Garuda - Definition and Overview

Garuda as national symbol of Indonesia

Garuda as national symbol of Thailand

Garuda (also called Krut, Thailand: Pha Krut), the eagle, is a lesser Hindu and Buddhist god, the mount (vahanam) of Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism. Garuda is depicted as having a golden body, white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak and wings but a man's body. He is ancient and huge, and can block out the sun.

Garuda is the Malay form of the Phoenix. The Japanese also know the Garuda, which they call the Karura.

Thailand and Indonesia have the Garuda as their national symbols; the Indonesian national airline is Garuda Indonesia. The Garuda is also known in Thailand as Pha Krut.

• Garuda is also a server name on the popular MMORPG of Final Fantasy XI.
• Garuda are a fictional race of avians appearing in Perdido Street Station by China Miéville.