Conflicting traits are mark of monkey
Amid contradictory views on the lunar year's zodiac animal, one monkey stands so tall - it can change its size at will - that it threatens to dwarf not only its brethren but humans as well, writes Raymond Zhou.
Of all 12 zodiac animals, the monkey, while not enjoying the exalted status of the dragon or the tiger, is widely acknowledged to be closest to us humans. Comparing somebody to a monkey, though still largely derogatory, becomes more acceptable because it can take on a scientific dimension once Darwin's theory is factored in.
Most Chinese first encounter the human's relative in the zoo. In recent years some wildlife parks have offered a closer view of the animal's natural habitat. There have been reports of monkeys that pickpocketed tourists or committed other misdemeanors.
