Eagle Deity (Khmer)
In Khmer mythology, the eagle deity is known as Garuda (Krŭd in Khmer), a divine being that is half-man and half-bird, serving as both a protective guardian and a symbol of royal power. Garuda's roots stretch back to Hindu epics where he hatches after centuries in an egg to liberate his mother from captivity. Khmer kings adopted Garuda as a symbol of sovereignty, adorning thrones and ceremonial regalia with his image. Across Cambodia's sacred landscape, Garuda appears on lintels and pediments at Angkor Wat, Preah Khan, and other temples, locked in eternal battle with the serpentine Nagas