What All The Monkeys In The White Lotus Season 3 Really Mean

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The White Lotus season 3, episode 2.

The recurring appearance of monkeys in The White Lotus season 3 is intentional and symbolic in the hit HBO series and may even be a foreshadowing of future episodes. Given that The White Lotus season 3 takes place in Thailand, it’s not surprising that monkeys and other forms of common Thai wildlife appear throughout the show. Monkeys, however, are given a particular spotlight in The White Lotus season 3, appearing as spectators to the unfolding drama while also being depicted in massive statues, part of the scenery of The White Lotus Thai Resort.

Monkeys have been a common animal and theme in previous seasons of The White Lotus as well, hinting at an overarching symbolism and connection between monkeys and the wide array of characters in The White Lotus. All this “monkey business” in The White Lotus season 3 appears to be centered on the notion of the “monkey mind”, which is a Buddhist term for the chaotic and restless mind of humans who struggle to find peace through meditation and cosmic awareness. The “monkey mind” is focused on distractions that can source anxiety, which is seen throughout The White Lotus season 3.

Monkeys Have Appeared Through All Three Seasons Of The White Lotus

Steve Zahn’s Season 1 Character Talked About “The Man & The Monkey”

The monkey in the trees in The White Lotus season 3

Monkeys and monkey symbolism in The White Lotus first emerged in the first season, which took place in Hawaii. The White Lotus season 1, episode 3 was titled “Mysterious Monkeys.” Steve Zahn’s Mark Mossbender constantly beats his chest in season 1. In one scene, he says, “There’s the man, and there’s the monkey. And somehow, you gotta be man enough to face down the monkey.” Monkeys are also featured in the opening credits of The White Lotus season 3 and past seasons, which really stands as a general reminder of how humans have evolved and, then again, how they haven’t.

Given that The White Lotus has historically been about characters mostly lost or stuck in their “monkey mindsets”, this overarching theme makes perfect sense for The White Lotus season 3, especially given the heightened tone of spirituality and the tropical Thai setting.

Ironically, the actual monkeys in The White Lotus season 3 seem quite tame compared to some characters.

Many of the characters in The White Lotus season 3 and in previous seasons have operated on a base level of human motivation, drive, and desire. They are typically focused on superficial and performative elements and are innately competitive as a result. Ironically, the actual monkeys in The White Lotus season 3 seem quite tame compared to some characters.

What Monkeys Symbolize In The White Lotus

Monkeys Often Symbolize Animalistic Instincts & Primitive Motivations

Previous iterations of The White Lotus have demonstrated various forms of the “monkey mind” at play. The White Lotus season 1, which focused on societal themes such as imperialism, distribution of wealth, and financially motivated topics, alludes to the innate drive towards dominance.

All the characters who attended The White Lotus Resort in Hawaii are of a certain breed, typically wealthy and successful people. Their lifestyles are fueled by amenities and reminders of their elite status, which in the context of the “monkey mind” is a false representation of identity via attachment. Similarly, in season 2, the sexual tensions and infidelities derive from a primitive source.

Why The White Lotus Season 3 Changed The Intro Music

Viewers who tuned in for the season 3 premiere of The White Lotus may have noticed a change to the popular club-inspired theme song from season 2.

Every season of The White Lotus features some aspect of death, which the “monkey mind” is not interested in. Still, it is tied to a primitive need for survival, which is built into every living thing. In the context of The White Lotus season 3, survival refers mostly to business and career survival, as seen through Jason Isaac’s Timoty Ratliff character.

It also refers to social survival, as in Carrie Coon’s Laurie and Leslie Bibb’s Kate, who cling to Michelle Monaghan’s Jaclyn Lemon’s fame and wealth. The “monkey mindset” can be applied to virtually any character in The White Lotus, even Belinda, who survives through kindness and emotional labor.

The Ratliff Children’s Connection To Monkeys

One Season 3 Image Has Major Implications

Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Piper Ratliff (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lochlan Ratliff (Sam Nivola) on the boat on their way to the hotel in The White Lotus Season 3 Ep 1 — Image via Max

One of the images of the Ratliff kids from The White Lotus season 3 appears to have a deeper meaning relating to the overarching monkey symbolism. The image appears to be an interpretation of the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” proverb, which more-or-less symbolizes inaction or avoidance of wrongdoing in one’s self and/or others. Given that all three Ratliff kids have their own flaws and personal struggles, it would seem like this symbolism would hint at their future flaws or fates being realized.

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon “seeing no evil” likely indicates that he is blinded to his own arrogance, creepiness, and other factors that make him incredibly problematic. Saxon is blinded by conceit and overconfidence, which is reinforced by his prideful mother and his family’s wealth.

Patrick Schwarzenneger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola from The White Lotus season 3

What The Hell Is Going On With The Ratliff Family’s Kids In The White Lotus Season 3?

The weird incestuous dynamic between the three Ratliff kids, Piper, Lochlan & Saxon, in The White Lotus season 3 premiere is alarmingly strange.

Piper “hears no evil” as a way to cope with being in such a dysfunctional family, although she may not be listening to certain aspects of herself or others outside of her family circle, which is its own form of arrogance. Lochlan “speaks no evil” which could allude to his closeted homosexuality, which may be frowned upon or seen as sinful in his conservative family.

Lochlan’s comment to Piper about what Saxon said about her sexuality was also a strange verbal misstep, hinting that Lochlan may be more secretive and careful with information in future episodes of The White Lotus, or else it could be his downfall.

Could A Monkey Be The Real Killer In The White Lotus Season 3?

A Popular Fan Theory Features A Monkey With A Gun Gone Rogue

One popular fan theory suggests that one of the monkeys seen in The White Lotus season 3 somehow got hold of a gun and started the shooting scene at the start of the season 3 premiere episode. The theory specifically predicts that the ghost of Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya somehow possesses a monkey to enact revenge on Jon Gries’ Greg, who goes by Gary in season 3. Greg tried to kill Tanya in The White Lotus season 2 and appears to be living off her fortune in Thailand.

Patrick Schwarzenneger from The White Lotus and from Gen V

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s The White Lotus Role Continues His Big Career Trend & Hints At A Big Twist

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon Ratliff role in The White Lotus season 3 continues a streak of playing a particular type of character in various shows.

While this fan theory is fun to entertain, it would take the series to an unprecedented supernatural area, which would be surprising but not out of the question. If the theory is proved to be correct in The White Lotus season 3 finale, the gunslinging monkey could represent how the “monkey mind” has caused destruction in the world and in the lives of the characters. Regardless, the monkeys should have a bigger role in The White Lotus season 3 as the series progresses, so viewers may want to keep an eye on them.