A complete Chinese Zodiac cycle takes 60 years and is made of five simple cycles of twelve years each. Twelve animals signs are assigned to each of the 12 years in combination with the five main elements of gold, wood, water, fire and earth.

The Monkey, the ninth zodiac animal in the cycle, is featured in this series of stamps. In this year of the Monkey it is believed everything will be workable and there will be success even in impossible ventures. There will be inventions and improvisations galore. After the peaceful Year of the Goat, the Year of the Monkey promises to be an exciting and amusing year. It is said that the Monkey's year will bring many new and innovative ways of doing things.

The Monkey is the sign of the inventor, the improviser, and the motivator in the Chinese Zodiac. Intelligent, flexible and innovative, the Monkey personality is a very fast learner and can solve intricate problems with ease. He is also an immensely social character who can get on the good side of everyone.

In the year 2004, the Year of the Monkey is ruled by the element of Wood. The Wood Monkey is a resourceful person who will establish good order in whatever work he decides to take up. Famous persons born in the Year of the Monkey include Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Eleanor Roosevelt and Bette Davis.