jin

Jin is a transliteration that can refer to several distinct topics across different cultures and languages. The most common uses are as a transliteration of the jinn (the supernatural beings in Middle Eastern and Islamic mythology) and as a romanization of Chinese names and dynasties.

Jinn: In Islamic cosmology, jinn are beings created from smokeless fire who possess free will and live in a world parallel to humans. They are neither divine nor human and are mentioned in the Quran and Hadith; they may be benevolent, malevolent, or neutral. They can interact with humans, and accounts of possession, magic, and spirits appear in folklore and literature throughout the Muslim world.

Chinese uses: Jin is a common Chinese surname written with the character 金, meaning “gold” or “metal.” It is distinct from Jin written as 晋, which is linked to ancient Jin states and dynasties. The latter name is associated with two historical Chinese dynasties, the Western Jin (266–316) and Eastern Jin (317–420). A separate dynasty known as Jin in northern China was founded by the Jurchen and ruled from 1115 to 1234, typically written with the character 金 in modern references.

Other uses: Jin also appears as a given name and surname in Korea and other East Asian contexts, and as a romanization in various languages. In modern media and popular culture, individuals and fictional characters named Jin may reflect these linguistic origins.