The three wise monkeys and the related proverb are known across the world.
The expression SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL first emerged in Japan in the 17th century and was later accepted worldwide as a message of peace and tolerance due to Mahatma Gandhi’s pictorial metaphor of the three monkeys, with one of them covering his eyes, the second his mouth, and the third his ears.
There’re numerous meanings ascribed to the monkeys and the proverb including relations with being of good mind, speech, and action.
The vision of these three monkeys is a way to calmly fight against modern colonialism, oppression, and injustice.
According to Osho Rajneesh, the monkey representation has reference in ancient Hindu tradition and Buddhist monks spread this symbolism across the globe.
The original version contains fourth monkeys and the fourth monkey covers his genitals — means don’t do anything evil.
