Editing Khmer architecture (section)

===Garuda===
[[File:Linteau Musée Guimet 25972.jpg|right|thumb|In this 9th century lintel, now on display at the [[Musée Guimet]], '''Garuda''' bears Vishnu on his shoulders.]]
[[Garuda]] is a divine being that is part man and part bird. He is the lord of birds, the mythological enemy of [[nāga]]s, and the battle steed of [[Vishnu]]. Depictions of Garuda at Angkor number in the thousands, and though Indian in inspiration exhibit a style that is uniquely Khmer.<ref name = "ukougg">Roveda, ''Images of the Gods'', p. 177.</ref> They may be classified as follows:
* As part of a narrative bas relief, Garuda is shown as the battle steed of [[Vishnu]] or [[Krishna]], bearing the god on his shoulders, and simultaneously fighting against the god's enemies. Numerous such images of Garuda may be observed in the outer gallery of [[Angkor Wat]].
* Garuda serves as an [[Atlas (architecture)|atlas]] supporting a superstructure, as in the bas relief at Angkor Wat that depicts heaven and hell. Garudas and stylized mythological lions are the most common atlas figures at Angkor.
* Garuda is depicted in the pose of a victor, often dominating a nāga, as in the gigantic relief sculptures on the outer wall of [[Preah Khan]]. In this context, Garuda symbolizes the military power of the Khmer kings and their victories over their enemies. Not coincidentally, the city of Preah Khan was built on the site of King [[Jayavarman VII]]'s victory over invaders from [[Champa]].
* In free-standing nāga sculptures, such as in nāga bridges and balustrades, Garuda is often depicted in relief against the fan of nāga heads. The relationship between Garuda and the nāga heads is ambiguous in these sculptures: it may be one of cooperation, or it may again be one of domination of the nāga by Garuda.<ref name = "ukougg"/>