What do the monkeys in The White Lotus Season 3 signify? Speculations and theories, explored

With a huge ensemble cast in every The White Lotus season, it looks like the makers also cast a group of monkeys in Season 3, as they appear to be everywhere in the new season.

The critically acclaimed series, where "each passing day, a darker complexity emerges in these picture-perfect travelers, the hotel's cheerful employees, and the idyllic locale itself, " returns with another maddening season.

The part of the mayhem created this season could be attributed to monkeys, which looms large this season. While their significance is yet to be revealed, Reddit theories suggest everything from spirituality and religion to even monkeys could be the killers of this season.

Let's explore the significance of monkeys in The White Lotus Season 3.

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Monkeys, Murder, and Reincarnation in The White Lotus. Exploring Reddit theories for Season 3

Reddit fan theories have been running wild with the monkeys ever since they appeared in the first chaotic scene of The White Lotus' new season, which also featured a murder. The new season opened up with Belinda's son Zion attending a meditative session with hotel staff Amrita, who asks her to 'open his monkey mind'.

However, he is interrupted by loud chatters of monkey hoots, which are soon overpowered by shooting noises, and he discovers a dead body in the pond. Since the overarching theme of this season is Buddhist spirituality and religion, many Reddit fans have linked the monkeys to the Buddhist idea of enlightenment.

Couple this idea with the large monkey statue featured between the shots in the resort, and Reddit user, u/SameSamediff1, theory is worth noting:

''The establishing shot of the monkey statue perched over the resort sets the stage as symbolic foreshadow that these guests are going to be hindered on this stay with the Buddhist concept of monkey mind. They double down and cut to a different monkey statue in the dark & illuminated by flickering flame. There’s the monkey in the beautiful light and the monkey in the smoldering dark— yin & yang! … all in the establishing sequence.''

Secondly, many fan theories have also linked monkeys with the trinity concept of ''see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil'', as the new season features many threes, for instance, the three best friends and three Ratliff siblings.

Reddit fan theories are going wild with the Ratliff siblings, who have had a weird incestuous vibe since The White Lotus Episode 1, and how they physically embodied the three monkeys in the show's opening scene:

''And the first shot of the kids is see no evil (glasses), hear no evil (headphones), and speak no evil (drinking)… also monkeys!'' u/JakeVanderArkWriter notes

If you thought these theories were bizarre, you definitely did not see this one coming, as many fans think that the monkeys actually signify Tanya's reincarnation. (Yes, you read that right)

With Greg re-introduced as Gary in The White Lotus Episode 2, speculation around his connection with Tanya's death was rampant. Judging from Tanya's character in Seasons 1 and 2, she would definitely not let Greg off the hook, which is why she probably reincarnated as a monkey to exact revenge.

What's more wild, you ask? Many fans have noticed how Jennifer Coolidge's name card appears with an image of a monkey in Seasons 1 and 2's opening credits, which might be subtle foreshadowing on the maker's part, as Reddit user, u/Puzzleheaded_Ebb2640, points out:

''In Season 2, Jennifer Coolidge’s (Tanya) card, appears in a painting depicting a blonde woman holding a chained monkey. Now, in Season 3, we see imagery of monkeys that are free. Could this symbolize the monkey’s liberation—and, in turn, Tanya’s revenge?''

Lastly, many fans have also noted that this season's killer might actually be a monkey, as Reddit user, u/Billythedog101, pointed out:

''I would love if a monkey ended up "accidentally" killing Greg. That would be the definition of "What goes around comes around."

Keep watching The White Lotus Season 3 to see what these monkeys are up to.

Also Read: The White Lotus: Meet the only character to appear in all three seasons

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