Ranking Avatar’s Mightiest Nations: Who Reigns Supreme?

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In the aftermath of a perplexing disaster that annihilated the four nations and the United Republic, a new landscape emerges, consisting of seven cities known as the “Seven Havens.” These cities represent the final strongholds of humanity. However, their existence also signifies that the original nations no longer exist. As the former Avatar world vanishes, fans are left contemplating: which of the five great nations from Avatar: The Last Airbender will be revered as the most significant?

In the realm of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” there are four distinct nations: the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. The sequel series, “Avatar: The Legend of Korra,” introduces a new entity known as the United Republic of Nations, which was established during Avatar Aang’s reign. Each of these four nations is connected to one of the primary bending elements and is thought to be crucial in maintaining global harmony. Despite attempts by the Fire Nation and other malevolent forces to disrupt the balance, each bending nation preserves its unique culture, ethics, and military strength.

Cruelty is the Fire Nation’s Biggest Weakness

In the universe of Avatar, the Fire Nation ranks second in size and boasts a robust economy. The citizens of this nation are known for their resilient spirits, which bolster a formidable military. Historically, the Fire Nation has faced significant internal conflict and turbulence, culminating in the rule of a warlord – the Fire Lord. This marked the beginning of a regime where religion held great influence, with the Fire Lord at its helm. Frequent power struggles within the royal family often led to civil wars within the Fire Nation. At one point, the Fire Nation amassed immense power, leading to the Hundred Year War, an attempt to conquer the entire world. However, Avatar Aang thwarted this historic assault, causing the Fire Nation to abandon its expansionist policies.

After their unsuccessful takeover attempt, the Fire Nation revamped their government and converted their older territories into the United Republic. By 174 AG, they adopted a policy of non-interference to rectify past mistakes. In many ways, the Fire Nation resembles China and Japan, with its architecture reminiscent of China and military and industrial structures inspired by Japanese history. The ambition of Fire Lord Sozin to spread the wealth of the Fire Nation through expansion and colonization mirrors the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere idea. The Fire Nation was characterized by gender equality, with families primarily consisting of nuclear units. Their education and culture were highly sophisticated, featuring numerous festivals for the seasons and theater performances nationwide. However, the Fire Nation was also known for being a society heavily influenced by propaganda, even using theater to present oppressive rulers in a favorable light. Despite this, the nation was renowned for its art.

The Fire Nation Ruthlessly Wiped Out the Ancient Air Nomad Culture

As an observer, I’ve come across the intriguing tale of the Air Nomads, a group often referred to as the roaming airbenders. Contrary to their nomadic reputation, they maintained four sacred temples atop global mountain ranges. Given their profound spirituality, it was common for them to be regarded as airbenders. The Air Nomads were remarkable individuals, living in harmony with nature and prioritizing altruism and detachment from material possessions. Their humor was both strong and fun-loving, a characteristic that made them unique among the nations.

Unfortunately, these peaceful people of the past suffered a tragic fate. In 0 AG, their story is divided into BG (Before Genocide) and AG (After Genocide), marking the Fire Nation’s devastating genocide against the Air Nomads. Only one airbender, Avatar Aang, survived, entombed in a block of ice for a century. After the defeat of the Fire Lord Ozai, a new Air Nation emerged, and in 171 AG, following the Harmonic Convergence, non-bending individuals developed newly acquired airbending abilities. In 174 AG, the reborn Air Nation began to flourish once more on Air Temple Island.

Due to the fresh beginnings of the Air Nomads and Air Nation, it’s challenging to understand their emerging culture and position. Although they still bear resemblance to Tibetan monks, they might undergo significant transformations by the time of Avatar: Seven Havens. The genocide that occurred caused the total eradication of the Air Nomad culture, forcing them to start over multiple times until they found their place. The Air Acolytes, a group who preserve the culture, have been instrumental in helping the Air Nation rediscover their identity. They are now more active in the world compared to their previous generation’s seclusion, which led to their decline. Now, they aim to be actively involved in the world while serving as guardians of the spirit portals.

Civil War Divides the Northern Water Tribe & the Southern Water Tribe

The Water Tribes are divided into three main regions: the North and South Poles, home to the Ice and Foggy Swamp respectively, and the general population of these tribes is adept at living in harmony with nature, even under harsh conditions. They do this to build resilience against hardship and maintain a respectful relationship with their surroundings. However, despite their peaceful demeanor, they were involved in two significant conflicts during the Hundred Year War, one of which led to the death of Admiral Zhao. In the series Avatar: The Legend of Korra, it delves into how the North and South lived harmoniously before discord arose, and tensions escalated. The tension grew worse when the antagonist Unalaq tried to reassert Northern control over the self-governing South, sparking a brief civil war. Following the Harmonic Convergence and Unalaq’s defeat at the hands of Avatar Korra, the Southern Water Tribe achieved complete independence from the North.

Regarding strength in economy, population, and influence, the Water Tribe ranks lower compared to the Earth and Fire Nations. The show emphasizes their unique culture by underscoring the significant role family plays within the tribe and depicting their traditional, male-dominated society, where girls often marry at sixteen. Character names typically include one or two “K’s.” The Water Tribe shares similarities with Arctic and Siberian cultures, while the Southern Water Tribe mirrors the Anatica continent in its geographical features. Their attire is consistently blue, symbolizing their season and their elemental hue, blue.

Aang & Zuko Ushered in Republic City’s Birth Together

Established by Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko, the United Republic is a self-governing nation birthed from the freed Five Nations colonies. This land was designed to be a haven for both benders and non-benders, fostering harmony between the two groups. The landscape of this nation has been influenced by immigration and technological advancements. Originally governed by the United Republic Council, the Anti-bending Revolution led to the council’s dissolution and the introduction of a new government system that granted more power to non-benders within the country. The culture and fashion of this society are diverse, reflecting a blend of various influences.

174 AG saw a challenge to the validity of the United Republic of Nations, as put forth by Kuvira and her troops, who held firm to the conviction that the land was rightfully part of the Earth Kingdom. However, it was Avatar Korra’s actions, coupled with the ongoing support of the United Republic during the Evacuee Crisis and the power struggles among the bending triads, that eventually halted Kuvira’s advance. Despite its aspiration for harmony, the United Nations remained precariously balanced, often teetering on the brink of political and criminal instability. Yet, the hope for unity and peace persisted, finding potential continuation in the world of Avatar: Seven Havens.

Diversity & Creativity Make the Earth Kingdom the Avatar World’s Best

In the world of Avatar, the Earth Kingdom stands as the largest and most complex of the four nations. Governed by a monarch, it is inhabited by the earthbenders, a diverse and tenacious group known for their unyielding determination and resilience. Steeped in history, this nation was once an influential empire that faced numerous crises, internal conflicts, and political turmoil, which temporarily ceased during certain periods. Unfortunately, its constitution weakened under the rule of Earth King Jialun, leading to a government plagued by corruption and indifference. What makes the Earth Kingdom captivating is its rich history, so profound that it could sustain a storyline independently. Despite enduring hardships, the Earth Kingdom embarked on the path of abolishing monarchy in ‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra’.

One intriguing aspect of the Earth Kingdom is its diverse array of benders who add depth to the series. The earthbenders are known for their adaptability, constantly refining their bending techniques and manipulating various elements, from metalworking to controlling lava. Their culture values stability, integrity, and maintaining a positive image in the eyes of others. Family respect is deeply ingrained within their society. The verdant hues of the Earth Kingdom harmonize beautifully with its inhabitants’ homes and attire. Moreover, the kingdom boasts an impressive variety of crops to cater to their dietary needs. Architecturally, it mirrors China’s Ming and Qing dynasties, as can be seen in Ba Sing Se’s structures resembling the Forbidden City. As the most scholarly nation within the series, the Earth Kingdom offers an abundance of intriguing lore to delve into throughout the franchise.

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2025-05-10 04:01