The Three Wise Monkeys

 

Gentle Reader, you learn something new every day.  Today, at the top of my list are the Three Wise Monkeys.  They have names!  Further, there is a fourth Wise Monkey that must have an awful publicist due to the simple fact that most people outside of Japan just do not know he exists! 

We’ll discuss more about that in a second.  Right now I would like to share the progression of this revelation and how it unfolded before my very eyes on 12/21/12, the end of the Mayan calendar and the beginning of a new cycle by their count.  You see it starts with our mutual friend, the Internet.  I was poking around over at The Dog & Pony Show http://dogandponyshowwebsite.com/awesome-links-cow-photobomb-a-flying-enterprise-model-cartoon-theme-power-hourand-candice-on-the-beach/ which had a link to OMG FACTS http://www.omg-facts.com/History/The-three-wise-monkeys-have-names/54897 which listed the monkey’s names and occupations and listed their source, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_wise_monkeys ~ BOOM.

The Three Wise Monkeys are of Japanese origin and are sometimes called the Three Mystic Apes.  As per Wikipedia, “There are various meanings ascribed to the monkeys and the proverb including associations with being of good mind, speech and action. In the Western world the phrase is often used to refer to those who deal with impropriety by turning a blind eye.”  I prefer the eastern proverbial principal to our western one.  And now, without further ado here are the details of the Three Wise Monkeys…

Mizaru – covers his eyes to see no evil

Kikazaru – covers his ears to hear no evil

Iwazaru – covers his mouth to speak no evil

And, the mysterious FOURTH monkey…

Shizaru – crosses his arms to do no evil

And that’s what I learned today thanks to our mutual friend, the Internet; being good in mind, speech, and action – those Three (and sometimes FOUR) Wise Monkeys have names.