The most famous 3 intelligent monkeys in the world are known as Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru in Japan and Gandhi’s three monkeys (Bapu, Ketan and Bandar) in India. Out of these three monkeys, one monkey is covering its eyes, the other monkey has closed both its ears and the third monkey is keeping its mouth closed. These three wise monkeys inspire us to live life smoothly. These monkeys date back to 500-600 BC.
What are the names of three monkeys
In the Japanese proverb first monkey is mizaru,second is kikazaru and third is iwazaru
1. Mizaru–
monkey who is covering his eyes with both hands called mizaru.
2. Kikazaru–
monkey who is covering his ears with both his hands is called a kikazaru.
3. Iwazaru–
monkey who is shutting his mouth with both hands called an Iwazaru.
In Hindi proverb their names are
1.see no Evil (bura mat dekho)
2.hear no Evil (Bura Mat Suno)
3.speak no Evil (Bura Mat Bolo)
In India it is known as three monkeys(bapu,ketan aur bandar) of Mahatma Gandhi.
what is the symbol/meaning of 3 wise monkeys
These 3 wise monkeys mizaru,kikazaru and iwazaru gives very deep learning or message to human being specially to kids and students because childhood is a foundation of our life.
1.mizaru/see no evil —
There are good and bad in every human being, so we should see the good and learn something and not the bad. It is said that we become like the people we live with, then even evil starts appearing normal to us, so it is better not to see evil. Things that hurt you or don’t help you grow, should not be taken for granted.
Another message of this is that always stay focused on your goal.
2. kikazaru /hear no evil–
The other monkey who closes his ears with both hands, which we know as Keikazaru, teaches us not to react if someone says bad things about someone to you. You should decide right or wrong at your own discretion.
3. Iwazaru /speak no evil —
The third monkey Iwazaru gives us the message that we should not speak words that hurt the feelings of the listener. That’s why this monkey is closing its mouth with its hands. Always express your points in the right way with proper words.
what is the meaning of three wise monkeys mizaru,kikazaru and iwazaru
These three names are from the Japanese language, if we look at these three words, then they are formed from the suffix zaru/saru which means “no”.
in japanese see means miru.so
mizaru=miru+zaru
mizaru=see+ no
mizaru= no see
इसी तरह सुनना को जापान में kiku कहते हैं Similarly, listening is called kiku in Japan.
kikazaru=kiku+zaru
kikazaru=hear +no
kikazaru= no hear
The Japanese word iwa means to say (to speak)
iwazaru=iwa+zaru
iwazaru=say +no
iwazaru= no speak
Mizaru, kikazaru aur iwazaru means ‘see no evil’, ‘ hear no evil’ and ‘ speak no evil’.
history /origin of three wise monkeys
These three monkeys originated from India. This can be confirmed by knowing the history of these three monkeys. It is said that a Buddhist bhikkhu brought the learnings ‘ don’t see’, ‘don’t hear’, ‘don’t speak’ to China around the 8th century and it became famous in Japan as Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru.
‘Don’t see’, ‘don’t hear’, ‘don’t speak’ are the three messages seen in Buddhist teachings.
These depictions have also been seen by Buddhist bhikkhus.
There are three concepts/stories about the origin of these three monkeys.
(i)The first hypothesis
The first hypothesis is that the three monkeys, mizaru, kikazaru aur iwazaru, originated in Japan and this is evidenced by the three monkeys carved in wood in the Toshogu Garden inside a small village called Nikko, Japan.
(ii)The second hypothesis
The second hypothesis is that in the eighth century a Japanese Buddhist who belonged to the tendai school of Japan was sent to the tiantai school of China for Buddhist education. He had brought these three teachings ‘don’t see’, ‘hear no’, ‘don’t speak’ from there. In Japan, they were depicted as monkeys, which became very famous all over the world.
This phrase is also present in the literature collection in China from the 2nd century to the 4th century BC, which means that these three monkeys originated from China.
(iii)The third hypothesis
The third hypothesis is that this proverb originated or originated from India. According to Osho Rajneesh the symbolism of the three monkeys was spread throughout Asia by Buddhist bhikkhus i.e. it originated in the Buddhist period.
After this, a Japanese Buddhist bhikkhu gave this gift to Gandhiji, who became famous all over India in the name of Gandhiji’s three monkeys (Bapu, Ketan and Bandar).
Buddhist bhikkhu is present in all these three concepts, so according to me it originated from India and after that it came from India to China, from China to Japan and again from Japan to India. And now this symbol is known to the whole world.
Recently, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has gifted this symbol to the President of America, Donald Trump. The Buddhist period came in 600 BC, so perhaps these three monkeys are also 500-600 BC old and this proverb is equally old.
who gifted 3 monkeys to Gandhi?
In 1933, a Japanese bhikkhu had come to meet Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram. He had gifted the replica of three monkeys to Gandhiji. These three monkeys were made of porcelain
what is the fourth monkey
The name of the fourth monkey is Shizaru, who covers his genitalia with both his hands. The 4th monkey says that one should never do any evil. Eventually the 4th monkey also came in this way.
what is the 5th monkey
Not much information is available about the 5th monkey. This monkey is holding the bowl in its lap with both hands, which probably means do not overeat.
Where are Gandhiji’s three monkeys kept?
Gandhiji’s three monkeys were made of porcelain which was presented to him by a Japanese bhikkhu. After the death of Gandhi, these monkeys were kept in the National Gandhi Museum at Rajghat, Delhi.
conclusion —
3 wise monkeys mizaru, kikazaru and iwazaru are the most famous in the world. So far 6 wise monkeys have been mentioned, out of which 4th is shizaru but 5th and 6th wise monkeys have not been confirmed so maybe both these monkeys are fake. Considering 3 wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil) as a symbol of protection, they are also kept in homes, shops, offices etc. In Japan these monkeys are known as mizaru, kikazaru and iwazaru and in India Gandhi’s three monkeys are known by these names ‘see no evil’, ‘hear no evil’ and ‘say no evil’.
FAQ
Q1.What are the 3 monkeys called?
Ans-These three monkeys are called Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru.
Q2.Do the three wise monkeys have names?
Ans- Yes, these monkeys have names too
The monkey who is keeping his hands on his eyes is called Mizaru. The monkey who closes his ears with his hands is called Kikazaru and the monkey who closes his mouth with his hands is Iwazaru.
Q3.Are there 3 or 4 Wise Monkeys?
Ans- Mainly three monkeys are the most famous. Those who see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil are known by the name. It is believed that there is another monkey who teaches not to do bad. Some people say that it teaches not to think bad. In this way the fourth monkey also came.
Q4.What are the 4 Wise Monkeys called?
Ans- 1.MIZARU-see no evil monkey (bura mat dekho)
2.KIKAZARU-hear no evil monkey (bura mat suno)
3.IWAZARU-speak no evil monkey (bura mat kaho)
4.SHIZARU-do no evil/think no evil (bura mat karo/socho)
Q5.Where did the 3 wise monkeys come from?
Ans- It is originated from Japan which is inspired from the Buddhist period. These three monkeys are representations of the Buddha’s teachings as monkeys. Monkeys are considered very intelligent in Japan.
Q6.What are the 4 no evil monkeys?
Ans- 1.see no evil monkey (bura mat dekho)-
The monkey who closes his eyes with both his hands is called see no evil monkey
2.hear no evil monkey (bura mat suno)-
The monkey who closes both the ears with his hands hears no evil monkey.
3.speak no evil monkey (bura mat kaho)-
The monkey who closes his mouth with both his hands is called speak no evil monkey.
4.do no evil/think no evil (bura mat karo/socho)-
This monkey is covering its genital organ with its hands which means do no evil / think no evil monkey.
Q7.Who gifted three monkeys to Gandhiji?
Ans- In 1933, a Japanese bhikkhu had come to meet Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram. He had given the replica of three monkeys as a gift to Gandhiji.
Q8.What are the 5 wise monkeys?
Ans- 1.MIZARU-see no evil monkey (bura mat dekho)
2.KIKAZARU-hear no evil monkey (bura mat suno)
3.IWAZARU-speak no evil monkey (bura mat kaho)
4.SHIZARU-do no evil/think no evil (bura mat karo/socho)
5. 5th monkey-do not overeat monkey
Q9.What order is the 3 wise monkeys?
Ans- In 3 wise monkeys, first of all see no evil then hear no evil and finally the speak no evil monkey comes.
Q10.What is the fourth monkey of Mahatma Gandhi?
Ans- Don’t think bad/evil monkey is Gandhi’s fourth monkey.