This upcoming Chinese New Year is known as the Year of the Red Fire Monkey and falls on Monday, February 8, 2016. Characteristics of monkeys are clever, smart and personable. They tend to be trouble-makers because they are mischievous and curious, and since monkeys like to play all of the time, they enjoy pulling pranks on people. Monkeys are also fast learners and very crafty.

Chinese New Year typically celebrates a year of hard work, family relationships and prosperity.

The annual holiday is a big celebration for some. “I go out with about 30 people to a restaurant in East Rutherford called Asian Grill, and we all wear red for the Chinese New Year,” said Teacher’s Aide Mrs. Melchionne. She mentioned that she has one friend who decorates the table and brings everyone a plushy of whatever animal is being celebrated that year.

The Year of the Monkey is believed to be mostly unlucky for people born in one of the following years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, and so forth.

People born during one of those years are told to be cautious of traffic accidents. They must be aware of traffic safety and never take any risks, since this is the year of health risks for them. They should pay attention to safety as they go about their daily routine. Monkeys are also said to have a difficult time in relationships this year.

If one was born in the Year of the Monkey, he or she needs to watch out for things that are considered unlucky. For example, their unlucky colors are red and pink, unlucky numbers are 2 and 7, and lastly, unlucky directions are south and southeast.

Moving on, their lucky numbers are 4 and 9, lucky colors are white, blue and gold, lucky flowers are chrysanthemum and crape-myrtle and lucky directions are north, northwest and west.

Furthermore, they are fast learners, so they can easily adapt to different working environments. The best careers for them are accounting, banking, stock market trading, salesmanship, and film directing.

Monkeys are most compatible with an Ox or a Rabbit because they have similar personalities and views on life. They are least compatible with a Tiger or a Pig because they have difficulty communicating with each other; therefore, conflicts will bring a lot of negativity into their relationship.