Garuda - Garuḍa - गरुड
King of all birds and slayer of serpents. His wings carry him and anyone on his back swiftly anywhere they need to go, and under his protection others thrive. He is able to command the stars and heavens with the flaps of his wings and is sometimes so large he blocks the Sun itself. In Hinduism he is the younger brother of the charioteer of the Sun named Aruna, and he is the mount of the god Vishnu. He is the frequent enemy of all snakes as well as the naga snake people which is attributed to the lore of his mother Vinata, but he is also their half-brother. Garuda can also refer to a group of beings rather than singular, bird people who are still enemies of snakes, and in Buddhism they are considered one of the Eight Legions (अष्टसेना) of species who protect dharma, often shown seated or listening to the Buddha and having their own societies. They can be split into multiple i.e. White Garuda and Red Garuda to exemplify specific traits like wrath, protection, and power. Garuda worship is present in almost all East Asian countries with his image adorning temples, gilded statues, and even as the national symbol of Thailand.
Pantheon: Hinduism, Buddhism, and several East Asian religions.
Domain or Function: King of birds and protector against evils and snakes, represents kingly power and the sky.
Alternate Names: Garuḷa, Garuḷā, in Japan Karura (迦楼羅), in Buddhism Suparṇa (good winged), in China Jiālóuluó (迦楼羅), in Cambodian Krud (គ្រុឌ), and more.
Character Traits: A protector deity who also represents kingly power.
Visual Traits: Usually gold or red in color with the body of a man and the wings and beak of a bird, though he can also appear in animal form as a large bird. Through different countries he can appear differently, though always in bird form, with varying colors between red, gold, white, black, and green-blue. Sometimes carries Vishnu on his back or holds a bottle of amrita.
Symbolism: Amrita, birds, Vishnu.
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