A baharia is a jnoun (a pre-islamic ) of the sea. They live in opulent underwater palaces built from precious gems. When they grow tired of palace life, they will come to the surface to tease mariners. Usually they're described as beautiful with pale skin and dark black hair, and with a full upper body of a human that is typical of mermen and mermaids—unlike the depiction here. From Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of Things Existing,