| Peri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Naming | |||
| Binomen | N/A | ||
| Original | پری | ||
| Romanization | Pari | ||
| Morphology | |||
| Body type | Humanoid | ||
| Intelligence | |||
| Sentience | Sentient | ||
| Sapience | Sapient | ||
| Ecology | |||
| Place of origin | Persia | ||
| Related species | Fairy, Jinni | ||
| Behind the Scenes | |||
| Universe | Real | ||
A Peri is a humanoid fairy-like creature originating from Persian mythology, and later incorporated into the folklore of the Islamic world at large. These feminine beings are well-known for their exquisite beauty.
Peris were usually mischievous in earlier legends, which typically held them responsible for things such as crop failures and drought. With the advent of Islam, however, they eventually became benevolent; representing the "good" end of the spectrum of supernatural beings, as opposed to the more neutral Jinn and the purely malevolent Shayṭān, or Demons. Traditional accounts speak of an ongoing feud between the Peris, who act as protectors of nature, and the evil chaotic Divs, who imprison them in iron cages.
Appearances in popular culture notably include Thomas Moore's poem Paradise and the Peri, and Paul Dukas' 1912 ballet La Péri. In some media, the word "peri" can be and has been used as merely a synonym for "fairy". For instance, the celebrated Gilbert and Sullivan play Iolanthe; or, The Peer and the Peri, is actually about fairies.