Additionally, based on the teachings of ancestor and nature worship, since it was believed that a life ended in bitter disappointment would turn into a wrathful spirit which might bring evils to this world, history shows that a mound was erected as an object to be honored in place of a person's soul (divine spirit) for the repose of his or her spirit.
また祖霊信仰や自然崇拝から、無念を伴って亡くなった生命は荒御魂になり、禍をもたらすこともあると考えていたので、その御霊代（みたましろ・依り代）として塚を建立し慰霊して来た歴史がある。