Comparative Study of Garuda (Khrut) Mythical Creature Visual Representation in Indonesian and Thai Architecture

Abstract

Indonesia and Thailand share a common mythical heritage, Garuda (Khrut), which serves both as a spiritual figure and a symbol of national identity. However, significant differences exist in the stylistic approaches, symbolic narratives, and functional placements of Garuda imagery, shaped by each nation's unique historical, religious, and socio-cultural contexts. This study explores how the visual language of Garuda in architecture contributes to contemporary expressions of national identity and environmental design in public spaces. The objectives of this research are: (1) to identify how mythological symbolism is applied in prominent public architecture in Indonesia and Thailand; (2) to examine the socio-cultural and historical influences that shape the stylistic variations of Garuda representations; and (3) to analyze the visual interpretation of Garuda imagery within architectural contexts in present-day Indonesia and Thailand. This study employs a comparative visual analysis method, investigating how Garuda is interpreted and integrated into architectural elements in both countries. Implementing comparative analysis, this study integrates a semiotic perspective using Charles Sanders Peirce’s triadic model (signifier, signified, and referent) to deepen the interpretation of Garuda’s imagery within architectural contexts. Findings reveal a shared Southeast Asian architectural tradition in which Garuda or Khrut serves as a vehicle of cultural continuity, collective memory, and ideological reproduction. The study concludes that Garuda functions as an active architectural discourse mediating tradition, modernity, myth, governance, heritage, and identity. Through comparative and semiotic analysis, this research demonstrates the consistency of mythological symbolism in shaping public Southeast Asian architecture.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Nakhara Journal of Environmental Design and Planning, 2026 · DOI ↗