A Study on the Origins and Features of Images Depicting Garuda Catching Nagas by Tying them into Knots in the Kucha Caves
Images of square knots formed by two snakes originated in ancient Greece and Rome,and were then integrated into Buddhist art culture in India and Central Asia,from which it was then transmitted to the ancient Kucina region(modern Kucha).In the central-pillared caves at Kucha,there is a unique illustration of Garuda catching Nagas by tying them into a square knot that is composed of various motifs taken from multiple ancient cultures.The elements of the image include a snake with heads on either end of its bodies,a motif from the Roman Empire,a multi-headed Naga from Central and Southeast India,a dou-ble-headed eagle from Persia,and a human-faced Garuda with the beak of a bird from India.This unique image of Garuda was of-ten painted in the semi-circular vaults of the Kucha region to express the fundamental Buddhist notion of overcoming kleshas,or worldly pains and troubles.
Kucha cavessquare knot formed by snakesGaruda catching Nagas by tying them into knotsancient Greek and Roman cultureIndian and Central Asian culture
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