In Hindu mythology, the bird (similar to a kite or eagle) on whom the god Vishnu rides.
Garuda was a younger brother of Aruna, charioteer of the sun god Surya . His mother was enslaved by nagas (hence the emnity between kites and serpents) and was released only after Garuda brought the serpents an elixir of immortality. He is associated with royalty in several S.East Asian countries.