sacred beast; holy animal
Refers to a mythical or divine animal, often in East Asian folklore, fantasy, or religious contexts. Not an everyday animal.
At this shrine, a sacred beast is enshrined as a guardian deity.
According to legend, the sacred beast lives deep in the forest.
Compound of 霊 (rei, 'spirit, soul') and 獣 (jū, 'beast, animal'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is conventionally used for mythical or spiritual animals in Japanese folklore and fantasy.