章 86: Garuda

The name of Garuda is very famous, it is part of the state insignia of India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia. The Indonesian official coat of arms is centered on the Garuda.

All around the Bali temples, and many other places around the world, Garuda statues or paintings can be found. Garuda is a legendary bird or bird-like creature in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythology. The mount of God.

Garuda is described as the king of birds. He is shown either in the form of a giant bird with partially opened wings or a form of a man with wings and some bird features. Garuda is generally a protector with the power to swiftly go anywhere, ever watchful and an enemy of the serpent.

But the scholars never found a real garuda bird, some believed it to be created based on the real bird species called the Golden Eagle or one of the hawk or condor species.