Vishnu on Garuda

ca. 1725 or earlier

The Hindu god Vishnu resides in a heavenly realm, but when humankind requires his help, he descends to earth to save the day, riding on the back of a part-man, part-eagle creature named Garuda. Although Vishnu’s blue color is not explained in Hindu scriptures, several Hindu pundits have suggested that his color reflects his home above the clouds. Vishnu is also closely associated with the primordial ocean that existed before the gods created land and living creatures.