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Parī

A ''parī'' or ''peri'' is a supernatural entity originating from Persian tales and distributed into wider Asian folklore. The ''parī''s are often described as winged creatures of immense beauty who are structured in societies similar to that of humans. Unlike jinn, the ''parī''s usually feature in tales involving supernatural elements.

Over time, the depiction of ''parī''s was subject to change and reconsideration. In early Persian beliefs, the ''parī''s were probably a class of evil spirits and only later received a positive reception. In the Islamic period, the ''parī'' already developed into morally complex beings with a generally positive connotation of immense beauty, and late in the tenth century, were integrated into the Arab houri-tale tradition. They are often contrasted by their nemesis the ugly ''dīv''s.

Despite their beauty, the ''parī''s are also feared because they are said to abduct people and take them to their home-world, Parīstān, or punish people for social transgressions. Provided by Wikipedia