Half-man and half-
eagle, Garuda serves in
Hinduism as the vehicle of the god
Vishnu, and in
Tibetan
Buddhism as
destroyer of the
nagas or evil-doers. Devotees of Vishnu use images of Garuda, the enemy of
snakes, as their emblem. The ferocity of Garuda as portrayed in
Indian and
Tibetan art is intended to serve as a warning of
retribution for the enemies of the
natural order.
( back to hybrid creatures...)