1.
spirit, elemental spirit
A supernatural being or spirit, especially those associated with nature or the elements. Used in religious, mythological, and fantasy contexts.
2.
spirit of the dead (Obon context)
The soul or spirit of a deceased person, particularly as honored during the Obon festival. In this sense, also read しょうりょう.
Pronunciation
The reading changes depending on context. As せいれい, it refers to nature spirits or elemental spirits. As しょうりょう, it refers to the spirits of the dead, particularly in Buddhist and Obon contexts.
Usage
In modern usage, せいれい is common in fantasy fiction, games, and discussions of animism or mythology. The しょうりょう reading appears mainly in Obon-related vocabulary.