Statue of Garuda in the British Museum

A few weeks ago I did something I haven’t done for a while and had a wander around the British Museum. I rather enjoyed coming across this serious dude.

Apparently, he is the Garuda, a legendary bird-like being. In Hindu mythology he is associated with the god Vishnu acting as a vehicle or mount, and symbolises royal power and martial prowess. In Buddhist mythology the Garuda are a enormous intelligent birds that are enemies of the snake spirits called Nagas. This statue is from Tibet, where it seems Garudas aren’t beings you’d want to mess with.