divine spirit; spirit of the dead
Refers to a sacred or revered spirit, often of a deity or an ancestor. Can be used in religious or spiritual contexts.
A divine spirit is enshrined at the shrine.
先祖の御影を敬う気持ちを忘れてはいけない。
We must not forget to honor the spirits of our ancestors.
Standard kanji spelling for this term.
Compound of 御 (honorific prefix) and 影 (shadow, spirit). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is conventionally associated with the meaning of a revered spirit.