Garuda bird is a mythological animal that is closely related to the Indonesian people because it is a symbol of the state.
But for scientists, Garuda is not just a mythological animal. Scientists have long detected the presence of 'Garuda' in the wild there.
Garuda can be said to be mythological, but Garuda is a Javanese eagle. So, the Javanese eagle in the world only exists in Java. In fact, according to mythological beliefs, eagles are among the top predators.
The physical characteristics of the Javanese eagle are practically the same, namely it has a crest on the back of its head. While in the mythology, Garuda is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Why the Javanese eagle has become attached to the Garuda mythology is because of its position as the apex predator.
Examples of other predators, for example, are lions and tigers. The eagle has a function in nature as a regulator of the population of mice, snakes and fish. When the rat population explodes, the eagles will naturally act as regulators of the population.
Mythology is usually associated with food chains. The eagle is described as the regulator of human life under it. Therefore, there are countries other than Indonesia that choose the eagle as a symbol of their country.
The symbol for the United States is also the eagle, right, that's because the eagle is a top predator.
Asked about the existence of Garuda in temple reliefs or other historical relics, Prof. Ibnu and his friends have conducted studies related to animals and plants around the temple. Prof Ibnu said, he could not say that what he saw in the temple was Garuda, but he often found images of eagles.
In the temple you can't say it's Garuda, but I once said it was an eagle. Because the species differ slightly. Especially in the temple, we can't see the color.
The eagle is pretty much described as the ruler of life. But instead of the eagle, there are other animal symbols that are more present in temples in Indonesia. One of them, at Borobudur Temple, the first animal that appears is a dove with a symbol of affection followed by an elephant.