The three wise monkeys are folk characters that probably appeared first in China, but are well known throughout Asia.

One monkey covers his eyes, so he can not see evil. The second monkey covers his ears, so he can not hear evil. The other monkey covers his mouth, so he can not speak evil.

The Japanese names of the monkeys are: Mizaru (see no evil), Kikazaru (hear no evil), and Iwazaru (speak no evil).

They are known in the Western world but generally without names, merely as "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."