The Fire Lord is the absolute ruler of the Fire Nation, usually a powerful firebender, who may be either male or female. The Fire Lord resides in the Royal Palace, located in the Fire Nation Capital.

History

During the distant past, the Fire Nation was ruled as a theocracy led by the Fire Sages. The position of Fire Lord during this time merely signified the head sage; however, subsequent holders of the title desired to hold greater power, and split away from the sages, beginning the Fire Nation's Royal Family lineage. Afterwards, the position of Great Sage was established to replace the Fire Lord's original role as head of the Fire Sages. Despite initial animosity between the Fire Sages and the Royal Family, the balance of power had reached a state of equilibrium by the time of Fire Lord Sozin, who subjugated the Sages to the Fire Lord's rule.^[1]

During Fire Lord Azulon's rule Prince Iroh was first in line. After Iroh's only son, Lu Ten, was killed during the siege of Ba Sing Se, Iroh abandoned the mission to return home. Prince Ozai, the second born son, called a meeting with Azulon to attempt to have him name him as heir, and strip Iroh of his birthright. According to Azula, Azulon became furious at this suggestion, and told Ozai that he would have to "know the pain of losing a first-born son", as Iroh did, by killing his own son, Zuko.^[2] Under mysterious circumstances, Azulon died the day after he suggested Ozai kill Zuko and supposedly declared that Ozai would inherit the throne.

As Fire Lord, Ozai carried on the established custom upholding the Fire Lord's absolute rule over the nation, and his ability to dictate military decisions. Near the Hundred Year War's conclusion, however, Fire Lord Ozai broke with this tradition by establishing a personal position known as the Phoenix King, crowning himself the supreme ruler of the world. Having passed over his first born son, Prince Zuko, he granted the position of Fire Lord to his daughter, Princess Azula, entrusting her to lead the Fire Nation in his absence.^[3] However, upon the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko and Katara interrupted Azula's coronation, and Zuko declared his intention to be crowned Fire Lord, provoking Azula to challenge him to an Agni Kai for the throne that resulted in his victory.^[4]

After Phoenix King Ozai's defeat by the hands of Avatar Aang, and Zuko and Katara's victory over Azula, Zuko was crowned the new Fire Lord, becoming the youngest known individual to achieve this status. He vowed to begin an era of peace and love, in which he strove to restore the Fire Nation's honor and to rebuild the war-torn world. In an effort to accomplish his goals, he formed the Harmony Restoration Movement along with the Avatar and Earth King Kuei in order to return the Fire Nation colonials in the Earth Kingdom back to the Fire Nation.^[5] Afterwards, with the assistance of Avatar Aang, Fire Lord Zuko also founded Republic City.^[6] He remained at the head of the Fire Nation until 167 ASC, when he resigned and passed the throne to his daughter,^[7] making her the first known female Fire Lord.

Position and powers

The Fire Lord wields absolute power over the Fire Nation's policies. His orders are to be carried out immediately and without question. Unlike the later Earth Kings, the Fire Lord continues to be a central player in the workings of government and is intimately involved in affairs of state. During the Hundred Year War, many Fire Lords took an active part in the military conquests of their nation, either by direct service or involvement in strategic planning. Fire Lords Sozin and Azulon were considered to be particularly effective tacticians.

Succession

The position of Fire Lord is hereditary, traditionally passed from parent to eldest child when the reigning Fire Lord dies or steps down.^[7] In order to prevent wars of succession between rival siblings, many Fire Lords designated their first born as Crown Prince or Princess while living, thus confirming their choice of successor. However, despite this clear designation, some designated heirs have not become Fire Lord due to intrigues within the royal house; Crown Prince Iroh was passed over by Fire Lord Azulon in favor of his younger brother, Ozai,^[2] and Crown Prince Zuko was passed over by his father in favor of his younger sister, Azula.^[3]

Family

Main article: Fire Nation Royal Family

The Royal Family includes its head, the Fire Lord, a spouse if present, and their children. The wife of a Fire Lord is known as the Fire Lady. This title, however, is not used for female Fire Lords as Princess Azula referred to herself as 'Fire Lord' when she received that authority from her father.^[3] It is unknown what the husband of a female Fire Lord is referred to as. The children of the Fire Lord are referred to as 'Prince' or 'Princess', as is anyone married to the Fire Lord's children.

Known Fire Lords

• Sozin's grandfather – Unknown ~ Unknown BSC
• Sozin's father – Unknown ~ 58 BSC^[8]
• Sozin – 58 BSC ~ 20 ASC^[8]
• Azulon – 20 ~ 95 ASC
• Ozai – 95 ~ 100 ASC
• Zuko – 100 ASC ~ 167 ASC^[7]
• Zuko's daughter – 167 ASC ~ present^[7]

Attire

Fire Lords' most common set of clothing are robes. These robes contain multiple shades of red and black, as well as ornate gold trimmings, and are supposed to be worn in collaboration with the Fire Lord headpiece.^[9]

The Fire Lord has always worn a set of ornate robes, but the design has changed slightly throughout the generations. Fire Lords Zuko, Ozai, Azulon, Sozin, and Sozin's father all wore a similar set of robes. Fire Lord Sozin's grandfather, however, wore a less ornate set of robes, as seen in his official portrait.^[1] Fire Lord Zuko later clad himself in a more maneuverable set of ornate robes.^[5]

Portraits

Main article: Royal Gallery

Located within the Fire Nation Royal Palace is a hallway that contains portraits of each Fire Lord. Each portrait depicts the Fire Lord in a way that puts emphasis on the advancements made during that respective Fire Lord's rule. Azulon's portrait, for example, depicts him standing on top of a turtle-like creature, symbolizing the many victories the Fire Nation had against the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes during Azulon's rule.

Trivia

• In official sources, both "Fire Lord" and "Firelord" are used; either spelling is acceptable.
• All known Fire Lords have the letters Z and O in their names.
• Ozai served the shortest known term as Fire Lord, only six years.
• Sozin served the longest known term as Fire Lord, with seventy-eight years.
• Zuko's daughter is the only known female Fire Lord.

References

See also

• Politics in the World of Avatar
• Society in the World of Avatar
• Avatar
• Heir to the Fire Lord
• Phoenix King
• Earth King
• Council of Elders
• Tribal Chief