Matching 50 mythical creatures with each of the 50 states

Rhode Island: Jinn

Did you know that Rhode Island is known for fine jewelry and silverware? (I definitely didn’t.) Once I learned this fact, I knew that the state needed a creature to represent it that actually dealt in treasures. So it just made sense to turn to the treasure guardians that are so prolific in folklore. And which guardian felt like the perfect representative of Rhode Island? Well, in this case, it was the Jinn.

While there is certainly any number of stories about Jinn (and yes there are other spellings for this magical creature, including Djinn) the thing that really stuck out for me is the fact that they are not just a creature who grants wishes and gives people a chance at a fortune. Instead, they are guardians of treasure. This means that if you want to get your hands on some treasure, then you better be prepared to prove your worth.

And with the state of Rhode Island being the home of fine jewelry and silverware, then they need a treasure guardian at their back. So the Jinn it is and perhaps a few wishes will be granted and fortunes handed out, but it is all about guarding the wealth of the state.

There are some fascinating treasure guardians out there in the world, but the Jinn might just be the ultimate guardian of the gold (and jewels).