What is three wise monkey statues?

The three wise monkey statues are a popular Japanese symbol that represent the proverbial principle of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." These statues are often seen together, with one depicting a monkey covering its eyes with its hands (Mizaru), another its ears (Kikazaru), and the third its mouth (Iwazaru).

These statues are believed to have originated from a Chinese philosophy called analects of Confucius. However, it has been more popular in Japan than any other country. The popularity of these three wise monkeys has increased all around the world and has become a global icon of wisdom and the idea of avoiding a bad influence.

The statues have been used as messeges in different places such as schools, public offices, and buildings. The statues often appear in woodcuts, illustrations or engravings in artwork across several cultures and are often seen as a keepsake to remind oneself the importance of having a moral compass and to avoid negative influences.