noun
Refers to the spiritual essence of a person, often in religious, philosophical, or supernatural contexts. Can be used for both living and deceased beings.
彼は霊魂の存在を信じている。
He believes in the existence of the soul.
その儀式は死者の霊魂を慰めるために行われる。
The ritual is performed to console the spirits of the dead.
Compound of 霊 (rei, 'spirit') and 魂 (kon, 'soul'). Both kanji carry similar meanings, and the combination reinforces the abstract concept of the spiritual essence. The reading is on'yomi.