January 26, 2013
at the stupa near the entrance of the Killing Fields
I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for legends and mythology. On my recent trip to Cambodia, I was especially taken by the Garuda and Naga motif that is visible in much of the country’s architecture. The two creatures have their roots in Hindu mythology. The Garuda (Sanskrit for “eagle”) is a bird that was the mount of the god Vishnu, while the Naga is a 7-headed hooded serpent (like a cobra) that is thought to be the father of the Khmer people. The Naga and Garuda are natural enemies. When they are represented together (often upholding the Buddha), it is a symbol of peace.
The Garuda-Naga motif is often seen on buildings in Cambodia, much like the two images here. In both instances, the Garuda is supporting the Naga, whose head is spread out in a protective embrace over all that pass beneath it.
in the complex of the Silver Pagoda, next to the grounds of the Royal Palace
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January 20, 2013
the stupa built to house the remains of the dead
spirit house, a tradition which predates both Hinduism and Buddhism in Cambodia — meant to provide shelter for spirits who have no place to rest
the Killing Tree – where children were brutally killed
skulls in the stupa
the stupa – note the Garuda and the Naga motif
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January 14, 2013
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January 1, 2013
Here’s what I’ve been reading and viewing for the past month.
Hits
- The Garden of Evening Mists (Tan Twan Eng)
- Unearthly Delights (Marge Simon)
- 《死亡赋格》（盛可以，Sheng Keyi)
- My Friend, the Poet (Terrie Leigh Relf)
- Fish Eats Lion (Jason Erik Lundberg, ed.)
- The Dragon Dictionary (Marge Simon and Mary Turzillo)
- The Japanese Haiku (Kenneth Yasuda)
- Dragon Soup (Marge Simon and Mary Turzillo)
Along with the most recent issues and several back issues of the magazines Illumen, Knowledge, The Martian Wave
Misses
Neither Hit Nor Miss
- Rising Sun (Michael Crichton)
- The Hobbit (movie)
- Men in Black II (movie)
So how was December reading and viewing for you?
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Shelly Bryant 
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