Would You Make A Wish? Djinn on Immortal Monday

Want to rub the magic lamp? Pop the cork on the genie’s bottle? Your wish is my command. *Blink* Five words you’d like to hear? But how many times have you heard, be careful what you wish for? It’s true. When we wish for something we often forget to consider the full consequences. This is the loophole djinn (the genie) look for when dealing with the one controlling their wishes.

When Immortal Monday took on the request to look closer at the djinn, I believe it was wistful wonder and eye candy that was the intended target. We’ll do our best to deliver. But traditionally, djinn have not been an extremely friendly species, so what we see here may not be pretty.

“Charmed” quarky Djinn
image via charmedlegacy.wikia

In the western world djinn are often referred to as genies (jinn, jinni, genie, and djinn). This may be a term you are more familiar with. Today, when you hear that word, you may think of the big blue guy from the famous Disney movie, Aladdin.  Or possibly Barbara Eden’s rendition in I Dream Of Jeannie.  Glimpses at sexy or cute djinn are rare. Media hasn’t grabbed hold of them and run with the idea like they have vampires and werewolves – at least, not yet. You’re more likely to come across one by picking up a steamy romance. Although, occasionally one will pop up in the paranormal world of television in shows such as Charmed.

The blue guy was cute and fun, but an unlikely representative of the djinn as a whole. They may vary in look to some degree, but I can tell you that both male and female, alike, take on a human form with the ability to transform into an animal. When they submit themselves to their weaker animal forms they’re vulnerable and can be killed. They’re not immortal.

Finding their origins in Muslim teachings, the djinn, thought of as spirits, are believed to have gotten their beginning in the smokeless fire as the same time man came into being. The first djinn, refusing to rejoice and bow to Adam, was doomed to walk a dark and desolate path from that day forth.  Invisible to man, except when they chose otherwise, they coexist in a parallel universe. Rather appropriate since the Arabic root of the word jinn means “hidden.”

It’s an old Muslim belief that everyone born is assigned a djinn at birth, one who whispers in your ear for the rest of your days, trying to tempt you into evil doings. Like the devil on your shoulder.

Djinn are not self-serving demons with sites only for the evil side of things. On the contrary, they are very prone to strong emotions of lust, revenge, anger,  sadness, etc. Could love fit in there? It’s up to the djinn if they’ll be evil, good or benevolent. Just like they can choose their own course in worship. They’re spirits of free will.

So, where do the wishes come in? Great question. The theory is that over time magicians  trapped some of the most powerful djinn to objects, such as the traditional genie’s lamp, in order to contain them and limit their destruction.  For the release from their entrapment the genie, or djinni, is said to grant the holder of the lamp three wishes. It is also said that the great King Solomon entrapped misbehaving djinn in lead-stopper bottles before throwing them out to sea.

Now you can see where you may want to proceed with caution the next time you find a genie or djinn trapped in a lamp or bottle. They were put there for a reason – a not-so-nice one. They will trick you the first chance they get. They live to turn things around on the humans. They do not consider you their kindred or friends.

What do you think – with the explosion of vampires and werewolves, will the djinn soon be making a splash on the scene? With their manipulative ways, would you still want to chance dealing with one to get your three wishes?

* Djinn is the plural form (many), whereas Djinni is singular, meaning one.

Alright… I promised to try and bring on some eye candy. When looking for the djinn a few faces popped up. Tell me ladies (and men), which would you prefer to materialize out of your lamp?

Genie/Djinn #1
Genie/Djinn #2
Genie/Djinn #3

And for those of a different persuasion…

Phoebe as a genie
Genie #4

 

~oOo~

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35 thoughts on “Would You Make A Wish? Djinn on Immortal Monday”

  1. Louise BehielLouise Behiel

    interesting post, as always, Debra. The big blue genie is my latest contact with these beings – my granddaughters love this movie. but I’ll take #1 above, please Debra. pretty please???

    • August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin

      Aw, you’d make such a sweet couple! I’m gonna rub my genie and wish for that visit. 😉

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I would love to grant you genie #1 Louise. But it looks like you might have a fight on your hands. Hmm. Several are wishing for that particular Djinn. He is yummy. 🙂 Maybe we can get the big blue guy to work on our behalf to make that happen.

  2. Fabio BuenoFabio Bueno

    I’d like to see Barbara Eden or Robin Williams 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      They are classic, aren’t they? I grew up watching Barbara Eden. Love her! I can’t think of anything I don’t like Robin Williams in.

  3. Coleen PatrickColeen Patrick

    Ditto for loving Robin Williams as the blue genie! 🙂
    Great post Debra.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you, Coleen. The big blue guy is a hoot! Plus it doesn’t look like Disney gave him a wicked side. That’s the added bonus that comes with genies Disney style.

  4. August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin

    I’m hoping for Chris Rock. Robin Williams would be fun, too—maybe in his Mork & Mindy getup. 😉

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Mork getup! LOL. That would be too funny. And Chris Rock? Now that would be a riot! You sure do know how to pick them.:D

  5. mj monaghanmj monaghan

    Alyssa isn’t so bad as a genie. Barbara Eden is classic, though.

    I’ve only let one genie out of the bottle. And I still have two wishes left. The first one was MLB (my wife). 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      You are right there, Barbara is a classic. I should have added her to the poll.

      Sounds like you got the best genie to be found. I bet she hasn’t limited your wishes either. 😉

  6. Jennette Marie PowellJennette Marie Powell

    I’d have a tough time choosing befween djinn 1, 2 and 3! But I find it surprising that there aren’t more djinn romances. Interesting legend about each of us having a djinn! Plenty of story material there. 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      There certainly is plenty of material. I’ve been hearing the word djinn come up a lot recently in various writers’ circles, so who knows, it may be the next big thing. Those dark haired djinn are hard to choose from. Funny that I didn’t get any blond beauties in my search. I wonder why that is?

  7. Marcy KennedyMarcy Kennedy

    This made me think about the genie in Once Upon A Time, where he told the king that every wish comes with a price/cost (I can’t remember exactly how he phrased it). The king wished for his freedom and the genie ended up killing him. Then the genie wished to be with the Queen forever and ended up as her mirror on the wall. You really do need to be careful what you wish for 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      You know, I haven’t seen Once Upon A Time. But I’ve heard so much about it, sounds like something I should check out on Netflix at some point. What you describe sounds fitting for a proper djinn. Always turning the wish around on the wisher. Be careful.

  8. EmmaEmma

    L.J. Smith’s trilogy The Forbidden Game mentions the Djinn, sometimes known as aljunnu and the dark and handsome bad guy in those books is called Julian, a play on those words.
    Nice post, Debra.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I can always rely on you to know the books! 🙂 Thank you Emma, I like that play on words.

  9. Sheila SeabrookSheila Seabrook

    The show Supernatural featured a djinn in at least one episode. It was very enlightening to understand the background of this entity. Thanks for the great post, Debra!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      You’re right Sheila! I had forgotten about that. That was two years ago. The season opener, I believe. When Dean was leading a normal life, believing Sam trapped in Hell. Good one. Thanks! “Exile On Main St.” aired Sept. 2010.

  10. Tameri EthertonTameri Etherton

    Looks like most of us are crushing on Djinni #1! He’s way dreamy. Haha, I didn’t even make the rhyme on purpose.

    I can honestly say I never really thought beyond Robin Williams when thinking of genies. They are kind of fascinating creatures. I love the idea that we’re all born with a Djinni who tries to get us into trouble. If only I’d known that as a kid ~ I could’ve blamed so much on my Djinni!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Hehehe. You’re just good that way. I was crushing on #1 when I posted the pictures as well.

      The little angel and devil is exactly what I was thinking of when I read up on the evil djinn whispering in our ear. They truly would make a great excuse. That’s why I’m not telling my kids about it. LOL.

  11. Serena Dracis, AuthorSerena Dracis, Author

    Djinni #1 all the way! Eye candy is always appreciated, but I love the insights into this particular race of supernaturals. From time to time I toy with the idea of putting them into my current series. Still might, heck that’s why it’s a WIP. 😉

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      That’s right, that’s what WIP means. That’s what Immortal Mondays are meant to do, help everyone with Immortals for current and future project. Or maybe just because. Good luck with your project.

  12. Lynn KelleyLynn Kelley

    Fascinating post, Debra. I learned a lot in this. Hmm, it wouldn’t surprise me if genies become the next popular sexy paranormals, and we’ll have to give you credit for making it happen, thanks to this post and the eye candy!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I don’t know if I deserve any credit. I might be riding on the skirt tails. But you know I am always happy to provide the eye candy. Thank you, Lynn.

  13. Reetta RaitanenReetta Raitanen

    Djinn #1 for me please. I loved learning more about the genies. It’s a fascinating idea that we all have a djinn tempting us to do bad things. Kind of like a little devil and angel on our shoulder. Having djinns featured more in paranormal romances would be lovely. I wouldn’t mind Arabian Nights settings either.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I always found the Arabian Nights setting rather romantic. It would be fun to hang in that kind of setting for a night or two, wouldn’t it? Djinn #1 is definitely dreamy. He is raking in the votes. I think all you fabulous writers need to start writing those Djinn paranormal romances. They are bound to be well received.

  14. Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

    I had a hard time choosing between 1 and 2, but…since I had to choose…wound up going with the second one. There was (for me) just something I liked a LITTLE more.

    Great information to know about the Djinn. When I find mine, I’ll have to think very carefully about my first two wishes. The third will be no problem. After reading this, that one would always be, “I wish for you to get back into your bottle.” That way, every time I let him out, I’d have three more wishes…right? 🙂

    Thanks for the eye candy and interesting info, Debra. Loved it! 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      There is something in the look of #2 eyes. He is oozing with sexual appeal.

      Maybe your first wish should be something along the lines of no trickery from said genie. 😀 A cover your butt type of wish. It’s my understanding that if you wish for more wishes all wishes are void. Wishing him back in his bottle in the hopes of getting more wishes might be taken in the same manner.

      Happy to deliver the eye candy.

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