The Three Wise Monkeys Decor

The symbolic wisdom of these monkeys predates its physical representation. It originated in China, and then found its allegory in Japan where it transcended the centuries.
The first expression of this prescription is said to come from the Chinese sage Confucius (551-479 BC) or one of his disciples: “Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.” (The Analects, Book XII).
This ancient oriental precept is said to have found its animal personification in Japan thanks to the phonetic identity of saru (猿) which means monkey but which is pronounced zarou, and indicates a negative form: thus the three monkeys are called Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru (Miza, Kika and Iwa are abbreviations for seeing, hearing and speaking) and are associated with the negative commands they represent: do not see, do not hear and do not speak.
These three wise chaps tell a story about being mindful, both about what we take in from the world and about what we put out into the world. Put another way, they remind us to  choose to see, hear and speak joy, That feels good.