三さん猿えん

also: さんざる

さ

ん

え

ん

Meanings

three wise monkeys

Refers to the three monkeys embodying 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil', often depicted as Mizaru, Kikazaru, and Iwazaru. A well-known cultural symbol.

See also: 見猿 · 言わ猿 · 聞か猿

日にっ光こう東とう照しょう宮ぐうの三さん猿えんは有ゆう名めいな彫ちょう刻こくです。
The three wise monkeys at Nikko Toshogu are a famous carving.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Kanji

三three
猿monkey

Related words

見み猿ざる
Mizaru, the monkey covering its eyes, representing 'see no evil'; one of the three monkeys.
聞きか猿ざる
Kikazaru, the monkey covering its ears, representing 'hear no evil'; one of the three monkeys.
言いわ猿ざる
Iwazaru, the monkey covering its mouth, representing 'speak no evil'; one of the three monkeys.

Word family

三さん猿えん主しゅ義ぎ
see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil principle

Written forms

三猿Usage100%
- さんえん
  Standard kanji spelling; the reading さんえん is the most common.
- さんざる
  Alternate reading using the kun'yomi for 猿; less common but still encountered.
さんざる

Etymology

From 三 (three) and 猿 (monkey). The concept is of Chinese origin, later incorporated into Japanese folk belief and famously depicted at Toshogu shrine.