The Monkey Theory: How The White Lotus Explores Our Primal Nature

HBO’s The White Lotus returns with its highly anticipated third season, this time transporting us to the lush, spiritual, and chaotic landscapes of Thailand. But beneath the opulent luxury of yet another White Lotus resort, there is something deeper at play—a return to the primal. This season, the series doesn't just expose human hypocrisy and power struggles; it drags us into the jungle of the mind, where the "Monkey Theory" takes center stage.

Hear me out!….

The Man and the Monkey: A White Lotus Legacy

If you’ve been a hypervigilant White Lotus theorist like me, you might remember that the monkey motif has been lurking in the background since Season 1.

Exhibit A: Episode 3 of Season 1 is called Mysterious Monkeys.

Exhibit B: Jennifer Coolidge title card appears over a monkey painting in both Season 1 & 2.

Monkeys, Buddhism, and the Philosophy of The White Lotus

Thailand offers the perfect setting to explore the deeper spiritual currents of the series. Buddhism, a major influence in Thai culture, places the white lotus at the heart of its symbolism. The white lotus represents purity, rising unsullied from murky waters—much like the characters of The White Lotus, attempting (and failing) to transcend their moral corruption. The show, however, suggests that some people are stuck in samsara (the cycle of suffering and rebirth), forever repeating the same f* mistakes…

But let’s talk about the Three Wise Monkeys: "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" teaches that avoiding negativity can shield us from corruption. Season 3 teases this idea with a shot where three Ratliff sons subtly mimic this pose, hinting at themes of ignorance, denial, and willful blindness. The show dares to ask: Are these characters turning a blind eye to their own impending karma?

The Monkey Mind: A White Lotus State of Being

Another Buddhist concept—the monkey mind—describes the restless, untamed nature of human thought. The mind jumps chaotically from one worry to the next, like a monkey swinging through trees, making clarity and peace almost impossible. Sound familiar? Every White Lotus season is essentially a showcase of rich people battling their inner monkey minds, spiraling deeper into paranoia, self-destruction, and existential dread. And now, with the jungle setting closing in, it’s as if the chaos is no longer just in their heads—it’s engulfing them completely.

Thailand, Monkeys, and Ancient Tales of Karma

To add some historical spice, let’s talk about Madhu Purnima, a Buddhist festival celebrating a monkey who once gifted honey to the Buddha. According to legend, the monkey was so overjoyed when Buddha accepted the offering that it leapt from tree to tree… and tragically fell to its death. However, due to its selfless act, the monkey was immediately reborn in a divine realm.

Now, apply this to The White Lotus: Is karma real in this world? Are these characters fated to suffer for their selfishness, or will some transcend their past sins? The show’s recurring themes suggest that for every character who finds enlightenment, another falls from the "tree".

Hidden Monkey Symbolism in Episode 1

For those of us obsessed with the show’s visual clues, let’s break down some hidden monkey motifs from the first episode of Season 3.

The opening shot? A monkey perched on a branch, staring right at us, as if warning us of the chaos to come….

The character Mook (played by Lalisa Manoban ) is wearing a shirt with a monkey on it—casual wardrobe choice, or another nudge toward the season’s deeper themes?

And in the opening credits, the iconic monkey painting returns. This time, it depicts two monkeys smoking pot. But here’s the kicker—guess whose name appears right next to it? Parker Posey , who plays Victoria Ratliff. Coincidence? Or does this suggest her character is about to unleash some serious monkey madness…

Let me know what are your thoughts in the coments.

I would love to hear your theories… ¿Have you notice anything similar that I didn´t mention? Pls let me know!