Garuda and Makara in Tibetan Art: Iconography, Symbolism, and Sacred Meaning

In the deep realm of Tibetan Buddhist art, every creature, gesture, and color carries layers of spiritual significance, a visual language of awakening. Among its most appealing characters are Garuda, the celestial bird of the skies, and Makara, the mythological aquatic protector, who are designed for temple doorways and thrones. Though both are protectors in Buddhist iconography, their forms and meanings represent opposing yet complementary forces: Garuda represents the freedom of wisdom and transcendence, flying beyond ignorance and illusion, whereas Makara represents the depth and protection of the subconscious, guarding the thresholds of spiritual knowledge. By researching the iconographic differences and symbolic functions of Tibetan thangkas and sculptures, we can see how artists employed myth to depict the endless dance of liberation and restriction, as well as the interplay between the sky and sea, and the interconnection between spirit and matter.

Garuda as the ‘Devourer’: Symbolism of Power, Speed, and Liberation

The Garuda (Tib. khyung, mkha' lding) is a mythological deity regarded as "the Devourer" in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions as the great Lord of Birds. In the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, Garuda (khyung) is revered as a powerful semi-divine creature and the ruler of all bird beings. In Buddhist cosmology, he belongs to the eight classes of Aṣṭagatyaḥ, or non-human heavenly creatures. In Hindu mythology, he is known as the holy bird and the sacred mount (vāhana) of Lord Vishnu. Garuda is a giant eagle-like god, half-bird, half-divine, who represents speed, martial power, and unshakable devotion. He is majestic and awe-inspiring. His strong hatred for serpents (Nāgas) represents his unending victory over evil, deceit, and ignorance. His sharp beak, spacious wings, and powerful claws symbolize heavenly might and alertness, and his hands in prayer (añjali mudrā) represent humility, faith, and the perfect harmony of might and compassion.

Garuda has always been the sworn enemy of snakes or nagas, and this archetypal enmity between birds of prey and serpents is common to many mythological traditions. Originally, the Indian Garuda was represented as a great eagle-like bird, and given such names as Suparna (beautiful wings), Garutman (solar bird), Sarparati (enemy of serpents), and Khageshvara or Pakshiraj (lord of birds). 

The Tale of Garuda: The Celestial Devourer and Lord of the Skies

According to the ancient Hindu Purāṇas, the Garuda was born to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Vinata. After a five-hundred-year incubation period, Garuda emerged fully developed, dazzling, and mighty. The moment he was born was nothing short of cosmic awe: his massive bulk filled the skies, the beat of his gigantic wings rocked the ground, and the brilliance of his golden form shone so brightly that even the gods mistaken him for Agni, the fire goddess. This celestial appearance not only heralded the birth of the bird king but also the beginning of one of Hindu mythology's most iconic symbols of power, devotion, and divine service.

The story continues a fight between Vinata and her sister Kadru, the mother of the snake race (Nāgas). The sisters disagreed about the hue of the heavenly horse created at the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, a divine event where gods and demons collaborated to get the nectar of immortality (amṛta). Kadru used artful deception to enslave Vinata and keep her hostage in the snake world. To save his mother, Garuda waged battle in the skies themselves. With unmatched courage, he invaded Indra's celestial dwelling and snatched the sacred amṛta, demanding it as payment for his mother's release. As he carried the nectar in his beak, a few drips dropped on blades of kuśha grass. When the serpents licked it, the sharp edges cut their tongues, giving origin to their unique forked look.

The gods fought courageously to recapture the stolen nectar, but Garuda's might proved indestructible; even Indra's thunderbolt (vajra) crumbled when it struck his body. Only Vishnu, the Preserver, could quiet the huge bird. Vishnu rewarded Garuda with immortality and a heavenly horse (vāhana) for his bravery and devotion. Bound by loyalty and love, Garuda became Vishnu's lifelong companion, representing courageous devotion and heavenly service. In later legendary retellings, Krishna, Vishnu's eighth avatar, rides Garuda into combat to defeat the venomous snake Kaliya, reinforcing Garuda's reputation as the eternal conqueror of evil and defender of cosmic balance.

Iconography of Garuda:

Half-Bird, Half-Human Form: Garuda is shown as a creature with a human upper torso, arms, and hands and a bird's head, wings, talons, and legs, resembling those of an eagle.

Global Presence: His iconography is seen in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and Southeast Asia, where he remains an essential figure representing power and protection, particularly against snakes, venom, and poisons.

Powerful Grip: Garuda is said to be so powerful that no snake (Nāga) can withstand his grip or bite, emphasizing his position as a conqueror of evil, especially the serpentine race.

Golden and Fiery Appearance: His wings and eyes are frequently depicted in golden tones, and his tawny hair curls upward. His brows are shown as glowing with fire, expressing his powerful vitality and heavenly presence.

Head Protuberance (Ushnisha): Garuda's head protuberance, known as ushnisha (a symbol of spiritual power), hides the Nāga gem, symbolizing his control over serpents.

Celestial Crown: The protuberance has emblems of a crescent moon, the sun, and the nada (the dissolving point), representing his link to cosmic energies, enlightenment, and the unity of the physical and spiritual worlds.

Emblems of Divinity: His form generally includes elements such as a crown or celestial insignia, emphasizing his divine authority and connection to higher forces such as Vishnu in Hindu mythology and his protective role in Buddhism.

Makara the ‘Aquatic Monster’: The Role of the Sea-Dragon in Guardianship and Transformation

Origins and Divine Associations

In Hindu mythology, the name makara refers to a formidable aquatic monster or sea dragon, sometimes associated with crocodiles or other huge water creatures. It serves as a vehicle of the Vedic water-god Varuna and the river-goddess Ganga, representing the elemental energies of the watery realm.

The makara is associated with Kama‑deva, the deity of love, whose banner is described as makara‑dhvaja (makara‑flag). It also corresponds to the tenth zodiac sign (rāśi) in traditional Indian astrology, similar to Capricorn in the Western system.

Iconography of Makara

Hybrid Creature: The makara is portrayed as a chimera entity that combines aspects from numerous animals to generate a strong and symbolic hybrid. The crocodile's jaws signify power and danger, but an elephant's trunk or nose adds wisdom and majesty.

Animal Features: The makara's ears or tusks resemble those of a wild boar, representing aggression and rage, while its fish-like, scaled body links it with water and aquatic worlds. The tail plume of a peacock provides it with a celestial, even ethereal beauty, emphasizing its connection to the cosmic and legendary realm.

Monkey Eyes: The monkey's eyes represent intelligence and awareness, as well as the capacity to see through illusions and the strength of perception in the cosmic fight between order and chaos.

Feet of a Lion or Panther: The makara is sometimes shown with lion or panther feet, symbolizing its power, fierceness, and sovereignty over both land and water, stressing its position as a defender and guardian against evil forces.

Makara as a Guardian: Symbolism in Architecture, Sacred Gateways and Ceremonial Use

The makara motif is common in temple architecture in South and Southeast Asia. It can be seen in twin makara figures supporting a Kirtimukha ("face of glory") above a doorway, makara-headed water spouts on traditional fountains (particularly in Nepal's Newar architecture), and makara-forms on lintels, balustrades, and stair-ramps in Hindu and Buddhist buildings. 

The Makara head is frequently shown in architecture as a carved stone waterspout at the source of a spring, representing its relationship to water, fertility, and purification. In architecture, pairs of makaras are typically shown flanking nagas, with a Garuda or Kirtimukha face capping the design, particularly in doors and toranas (arched gates) found in sacred structures like temples or altars. These motifs are especially common in Newar art and architecture in Nepal, where they defend thresholds and represent the transition from ordinary to heavenly.

The makara, as guards of gates, also appears in the design of the crossed-vajra, a symbol of immovability and stability. In the two-dimensional mandala, the makara is depicted on the curved prongs of the vajra, representing the sacred boundary between worlds. In the three-dimensional mandala, the vajra serves as the foundation for the entire mandala palace, representing the universe's unshakeable foundation and the divine order that the makara contributes to preserving. Through these architectural and metaphorical representations, the makara represents both protection and the transformational potential of sacred places.

The makara serves a ceremonial and symbolic role beyond ornamentation. As a guardian of thresholds, it wards off bad energies. As a water-monster, it represents the primordial depths and transformational power of water-ritual. In Vajrayāna Buddhism, the makara motif occurs on ceremonial weapons like as axes, vajras, and knives. The blade emerges from the gaping mouth of the makara, symbolizing the victory of knowledge and the channeling of powerful force.

Symbolic Differences Between Garuda and Makara

Here's a table that differentiates Garuda and Makara, emphasizing their iconographic and symbolic differences based on their roles in Buddhist art:

Garuda and Makara: Divine Guardians of the Throne

Click Here to View Our Shakyamuni Buddha on His Majestic Throne Thangka

In the artwork, the Garuda appears above the throne, representing its position as a heavenly guardian as well as a symbol of strength, speed, and liberation. Its position on the throne demonstrates its authority and connection to the celestial realm. Makara figures stand by both sides of the throne, representing protection and stability. The Makara, with its hybrid aquatic form, signifies water's stabilizing and transformational force, which balances Garuda's freedom and transcendence. They embody the harmonic interaction of protection, power, and spiritual development.

Conclusion: The Dynamic Balance of Garuda and Makara

In the rich realm of Buddhist and Hindu imagery, both Garuda and Makara serve important roles, representing great yet opposing forces. Garuda, the heavenly bird, represents liberation, knowledge, and transcendence, as well as victory over ignorance and chaos. His iconography, symbolized by his eagle-like appearance, represents freedom and power. In contrast, the Makara, with its hybrid monster shape, signifies the depths of water, protection, and change, protecting holy sites and thresholds. Both animals feature in temple architecture, sculptures, and thangkas, where their symbolic functions in guarding, changing, and sustaining cosmic order are depicted using a rich visual vocabulary. Understanding the differences and connections between these two mythical beings reveals how Buddhist and Hindu art use these symbols to represent the dynamic dance of liberation and restriction, the interplay of air and water, and the balance between spiritual transcendence and worldly protection.