I don't hear I don't see I don't say the meaning. “Three mystical monkeys” - what does this symbol of wisdom mean?

Surely you understand what kind of monkeys we are talking about: one closes its ears, the other closes its eyes, the third closes its mouth. They are painted on T-shirts, and they are used to make keychains and figurines. This symbol has become so popular that its meaning has been distorted more than once. For example, some interpret it as indifference to everything. But this is completely wrong and has nothing to do with the real meaning!

Monkeys are known in the West as "See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing." But to be precise, the figures contain the idea of ​​​​renouncing everything that is bad. The main point is to avoid bad deeds and practice wise caution.

Each monkey has its own name: Kikazaru, Iwazaru, Mizaru. Sometimes a fourth woman named Shizaru is also depicted with them, covering her stomach with her paw. Its main idea is “do not commit evil.” But it is not so widespread, since in Asian numerology the number 4 is considered unfavorable. The endings of animal names are similar in sound to the word "saru", which means "monkey". Another meaning is “to leave.” Many see a play on words here.

In the composition, which is called "Sambiki-Saru" in Japanese, the rejection of evil is embodied in the monkeys for a reason. These animals are sacred in Shintoism, the traditional religion of Japan. They are considered a talisman that protects against slander.

The phrase became famous thanks to a carved panel depicting three monkeys. The sculptor Hidari Jingoro depicted them in the 17th century at the Tosho-gu Shinto shrine. It is located in the ancient city of Nikko - the religious and pilgrimage center of the country.

A similar idea for a phrase was seen in the book of sayings of Confucius. Here's what he said:

“Don't look at what's wrong; Don't listen to what is wrong; Don't say what is wrong; Don't do what is wrong." Some believe that the Japanese adopted it and shortened it.

In addition, three monkeys accompanied the deity Vajrayaksha. He protected people from evil spirits and diseases.

Some netsuke depict Sambiki-sara - three monkeys, each of which covers either its mouth, ears or eyes with its paws. This plot is an illustration of the Buddhist idea of ​​“see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.” In Japan, it is associated with the main Shinto shrine of the Japanese - Toshogu Shrine. It is located in the city of Nikko and is the mausoleum of the all-powerful feudal ruler of Japan, commander and shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616). Having seized power in the country, he stopped the bloody feudal strife that had tormented Japan until that time. After his death, the magnificent mausoleum, the construction of which lasted from November 1634 to April 1636, became a kind of symbol of submission to the central government. The exorbitant costs of building the temple so weakened the financial capabilities of the local feudal lords that they could no longer plot intrigues against the institution of the shogunate.

Toshogu includes the small but magnificently decorated Sacred Stable building. At one time it contained a horse, which, according to Shinto beliefs, was ridden by the gods themselves. In medieval Japan, the monkey was considered a kind of guardian spirit of horses. It is not surprising that the walls of the Sacred Stable are covered with openwork wood carvings, the main subjects of which are figures of monkeys. One of the central panels depicts three monkeys demonstrating their rejection of evil by their poses. These half-meter-tall figures are widely known throughout Japan as the “Three Monkeys of Nikko.”

It is curious that in Japanese the phrase “see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing” sounds like “mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru.” The Japanese word for "monkey" sounds similar to the ending of each of these three verbs - "zaru" or "zaru". Therefore, the image of monkeys, illustrating the Buddhist idea of ​​​​the rejection of evil, is the result of a peculiar play on words in Japanese iconography. Netsuke masters often reflected this theme in their works.

Three Mystical Monkeys with closed eyes, ears and mouth mean the following: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”

The famous Shinto shrine Nikko Tosho-gu in the Japanese city of Nikko houses a work of art known throughout the world. A carved panel depicting three wise monkeys has been located above the door of this temple since the 17th century. Made by sculptor Hidari Jingoro, the carving illustrates the famous phrase “See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.”

Three wise monkeys./ Photo: noomarketing.net

It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century, as part of Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The carved monkey panel is only one small part of a larger series of panels at Tosho-gu Shrine.

Three monkeys at Tosho-gu Shrine in Nikko, Japan.

There are 8 panels in total, which represent the “Code of Conduct” developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. A similar phrase appears in the collection of sayings of the philosopher “Lun Yu” (“Analects of Confucius”). Only in the edition, dating back to approximately the 2nd – 4th centuries AD, it sounded a little different: “Do not look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say anything that is contrary to decency; do not do anything that is contrary to decency.” It is possible that this is an original phrase that was shortened after it appeared in Japan.

World War II poster addressed to participants in the Manhattan Project.

The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Land of the Rising Sun. On the panel, monkeys sit in a row, the first one covers its ears with its paws, the second one covers its mouth, and the third one is carved with its eyes closed.

Monkeys are commonly known as "see no, hear no, speak no" monkeys, but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey who covers his ears is called Kikazaru, the one who covers his mouth is Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes his eyes.

Three wise monkeys on the beach in Barcelona.

The names are likely a play on words, as they all end in "zaru", which is the Japanese word for monkey. The second meaning of this word is “to leave,” that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.

Together, this composition in Japanese is called “Sambiki-Saru”, i.e. “Three Mystical Monkeys”. Sometimes a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the famous trio, who represents the principle of “do no evil.” It is worth noting that according to the generally accepted opinion, Shizaru was added much later in the souvenir industry, only for commercial purposes.

Brass casting.

Monkeys represent the approach to life in the Shinto and Koshin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is approximately 500 years old, however, some argue that similar symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Photographs of monkeys can be seen on ancient Koshin scrolls, at which time the Tosho-gu Shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.

The oldest monument is Kosin.

Contrary to popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" sculptures and paintings are unlikely to be found in any country other than Japan. The oldest kosin monument to feature monkeys was built in 1559, but it only features one monkey, not three.

The famous Shinto shrine Nikko Tosho-gu in the Japanese city of Nikko houses a work of art known throughout the world. A carved panel depicting three wise monkeys has been located above the door of this temple since the 17th century. Made by sculptor Hidari Jingoro, the carving illustrates the famous phrase “See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.”

It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century, as part of Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The carved monkey panel is just one small part of a larger series of panels at Tosho-gu Shrine.

There are 8 panels in total, which represent the “Code of Conduct” developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. A similar phrase appears in the collection of sayings of the philosopher “Lun Yu” (“Analects of Confucius”). Only in the edition, dating back to approximately the 2nd – 4th centuries AD, it sounded a little different: “Do not look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say anything that is contrary to decency; do not do anything that is contrary to decency.” It is possible that this is an original phrase that was shortened after it appeared in Japan.

The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Land of the Rising Sun. On the panel, monkeys sit in a row, the first one covers its ears with its paws, the second one covers its mouth, and the third one is carved with its eyes closed.

Monkeys are commonly known as "see no, hear no, speak no" monkeys, but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey who covers his ears is called Kikazaru, the one who covers his mouth is Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes his eyes.

The names are likely a play on words, as they all end in "zaru", which is the Japanese word for monkey. The second meaning of this word is “to leave,” that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.

Together, this composition in Japanese is called “Sambiki-Saru”, i.e. “Three Mystical Monkeys”. Sometimes a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the famous trio, who represents the principle of “do no evil.” It is worth noting that according to the generally accepted opinion, Shizaru was added much later in the souvenir industry, only for commercial purposes.

Monkeys represent the approach to life in the Shinto and Koshin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is approximately 500 years old, however, some argue that similar symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Photographs of monkeys can be seen on ancient Koshin scrolls, at which time the Tosho-gu Shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.

Contrary to popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" sculptures and paintings are unlikely to be found in any country other than Japan. The oldest kosin monument to feature monkeys was built in 1559, but it only features one monkey, not three.

Many of us know what three monkeys look like, symbolizing the Buddhist idea of ​​​​the non-action of evil. But there is a fourth monkey. What does it symbolize? And why do few people know about this handsome guy, shyly covering his belly and crotch?

The three wise monkeys, personifying the Buddhist principle of non-doing evil: “see no evil”, “hear no evil”, “do not speak of evil”, are well known to many. The monkeys Mi-zaru, Kika-zaru and Iwa-zaru “hide” from evil by covering their mouths, eyes and ears; their images are often found, and also copied and parodied.

But there is a fourth monkey, the image of which is much less common. Forgotten Sezaru embodies the principle of “do no evil” and covers her stomach or crotch area with her hands. Since the Japanese consider the number four unlucky, the fourth monkey is mentioned very rarely.

“Three Monkeys” became popular back in the 17th century, thanks to the sculpture above the doors of the famous Shinto shrine Toshogu in the Japanese city of Nikko. Most often, the origin of the symbol is associated with the folk belief of Kosin.

There is a similar phrase in the book of Confucius “Lun Yu”: “Do not look at what is wrong. Don't listen to what is wrong. Don't say what is wrong. Don't do what is wrong." Perhaps it was these phrases that were later simplified in Japan, in relation to the four monkeys.