金翅鸟图像分析

Analysis of Garuda Images

佛教以金翅鸟擒蛇比喻修行者制伏其心,具有这种象征意义的金翅鸟图像创始于古印度贵霜朝,伴随着犍陀罗文化获得初步发展,之后在古龟兹地区、汉传佛教文化中获得进一步发展,再后藏传佛教金翅鸟造像盛行于汉地。金翅鸟图像经历几近两千年岁月,分布在绵长又广阔地域,成为具有顽强生命力的象征性佛教文化符号。

In Buddhism,the image of Garuda catching the Naga is used as a metaphor for the suppression of desire.The use of images of Garuda to express this symbolic significance first began in the Kushan dynasty of ancient India.After an initial period of emergence in Gandhara culture,these images further developed in the region of ancient Qiuci(Kucina)and in Han Chinese Buddhist culture.By this time,statues of Garuda from Tibetan Buddhism were popular in places dominated by Han Chinese.Images of Garuda have experienced nearly two thousand years of history and influenced the culture of an immense area in Asia,and remain a powerful symbol emblematic of Buddhist culture.