See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil Three Wise Monkeys Carving

"See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil” Three Wise Monkeys. Carved wood, 2 1/8” tall. One small chip on base, as seen in third photo. 

The Three Wise Monkeys embody the Japanese proverbial principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys are Mizaru, covering his eyes; Kikazaru, covering his ears; and Iwazaru, covering his mouth.

The monkeys are meant to symbolize being of good mind, speech and action, or are sometimes used to refer to those who deal with impropriety by turning a blind eye.