Jinn (Arabic: جِنّ), also romanized as djinn or anglicized as genies, are invisible creatures in early pre-Islamic Arabia and later in Islamic culture and beliefs. Like humans, they are accountable for their deeds and can be either believers (Mu'minun) or unbelievers (kuffar), depending on whether they accept God's guidance.
Djinn are beings made of smokeless fire. Although they exist to some extent in different religions, they are most relevant to Islam.
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all hold that people were created from dirt or clay. These three religions all acknowledge the existence of angels, another kind of being. One common misunderstanding about angels is that they are deceased humans. Angels, in fact, have never been people. Light was used to make them rather than clay. The third category of beings in Islam are called djinn, and they are composed of smokeless fire. The word "genie" is derived from "djinn," but they are more complex than they seem in well-known myths like Aladdin.
Since jinn are neither innately evil nor innately good, Islam acknowledged spirits from other religions and could adapt them during its expansion. Jinn are not a strictly Islamic concept; they may represent several pagan beliefs integrated into Islam. Islam places jinn and humans on the same plane in relation to God, both being subject to God's judgement and an afterlife. The Quran condemns the pre-Islamic Arabian practice of worshipping or seeking protection from them.
Although usually invisible, jinn are supposed to be composed of thin and subtle bodies , and can change at will. They favor a snake form, but can also choose to appear as scorpions, lizards, or humans. They may even engage in sexual affairs with humans and produce offspring. If they are injured by someone, they usually seek revenge or possess the assailant's body, requiring exorcism. Jinn rarely meddle in human affairs, preferring to live with their own kind in tribes similar to those of pre-Islamic Arabia.
Individual jinn appear on charms and talismans. They are called upon for protection or magical aid, often under the leadership of a king. Many people who believe in jinn wear amulets to protect themselves against the assaults of the jinn, sent out by sorcerers and witches. A commonly held belief is that jinn cannot hurt someone who wears something with the name of God written on it. Muslims in the diaspora increasingly disapprove of folkloric jinn-beliefs common in the past.
Most of the time, jinn are believed not to interfere with humans and live mostly in desolate or abandoned places.
I first saw Francesca at last year's Venice Carnevale, but we did not communicate back then because both of us were busy rushing through our photo shoots. The Venice Carnevale is often a very busy time for me, especially at the last week when everyone wants a photo session. Depending on the complexity of the costumes and logistics, photo shoots can take anywhere from a short 10 minutes to a whooping 7 hours. So this year, I contacted Francesca to see if she would like to do her wonderful Djinn costume again. Francesca is considered very new at the Venice Carnevale, I think this is only her second Carnevale, but her costumes, make-up and poses easily rival any seasoned costumer.
Sometimes, you come across a truly perfect costume…exceptionally beautiful, not over the top and very mobile ( avery important aspect because Venice gets terribly busy during Carnevale)…the best part is she’s truly magical…leaving gold dust behind everywhere she steps foot on…
The Venice Carnevale is not solely about masks. Local Italians prefer historical costumes or painted faces. During Carnevale, the whole Venice becomes a real life theatrical stage, and many of these historical costumes carry deep perspectives...
And as usual, the portraits are just done on the busy streets of Venice and using natural lighting only...
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