth noting that according to the generally accepted opinion, Shizara was added much later in the souvenir industry, only for commercial purposes.
Monkeys represent an approach to life in the Shinto and Koshin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is about 500 years old, however, some argue that such a symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Pictures of monkeys can be seen on ancient koshin scrolls, while the Tosho-gu shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.
Contrary to popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" sculptures and paintings are unlikely to be found in any other country than Japan. The oldest koshin monument that featured monkeys was built in 1559, but it only has one monkey, not three.
The question is complex and ambiguous. First, one should distinguish between the monkeys themselves and the three prohibitions symbolized by them (not to see, not to hear and not to speak). Prohibitions-denials are older than monkeys and their traces can be found in various religious and philosophical teachings of the world, in the most ancient literary works, in the culture of many peoples, for example, see the category with parallels to the symbolism of three monkeys in our Dictionary. It is impossible to determine any single center, it seems that three negations exist everywhere and always. Another thing - three monkeys. There are several hypotheses about the origin of the symbols of the three monkeys. It seems to us the most probable and confirmed theory about the Japanese homeland of the symbol. Culturally, in the environment of the Ko-shin folk cult, "supervised" by the Buddhist Tendai school, and geographically, in the area of Mount Hiei near the then Japanese capital of Kyoto. Japanese researchers believe that three monkeys in the form of an already established symbol were taken from the mainland - from China, but may come from other places: from India or from Ancient Egypt. There is no reliable evidence for such theories.
2. When did the three monkeys appear?
3. What are the names of the three monkeys?
Most likely, you are interested in the name of the composition of the three monkeys "in the original". If the "original" comes from Japan, does the name have to be Japanese? It may upset you, but three monkeys in Japanese are called "three monkeys", 三猿, which is read as [san'en] or [sanzaru], and more literally 三匹の猿 [sambiki-no-saru]. Each of the monkeys has its own name: does not see 見ざる [mizaru], does not hear 聞かざる [kikazaru], and does not speak 言わざる [ivazaru]. In English, the names are more diverse: “monkeys without evil” (no evil monkeys), “three wise monkeys” (three wise monkeys), etc. Wisdom also sounds in French - singes de la sagesse (“wise monkeys”) , and in Spanish - tres monos sabios ("three wise monkeys"). Only the Dutch distinguished themselves: the traditional name for such a composition is horen, zien en zwijgen (hear, see and be silent). Evidently in Dutch the three monkeys have been paired with an independently existing close expression (cf. Audi, vide, tace). In India, three monkeys are called "Gandhi's monkeys" (it was Mahatma Gandhi who introduced Hindus to monkeys). There are no stable names in Russian: just “three monkeys”, borrowing from the Japanese “sambiki-saru”, tracing paper from the English “three wise monkeys”, and more often just words from the song “I don’t see anything, I don’t hear anything, nothing to anyone I will not say".
4. Why is everyone crazy about these monkeys? What do monkeys even mean?
It's probably easier to start answering from the second part of the question. Monkeys have many meanings and everyone sees them in their own way. It can be an ethical symbol, remember Confucius: a noble husband is obliged to set limits for himself. The American understanding of symbolism is close to this: three monkeys do not see, do not hear, and do not utter evil, obviously guarding the good. Three monkeys can serve as a kind of amulet, a protective amulet, protecting the owner from severe punishment for misconduct. Some interpretations of symbolism are summarized in our section "Philosophy". It can be added that we have repeatedly come across everyday interpretation that monkeys symbolize the ideal wife, and the figurine in the house guards family peace. In addition, one should not forget about aesthetics. The image of three monkeys is a funny and exotic interior decoration. And now it's time to answer the first part of the question. Monkeys are popular because they are funny. A monkey in almost all cultures is considered as a parody of a person, in it, like in a crooked mirror, human features are reflected. Monkeys are understandable without words in any culture and at the same time allegorically carry a certain message, and the mystery always arouses interest.
5. What is the correct order of the three monkeys?
It is enough to consider any collection of images with three monkeys to understand that there is no exemplary order whatsoever. Take at least the most famous monkeys in the world from the Japanese Nikko, there from left to right: hear-talk-see, and this order is rare. One can only name the most popular order for English-speaking and Western European countries: hear-see-speak, but in the post-Soviet space monkeys often follow the Soviet song: see-hear-speak.
