Prasat Thom: Garuda
Sandstone
Prasat Thom: Garuda
CAMBODIA, Preah Vihear, Koh Ker
This sculpture was originally located in front of the entrance to Prasat Thom, a temple built under the Khmer King Jayavarman IV (reigned circa 928–942) when he was developing the ancient city of Lingapua as his capital.
The garuda bird is counted as one of the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors in the Buddhist pantheon. The hybrid depicted here has a stout body and arms with wings sprouting from the back. Bulging eyes paired with a large beak appear in what is otherwise a human face set on a thick neck. The jewelry worn by the garuda includes an ornamented crown, heavy earrings, a necklace, armlets, and bracelets. The feathered legs and feet are those of a raptor, over which is a triangular garment shaped like the hind quarters of a bird.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture N-Sr, page 836.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture N-Sr},
pages = 836,
title = {{Prasat Thom: Garuda}},
volume = 12,
year = {2016}}