Um Bariq is one of the most mysterious characters in the world of spirits that existed in folk tales. She is known as the spirit or ghost of an extraordinarily beautiful woman. Yet, her story carries with it a lot of awe and fear. Um Bariq’s appearance is characterized by mystery. It is said that she appears at night in isolated places.
People told stories about her using her beauty to attract men who travel alone or who wander at night. She sees them from afar and seduces them with her charming looks, but when they approach her, her true face is revealed to them, which is said to be indescribably terrifying.
The spirit of Um Bariq is not just like any other ghost; she has abilities. She makes her victims unable to control themselves. She, moreover, makes them unwillingly follow her until she leads them to their unknown fate.
Some stories say that Um Bariq was once a beautiful woman in her previous life, but she suffered greatly from betrayal or injustice which made her soul unable to find peace after her death. Therefore, she remains wandering at night, taking revenge on every man who encounters her. Although some say that she does not harm those who see her, just encountering her is considered a bad omen.
What distinguishes the stories about this spirit is that they are embodied as a warning against being quickly attracted to outside beauty, which may conceal deeper, uglier truths.
There are different accounts of what happens to those who see Um Bariq. People say that whoever encounters her goes mad or loses the ability to return to their homes, as a result of her extreme beauty. Some stories say that those who survive her encounter learn a great lesson in life but remain haunted and obsessed with her beauty.