The garuda is a mythical diety with spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. - Garuda is shown with a snake in its beak. This symbolizes the predominance of the intellect or spirit (the garuda) over the baser human instincts (the snake)--or, in other words, the conquest of evil (ignorance) by good (wisdom). - In Hinduism, the garuda is the "mount" of the god Vishnu (each deity has an animal that he or she rides). So to ride the garuda suggests mastery of the power of primordial wisdom.