noun
guardian deity of a ship
A protective spirit or deity enshrined on a ship, part of Japanese maritime folk belief. Often associated with safety at sea.
漁師たちは船霊を祀って航海の安全を祈った。
The fishermen enshrined the guardian deity of the ship and prayed for a safe voyage.
Alternate spelling; 魂 means 'soul' or 'spirit'.
Compound of 船 (funa, 'ship') and 霊 (tama, 'spirit'). The reading funadama is a rendaku form. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is deeply rooted in Japanese folk religion.