Three Monkeys PLUS … – new variations of an old symbol
The symbol of the Three Monkeys is known all over the world, but culture, the internet, and pop culture keep expanding its meaning.
More and more often, we encounter extended versions of the motif, where a fourth, fifth, and sometimes even a sixth or seventh monkey are added to the classic set.
What do these additional gestures symbolize?
What are their origins?
And how are they used today in art, on the internet, and in pop culture?
📌 The Classic Set – the “core” of the symbol
The Three Monkeys represent:
🙈 See no evil – do not see evil
🙉 Hear no evil – do not hear evil
🙊 Speak no evil – do not speak evil
This is the original set, known since the 17th century, placed at the Tōshō-gū shrine complex in Nikkō, Japan, above the entrance to the sacred horse stables.
The symbol represents the principle of avoiding evil – both in our actions and in the way we perceive the world.
➕ New Variations – the Fourth and Fifth Monkey
In the 20th and 21st centuries, the motif began to evolve.
New gestures have been added to the classic set, expanding the original message of the symbol.
Here are the most common extensions found in sets of four and five monkeys:
✋ Shizaru – “Do no evil”
👉 A monkey with its hands folded on the chest or stomach.
📌 This is the most common and recognized fourth monkey.
Closely linked to Confucian philosophy, it reminds us that morality begins with our actions.
💭 “Think no evil”
👉 A monkey with its hands on the forehead, temples, or head.
📌 The most popular fifth monkey in modern interpretations.
It emphasizes that good and evil begin in our intentions and the way we think.
👃 “Smell no evil”
👉 A monkey covering its nose.
📌 Commonly seen in humorous figurines and online graphics.
In modern interpretations, it symbolizes avoiding toxic situations, places, or people.
🔹 There is no confirmed historical origin for this variation.
🤲 “Feel no evil”
👉 A monkey covering its entire body, stomach, or hands.
📌 A symbol of protection against harmful contact.
It most likely originated as a modern variation in art and pop culture.
Frequently seen in tattoos and contemporary sculptures.
🤐 “Hide no truth” / “Keep no secrets”
👉 A monkey with its mouth uncovered.
📌 A modern reinterpretation, reversing the original meaning of
“speak no evil”.
It promotes transparency, truth, and freedom of speech.
⚠️ Note – New Interpretations
It is important to emphasize that all new interpretations of the Three Monkeys symbol – apart from the classic Shizaru – are not yet fully studied or scientifically classified.
The extended form of the symbol is constantly evolving, and new variations and gestures emerge dynamically, often in response to events, cultural trends, and changing times.
Wooden figurines depicting four monkeys — an extended version of the classic Three Wise Monkeys symbol (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil).
The first three monkeys represent the traditional gestures:
covering the eyes – see no evil,
covering the ears – hear no evil,
covering the mouth – speak no evil.
The fourth monkey, standing on the left, holds its hands on its chest and represents the principle “do no evil”.
This figure refers to Shizaru, the lesser-known fourth monkey that appears in some Japanese and Indian variations of the symbol.
Such sets are rare and illustrate an expanded interpretation of the traditional motif.
🎭 Monkeys in Pop Culture and Contemporary Art
The symbol of extended monkeys is appearing more and more frequently in various contexts:
🎨 Tattoos – especially popular in the USA, Europe, and South America
🖼️ Graphics and memes – very popular on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest
🐒 Figurines, sculptures, posters, and gadgets – widely available for sale worldwide
📢 Social campaigns – related to human rights, freedom of speech, and privacy protection
🔹 There are no confirmed global statistics,
but observations from social media indicate a growing popularity of sets with four, five, or more monkeys.
According to some sources, tattoos featuring the “Think no evil” motif are becoming one of the most common variants in Europe and the USA.
Figurine depicting four monkeys as an extended interpretation of the Three Wise Monkeys symbol.
Two monkeys perform the classic gestures:
covering the mouth – speak no evil,
covering the eyes – see no evil.
The first monkey on the left holds its hands on top of its head — this may represent the principle “think no evil” or be an artistic variation of the gesture.
Such four-monkey sets are less common and illustrate the diversity of symbolic interpretations.
🌏 The Symbol of Extended Monkeys in Different Cultures
Although the motif originated in Japan, today it is global and present on every continent.
Below are selected examples, but it’s important to note that new interpretations of the Three, Four, and Five Monkeys continue to emerge worldwide – in art, tattoos, memes, handicrafts, and pop culture:
Japan – additional gestures still strongly connected to Confucian ethics
India – often interpreted in the context of karma philosophy and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi
China – local figurine variations are present in Buddhism and Taoism
Europe – popular in modern art, tattoos, memes, and pop culture
United States – widely used in marketing, tattoos, films, and social campaigns
South America – found in folk crafts, street art, and graphics
Africa – present in sculptures, tattoos, and artistic projects
Australia & Oceania – visible in contemporary art, pop culture, tattoos, and educational projects
🔹 These are just selected examples.
In reality, on every continent, we can find interpretations of the symbol with four, five, six, or even more monkeys.
They appear in many different contexts:
in modern art
in tattoos
in memes and online culture
in advertising and marketing
in handicrafts
in social campaigns
The symbol is evolving globally and continues to inspire creators, regardless of place, religion, or tradition.
🧩 What Does the Presence of Additional Monkeys Mean?
Adding a fourth, fifth, or even sixth monkey represents an extension of the ethical compass:
from senses and speech
through actions
to thoughts and intentions
For some, this is a natural evolution of the symbol;
for others, it’s a joke or a pop culture variation.
Regardless of interpretation, the symbol remains relevant
and continues to inspire future generations.
📸 Join Our Gallery!
Do you have figurines featuring the Four, Five, Six Monkeys motif — or maybe even more?
We aim to create the largest gallery of such examples in the world!
Send us your photos, and your items will become part of our collection.
Thanks to you, others will discover the diversity of interpretations of this symbol.
📧 Send your photos to: welcome[@]threemonkeys.center
📝 Or use the contact form in the Contact section.
Do you have your own photos, graphics, or know other interpretations of the symbol?
We’d love to see them and feature them in the next part of the article!
