Jin Dynasty
/dʒɪn ˈdɪnəsti/noun
A name used for several Chinese ruling houses, especially the Western and Eastern Jin (265–420 CE) and the Jurchen Jin (1115–1234).
Did you know?The Jurchen Jin is often called the “Golden Dynasty” because its name used 金, the Chinese character for metal or gold, whereas the earlier Western and Eastern Jin used 晋.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dyeu-
“To shine or be bright; this ancient root ultimately contributed to words connected with sky and divinity, but it is not the source of Chinese Jin.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
dýnamis (δύναμις)
“Power, capability, or might; the root of the dynasty-related word family.”
Late Greek
Greek
dynasteía (δυναστεία)
“Rule, dominion, or a ruling power.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
dynastia
“A ruling family or succession of rulers.”
15th Century
English
dynasty
“A succession of rulers from the same family or line.”
265–420 CE
Chinese
Jìn (晋)
“The name of the Western and Eastern Jin ruling houses; 晋 was a historical state name in northern China.”
1115–1234 CE
Chinese
Jīn (金)
“The Jurchen ruling house known as Jin; 金 literally means metal or gold, producing the traditional translation “Golden Dynasty.””