ᎠᏓᏅᏙ
adanvdo/àtàːn̥to/
The Cherokee word for ghost is ᎠᏓᏅᏙ (adanvdo).
This noun refers to a spirit that appears after death.
Meaning: spirit appearing after death (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
adanvdo (/àtàːn̥to/)
Did you know?
- The concept of ᎠᏓᏅᏙ is part of a much larger metaphysical system in Cherokee culture that distinguishes between several different types of soul or essence.
- While English speakers often use 'ghost' to mean a scary apparition, the Cherokee term ᎠᏓᏅᏙ focuses on the 'enduring essence' or 'continuation' of a person's influence.
- For many Cherokee speakers, the distinction between the seen and unseen worlds is far more fluid than the rigid separation found in Western secular views.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ᎠᏓᏅᏙ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
