Crescent Island is a volcanic isle in the eastern Fire Nation that once housed a temple for the Fire Sages and a shrine to Avatar Roku.
History
Crescent Island is a volcanic island on the outskirts of the Fire Nation archipelago; the Fire Temple was the only structure on the island. The temple was built on the island so that it aligned with the solstices and equinoxes,[1] and housed a branch of the Fire Sages.
In 55 BG, Avatar Roku remained on this island for five months for spiritual training with Fire Sage Kaja in order to try to master the Avatar State. However, instead of listening to Kaja's teaching, an impatient Roku triggered the Avatar State by using the winter solstice sun, which resulted in the destruction of the upper half of the temple and the eruption of the nearby volcano on the island.
After Avatar Roku destroyed the temple in 99 AG,[2] the island became uninhabited. In fact, the lava still flows from that event.[1] After his journey through a storm, Aang washed ashore the same crescent island where the temple once stood. The kids then began their journey into the Fire Nation from this tiny outlying island.[3]
Fire Temple
- Main article: Fire Temple
The Fire Temple was a five-tiered pagoda that sat on a hill near the volcano's base, managed by a small group of Fire Sages. After Avatar Roku destroyed the temple in 55 BG, he rebuilt it and it was here that he perfected his use of the Avatar State.[4] After his death, the temple was rededicated to him. The ancient temple used mechanisms that required firebending to operate. The temple was destroyed again when Aang channeled Roku's spirit to face the threat that was awaiting him at the Fire Temple directly following the winter solstice.[2]
Sanctuary
The sanctuary doors could be opened only by five simultaneous firebending blasts.
The sanctuary was built to receive a shaft of sunlight through a giant ruby at sundown on the winter solstice. Avatar Roku meditated in this sanctuary with Fire Sage Kaja to learn to master the Avatar State, and it was here that Roku become stuck in the Avatar State while using the spiritual energy from the sun during the winter solstice.
At the time of the winter solstice the light from the ruby illuminated the statue of Avatar Roku, making it possible to communicate with him. When Avatar Roku was alive, the previous generations of sages used the sanctuary to communicate with him on the solstice,[1] but now only the Avatar is able to communicate with Avatar Roku. The sanctuary doors protected the sanctuary from intruders; they could only be opened by either a fully realized Avatar or with five simultaneous fire blasts.[2]
Notable former occupants
- Avatar Roku
- Fire Sages
- Fire Sage Shyu
- Fire Sage Kaja
- Great Sage
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Template:Nickold
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 DiMartino, Michael Dante (writer) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (April 15, 2005). "Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 8. Nickelodeon.
- ↑ Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (September 21, 2007). "The Awakening". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
- ↑ Escape from the Spirit World: Avatar Roku Online Comic Book