The Garuda claws gripping a white ribbon scroll inscribed with the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika written in black text, which can be loosely translated as "Unity in Diversity".

Garuda Pancasila was designed by Sultan Hamid II from Pontianak, supervised by Sukarno, and was adopted as the national emblem on 11 February 1950.

Temples such as Mendut, Borobudur, Sajiwan, Prambanan, Kidal, Penataran, Belahan, and Sukuh depict the images (bas-relief or statue) of Garuda.

In the Shiva temple, also in Prambanan complex, there is a relief telling an episode of Ramayana about Garuda's nephew who also belongs to the bird-god race, Jatayu, tried to rescue Sita from Ravana's hand.

In Bali, Garuda traditionally portrayed as a divine creature with head, beak, wings, and claw of an eagle, while has the body of a human.

Usually portrayed in intricate carving with golden and vivid colours, as the vehicle of Vishnu or in battle scene against Nāga (dragon) serpents.

On 10 January 1950 the Committee of State Seal was formed, under co-ordination of Sultan Hamid II of Pontianak as the State Minister of No Portfolio, with Muhammad Yamin as the chairman, and Ki Hajar Dewantara, M. A. Melkias Agustinus Pellaupessy, Mohammad Natsir, and Raden Mas Ngabehi Poerbatjaraka as committee members.

The design featured the Garuda in its anthropomorphic form, similar to the traditional depiction in ancient Javanese, Balinese, and Siamese art.

However, the Islamic party Masyumi expressed their objection and stated that the bird with human neck and shoulders with both hands holding the Pancasila shield was too mythical.

On 20 March 1950, Sukarno ordered the palace artist Dullah to make several improvements according to his suggestions, such as the addition of a crest and the change of talons position to the scroll.

[7][8] This spirit of religious tolerance was an essential element in the foundation and security of the newly emerging State of Majapahit and the thus fledgling Republic of Indonesia.

It is also used in private offices and buildings, also in the classes of public schools, placed on the wall slightly upper than the President's and Vice-President's photographs that flanked the emblem.

[11] The controversy also raised from pro-Prabowo musician Ahmad Dhani who campaigned through a music video that displays golden Garuda Pancasila — which looks like the German imperial eagle, in aesthetic imagery reminiscent of Nazi's style fascism.

The design of Garuda Pancasila was inspired by the elang Jawa or Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi), an endangered raptor endemic to the mountainous forest regions of Java.

The Javan hawk-eagle's resemblance to the Garuda Pancasila is most obvious with the prominent crest crowning its head and the plumage colored dark-brownish to chestnut-gold.

By presidential decree, the Javan hawk-eagle was legally registered as the national bird of Indonesia, and thus attributing the endangered species very high protection.

This is a symbol common not only among Indonesia's sanctioned faiths of Islam, Protestantism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Buddhism and Confucianism, as well as among some of the Aliran Kepercayaan (native religions), but of the secular ideology of socialism as well.

The Republic of Indonesia, as an ideal conceived by Sukarno and the Nationalists, is one country out of many far-flung cultural roots, made up of millions of people from a number of ethnic communities and groups and from 38 provinces from far west of Sumatra to far east of Papua.

'Pancasila March'), colloquially and significantly better known by its incipit Garuda Pancasila, was composed by Sudharnoto as a patriotic song to commemorate the Indonesian struggle.

[2] Garuda Pancasila Akulah pendukungmu Patriot proklamasi Sedia berkorban untukmu O, Garuda Pancasila I am your supporter A patriot of Proclamation (I am) willing to sacrifice for you O, Garuda Pancasila A soldier for you, I am A vanguard of Proclamation, I stand I place my life and fortune in your hands Rwâneka dhâtu winuwus Buddha Wiswa, Bhinnêki rakwa ring apan kena parwanosen, Mangka ng Jinatwa kalawan Siwatatwa tunggal, Bhinnêka tunggal ika tan hana dharma mangrwa.