Garuda is an immortal bird-god, beloved by Hindus and Buddhists alike. This golden character is so mighty, he has been known to exterminate entire oceans full of snakes and to defeat entire armies of gods in one battle. Fortunately, he fights on the side of the righteous—most of the time!
With nicknames like “king of the birds” and “he who has beautiful feathers,” Garuda is bound to be a glorious sight.
According to Hindu tradition, he has the torso and arms of a strong man with golden skin. Red wings with long, glimmering feathers spread from behind his back and stretch up to a mile wide. Beneath the knee, his legs are covered with golden scales that lead down to eagle’s feet with talons like curved daggers. His face is white and can be completely human, human with a beak, or completely eagle. A traditional Hindu crown with several golden tiers sits on top of his head, and he wears snakes that he has defeated in battle as jewelry. Altogether, he is large enough to block out the sun when he flies by it. The “supreme god” Vishnu can often be seen riding on his back.
In Hindu art, Garuda has evolved over centuries to look more human. In Nepal, he is often depicted as a human with wings. In the rest of Asia, he has maintained his bird’s head, beak, and talons. Indonesia’s version of Garudas is especially colorful and is depicted with tusks.
In Bhuddist art, the god Garuda has been transformed into a race of noble birds, called “garudas.” These garudas are the least human of all. Their bodies are covered in feathers, and their wings seem to be attached to their arms, almost like a bat. Only their round bellies and human hands suggest their human-lineage.