In Jainism, Tirthankars are one important type of spiritual being – but there are many other key categories of souls and religious figures. Here are the main ones in very simple words:

1. Tirthankar (तीर्थंकर)

- A special type of Arihant who starts or re-organizes the Jain Sangh (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen). - There are 24 Tirthankars in each half-time-cycle (we follow the 24 of the current avasarpini).

1. Arihant (अरिहंत)

- A living soul who has destroyed the four “ghāti” karmas and attained Keval‑jñān (infinite knowledge). - All Tirthankars are Arihants, but not all Arihants are Tirthankars.

1. Kevali (केवली)

- Another name for an Arihant who has Keval‑jñān (perfect knowledge). - Still has a physical body, so is not yet a Siddha.

1. Siddha (सिद्ध)

- A soul who has completely destroyed all karmas. - Lives forever at the top of the universe in Siddha‑shilā. - No body, no birth, no death, only pure knowledge, faith and bliss.

1. Ganadhar (गणधर)

- The chief disciples of a Tirthankar. - They are Kevalī’s main listeners and organizers of the teachings, and they compose the early scriptures.

1. Acharya (आचार्य)

- The head of the group of monks and nuns. - Responsible for discipline, code of conduct, and guiding the sangh.

1. Upadhyaya (उपाध्याय)

- A monk or nun who mainly works as a teacher of scriptures and spiritual study.

1. Sadhu / Sadhvi (साधु / साध्वी)

- Jain monks and nuns who take the great vows (Mahāvrat) and leave household life. - They follow very strict rules of non‑violence, non‑possession, etc.

1. Shravak / Shravika (श्रावक / श्राविका)

- Jain laymen and laywomen. - They live family life, follow smaller vows (Anuvrat), and support monks, nuns and temples.

1. Deva / Devi (देव / देवी) – heavenly beings

- Souls born in heavenly regions due to good karma. - They are not liberated, still in the cycle of birth and death, but have more pleasure and power than humans.

All these together form the Jain Sangh and spiritual hierarchy – from ordinary laypeople up to fully liberated Siddhas.

You can read more basic Jain concepts here