An air temple is a type of structure inhabited by the Air Nomads prior to the Air Nomad Genocide. The temples were usually located in isolated environments, whether it be the tops of mountains, or on an island. There are five known temples to date.

Temples

Southern Air Temple

Main article: Southern Air Temple

The Southern Air Temple was located in the Patola Mountain Range, and was one of two temples that exclusively housed male Air Nomads before the beginning of the Hundred Year War. It was notable for being the home of Avatar Aang. It featured an airball arena, and an inner sanctuary, in which reside numerous statues of past Avatars. The temple was also the home of the only known surviving winged lemur, later named Momo when he became a companion to Avatar Aang.^[1]

Northern Air Temple

Main article: Northern Air Temple

The Northern Air Temple was located in the mountains along the North Coast of the Earth Kingdom, and was one of the two temples that exclusively housed male Air Nomads. Years after the devastating blow the Fire Nation had dealt to the Air Nomads, the deserted temple was colonized by a group of Earth Kingdom refugees, led by a renowned inventor, after their town was destroyed by a flood. The mechanist modified the temple to make life easier for the new inhabitants.^[2]

Eastern Air Temple

Main article: Eastern Air Temple

The Eastern Air Temple was located in a mountain range in the south-eastern Earth Kingdom, and was one of the two temples that exclusively housed female Air Nomads.^[3] After the Air Nomads were killed, the temple was used as a home for Guru Pathik, and was also the place in which Avatar Aang was taught by Pathik how to unlock his chakras.^[4] It is notable for being situated on three separate mountains, connected by bridges. It is also notable because all young airbenders would choose their sky bison, which would become their life companion.^[5]

Western Air Temple

Main article: Western Air Temple

The Western Air Temple was located in the mountains north of the Fire Nation, and was one of the two temples that exclusively housed female Air Nomads. The temple is notable in that, unlike the other three temples, it is situated underneath the edge of a cliff instead of atop a mountain. The spires seem as though they were built upside-down, and because of that, the temple is hidden to the passersby. Renowned as the birthplace of past Avatar Yangchen,^[6] Avatar Aang and his friends later made it their temporary home in the later stages of the War.^[7]

Air Temple Island

Main article: Air Temple Island

Air Temple Island is the most recent air temple, built by Avatar Aang himself,^[8] and is home to Tenzin and his family. Located off the coast of Republic City, it appears to be secluded from access due to its altitude. The island sports several structures, including a large tower and a smaller building nearby, and it is inhabited by some sky bison and a different species of flying lemur, the ring-tailed winged lemur.^[9]

Trivia

• Some time after the end of the Anti-bending Revolution, Korra will visit the other four air temples, having already spent time at Air Temple Island.
• The gender restriction on the four temples are not applicable to the Avatar.^[10][11]

References