Aladdin

Aladdin is a fictional character associated with The Arabian Nights, or One Thousand and One Nights. The tale commonly titled Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is one of the most familiar stories in the collection, though its origins are not clearly documented. Most scholars consider the Aladdin story to have been added to the corpus by the 18th‑century French translator Antoine Galland, drawing on sources from the Near East or beyond. The narrative has circulated widely in many languages and has inspired numerous adaptations.

In the story, a poor young man named Aladdin is recruited by a sorcerer who claims to be his uncle. The sorcerer sends him to retrieve a magical lamp from a cave of many wonders. Inside, Aladdin discovers the lamp and a powerful genie who grants wishes when the lamp is rubbed. With the genie's help, Aladdin rises from poverty to wealth, wins the hand of the Sultan’s daughter, and becomes a prince. The sorcerer plots to seize the lamp, but Aladdin outwits him, keeping the lamp and the palace safe. A later variant introduces a ring genie who aids Aladdin after the loss of the lamp. The story emphasizes cleverness, luck, and the dangers and responsibilities of wielding magical power.

Aladdin's tale has had a large cultural impact, most prominently through Disney's 1992 animated film, which reimagined the character and introduced new elements and characters. The story has since been adapted into films, stage productions, and numerous retellings, contributing to the enduring popularity of the Aladdin name.