Garuda

Garuda is the mighty mythical bird, part eagle and part human, who serves as the mount of Wisnu. In Balinese religion and art he stands for loyalty, strength and freedom, and he is among the most widely recognized figures on the island. He also appears on Indonesia's national emblem, the Garuda Pancasila, so his image links Balinese tradition with the wider nation.

His story comes from the Adiparwa, the first book of the Mahabharata. Garuda's mother had been enslaved, and to free her he had to bring back amerta, the elixir of immortality, from the gods. He succeeded through great courage, and in return for his loyalty Wisnu chose him as his vehicle. The tale is well known in Bali and is told in carvings, paintings and performances, a story of a son's devotion.

Garuda is everywhere in Balinese art, from painted wood carvings in craft villages to reliefs on temples and cremation towers. The most monumental image is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue on the Bukit Peninsula, by Balinese sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta, which shows Wisnu riding Garuda and ranks among the tallest statues in the world. In smaller form, a Garuda carving often guards the entrance to homes and hotels.