The Three Wise Monkeys - Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil
Posted: Tuesday, April 01, 2008
by Ben Jones
Too-Write!
I recently read an article that referenced the maxim of the Three Wise Monkeys. Now I've had a fascination with these 3 clever little monkeys since I was a young boy, so it didn't take much for me to start researching the origins and meaning behind them.
It is important to note that different historical references have actually shown the three monkeys in various orders which may subtly change the interpretation and potentially the meaning behind their visual message. Perhaps the change in order can even explain some of the confusion and debate that has raged for many years about the exact meaning. The actual story of the three monkeys has developed and now revolves around the maxim of "see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil", represented by 3 monkeys; one monkey covering his eyes (Mizaru), one covering his ears (Kikazaru) and one covering his mouth (Iwazaru). In fact in some depictions there is actually a fourth monkey (Shizaru) who "does no evil", symbolized by a monkey crossing his arms or covering his abdomen.
The first depicted representation of the three monkeys enacting this maxim is a 17th century carving over a door of the Tosho-gu shrine in
So why use the depiction of the Three Wise Monkeys at all?
It is actually easy to understand why monkeys were used for this phrase. The origin of the monkeys comes from when the phrase was translated into Japanese and the obvious play on words that was used. "Mizaru", "Kikazaru", "Iwazaru" and "Shizaru" literally translate as "don't see, don't hear, don't speak and don't do".
In Japanese, "zaru" an archaic verb conjugation in the negative (ie don't) is vocalised in the same way as the suffix for "monkey" (saru), so when the phrase was translated someone used the clever play on words, relating it back to monkeys doing these actions (monkey see, monkey hear, monkey do) which is another well known phrase and variation of the same theme more commonly quoted as "Monkey see; monkey do".
However it started, there is no doubting the longevity of the maxim, the value behind the meaning or how widely known it has become.
As to the exact meaning of the phrase, well that is a point long debated. I tend to think it was meant to represent the power we can have over evil. If we do not allow evil to speak to us, ie influence us ("hear no evil"), if we do not allow those evil acts that we see to change us ("see no evil") and if we do not perpetuate the evil that we are exposed to ("speak no evil") then it will have had no power over us.
There are many possible meanings and we'll probably never know exactly what was meant, but if you can take something positive from this visual maxim of the 3 monkeys then whatever your interpretation, it is surely a good one. If you have a different meaning for the phrase portraited by the 3 monkeys: "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", then post it below!
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More commentsHi Ben, I'm seeing this a little late but the three monkey story actually resonates with what I have learning of late. The law of attraction states the same things, in fact, great thinkers like Confucius are often quoted. So the advise is very correct. To shut off all negative input and output will bring more positivity in our lives. Great article and research. Thank you.Hi Jim, Thanks a lot for the comment and insight. I certainly had fun researching it and love learning the history of things like this. Regards, Ben.
By chance do you know of a children's story book that tells about the Three Wise Monkeys - Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil? I was brought up on those morals and desire now to pass them along. My desire is to make use of a set of nonbreakable monkeys I just purchased while reading the story out loud to little ones :0) But, I can't find a story to tell along with them .... Can you help? Thank you kindly, the Brown FamilyHi Pat,Thanks for your comment on my article. I don't know of any first hand, but I did a search in Google for "three wise monkey's childrens story" and came up with some possible choices for you.I hope you find something appropriate! :)Kind Regards,Ben.
YES, VERY MUCH SO. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THREE LITTLE MONKEYS AND WONDERED WHAT ORDER THEY SOULD BE IN AND WHERE THEY FIRST CAME INTO BEING THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. K FROM UNITED STATES ,TENNESSEEYou're welcome K. :)
hi this is brittany you are very helpful because i have a project about the three wise monkeys and you got me there this is the best web side i haVE BEEN ON ABOUT THE THREE WISE MONKEYS THANKS TO YOU YOU SHOULD PUT MORE WED SIDES ON ABOUT OTHER THINGS I WOULD GO ONALL THE TIME THANK U THANK U SO MUCH HOW DO I THANK YOU FROM BRITT 7SHHi Brittany,
Thanks for your very kind comments. Glad I was able to help you learn more about the 3 wise monkeys and hopefully you did well no your project! :)
Cheers,
Ben.
my cousin bought me the 3 monkeys when she went to japan and i knew what they were but never really looked into them, thanks for informing me! it helped alot and it is very interestingHi Briana,
Glad you enjoyed my article and found it interesting!
Kind Regards,
Ben.
this was an awesome read. i've always been fascinated by the three monkeys and now i know even more about them. like others, i never knew the 4th one existed but it would be great if someone were to create a set or statue of sorts with all 4 and have it put out there for the world. i saw the cutest lamp with the three monkeys on them and wanted it so bad. unfortunately, when i found it, it was also discontinued and no longer available. talk about disheartening. i have found many representations by many different artists using cats, skulls, faeries, and even mr potato heads lol quite comical and cute but the monkeys will always be my favorite.Hi Amanda,
Thanks a lot for your comment on my article. Sorry you missed out on the lamp, it sounded great!.
Cheers,
Ben.
Look at the "mascot" for Megadeth, Vic Rattlehead.
This is a great article, but I was looking for the story of the three wise monkeys. Do you know where I can find it?thanks, michelle
Hi all
The concept of evil is a judeo christian one. In asian philosophy- the translation is impropriety. This signifies 'wrong' or 'disorder' or 'destructiveness' or 'ignorance' or 'chaos' or anything that is the opposite of the goodness order akin to the order in the natural beauty of healthy lifeforms.
'Evil' is named differently in asian philosphy- it is only a state that is the opposite of constructiveness- and this concept which does not give life to an entity that is incapable of evolution, nor anything isolated or condemned from the harmonious cycles of life.
When the Three Monkeys were first traded into the Occidental market by the trade routes of the Catholic/Italians- many eurocentric translations became commonplace and adopted. Hear no evil, speak and see no evil had a simpler ring to it that the chinese terms of 'impropriety'. But the asian philosophy offers a more profound world vision: it accepts destructiveness exists, but emplores people not to be the source of it, nor to reject unfortunate conditions but to understand destructiveness exists and to actively not participate or be the source of such. Such conduct of rising above destructive behaviour, as exemplified by the three wise monkeys, is a state of self discipline that when practiced can lead to a state of mastery, and transcendance and further begets wholeness and harmony.
Helllooo, i wanted to tell you that i brought my mom the 3 wise monkeys for her for Christmas and i didnt know what actual order it went in, Thank you so much, now we know. :)
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