"I see you favor the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways." "Those who do can always find a friend." "Then let us play." "Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."
— Fung and Iroh in "The Desert".
The Order of the White Lotus is an ancient and formerly secret society that transcends the boundaries of the four nations, seeking philosophy, beauty, and truth. They are devoted to the sharing of ancient knowledge across national and political divides.[2] The Order's main purpose is to find each new Avatar, see to his or her training, and provide protection.[3]
Formed centuries ago by the wisest scholars from all over the world, the Order began as a club where these ancient masters could challenge one another on the Pai Sho table. They derived their name from the white lotus tile used in Pai Sho, a key element in their strategy. They communicate membership through the game by placing Pai Sho tiles on the board in a specific manner that identifies themselves to other members of the society - a bloomed lotus bud with the lotus chip in the center.[2]
The Order maintained a low profile until its members finally united to liberateBa Sing Se. Firebending members, namely Iroh and Jeong Jeong, utilized the power of Sozin's Comet to increase their powers during the liberation. They also helped Toph, Sokka, and Suki arrive at Ozai's airship base in time by lending them an eel hound.[1]
After the Hundred Year War, Avatar Aang commissioned the Order to train and watch over the next Avatar until they have completed their training. Following this order, they traveled to the Southern Water Tribe, searching for the next Avatar, finally discovering Korra to be the one. Before doing so, the Order investigated many claims in both the Southern and Northern Water Tribe, all of which turned out to be false.[4]
After they discovered Korra as Aang's reincarnation, the White Lotus directly oversaw her development and training of each element, even being present at the young Avatar's firebending test. Acting as her bodyguards, White Lotus sentries were sent to remain with the Avatar on Air Temple Island to watch her actions as she completed her airbending training under Tenzin's tutelage. There, the sentries spent a large part of their time listening to the pro-bending broadcasts on the radio, being not focused on their duties. Korra took advantage of the sentries' distractedness to "escape" the island twice, much to Tenzin's annoyance.[4]
Iroh, a lover of Pai Sho, was a Grand Master and a Grand Lotus of the Order and always said, "Pai Sho is more than just a game".[2]Sokka's sword master, Piandao, was an important member of this order, as his parting gift to the student was a white lotus tile. The sign of the white lotus in the hilt of Sokka's sword and on the doors of Piandao's estate were also references to Piandao's membership.[5]
Shortly before the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Master Pakku, KingBumi, and Jeong Jeong were also revealed to be members, although none had shown symbols of the Order when Team Avatar saw them before. Other members were also visible in the campsite.[1]
During the Liberation of Ba Sing Se, it was shown that the Order has a uniform, which consists of an indigo-colored outfit with white details, a similarly colored cape and a Lotus patterned mantle around the shoulders. They also have a flag, bearing an image of the white lotus. Iroh, a Grand Lotus, seemed to have more to his vestments, with indigo-colored armor and a robe under all of the other pieces, based off the white lotus flower.[1]
The Order of the White Lotus could be a reference to the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group during the Third Reich in Nazi Germany, or more likely the White Lotus Society from China, which began in the late thirteenth century and was instrumental in various rebellions throughout the centuries. Though, it's possible that both are references, as both share similar principles.
The Order of the White Lotus's initials are OWL. The owl is an animal which often signifies knowledge. Wan Shi Tong, a knowledge spirit, also takes the form of an owl. The Greek Goddess of Wisdom is Athena whose sacred animal and symbol is the owl. Athena's Roman counterpart, Minerva, also shared the same symbol.
The Order of the White Lotus's organization mimics that of the Freemasons, another allegedly ancient "society of secrets", whose members of many different cultures and views stretch all over the world.
In Hinduism, the white lotus flower symbolizes beauty and non-attachment. Beauty is one of the virtues of the Order of the White Lotus and the society is not attached to any government or region. It also represents beauty coming out of murkiness, as in the lotus blooms in algae-filled ponds. This represents great wisdom and team effort rising up despite the somber situation in the world.
In Buddhism, the lotus is representative of the most idolized state for a man - head high and lifted upwards to the sun, yet feet strongly attached to the ground. This is similar in that the Order of the White Lotus is a grouping of the wisest and most talented people in Avatar.[6]
Pakku referred to Iroh as 'a Grand Lotus,' a member who has the power to call together the Order of the White Lotus. This suggests the possibility there may be more than one Grand Lotus at a time.[1]
All known members of the Order of the White Lotus are masters of their art and most are high-ranking members of their military and society.[1]
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Anyone else think that Sokka could have become a member before he die? After all Paindio gave him a white lotus piece when Sokka left. And I think Sokka became a great swordsmaster and continued his training.
They job wasn't to protect the avatar until Aang asked them to protect his next incarnation. Before, they were just a secret society based on peace and knowledge.
No. As far as is shown, Tenzin isn't a member of the white lotus. The grand lotus is the man who was at the front of the members when they went to see if Korra was the avatar when she was young.
They are no longer a secret society. They are now the group responsible for keeping the avatar safe during training. Until Korra becomes a fully realized avatar, they will watch over her.
You guys, what if the Order of the White Lotus, being a secret society and all, actually were doing some sneaky suspicious and maybe even morally questionable things? Like maybe Amon, who is the antagonist in Korra's series, maybe he's like an anti-Avatar, and the Order of the White Lotus used to kill anti-Avatars when they were children, but Fire Nation taking over and war and traditions got lost. This might the mature writing Bryke were talking about when interviewed about Legend of Korra.
Since when did they have anything to do with finding the Avatar? I thought that was like, the Council of Elders for air, The Fire Sages for fire, ...something, something for earth and water...
Whatever, just not the White Lotus. They're suppose to be an orgainization for super cool old guys that care about sharing knowledge between the nations.
Until the new guys in Korra came along of course, they're kinda lame...
Probably because everyone knew about them now for retaking Ba Sing Se and Aang himself told them to find and protect the New Avatar. Though yes, the new guys are lame. It was a good move to somewhat hint at them through "The Last Airbender" and then lead up to a thrilling and cool finish for them, but this was really the only way to put them into this series. Then I wouldn't imagine the south Pole having the order that finds the new Avatars anyway since most of the concentrated power is in the North Pole.
hahahah I think It would be funny if the order of the white lotus was an actual real life organisation that existed in the real word but they had to change there name to the C.I.A and Iroh was the director:0
Probably not, Goddess. Honestly, it would make any sense. Despite, she is just the "another old woman" in the series, but she is not the member as we saw her as Korra's waterbending instructor and advisor. She isn't wearing any uniform and she is... doesn't love Pai Sho. :D
Zealkin, if you are refering to the symbol that looks like three waves above three lines that is the "Waterbender" symbol, also used as a way to show Southern Water Tribe. The Cresent moon with three wave lines is the Northern Tribe.
The only way I feel that she could be apart of the White Lotus is through Master Pakku of the Northern Water tribe. He is a member, and what looks to be a high ranking member. In the Sozzen commet episodes in episode 2 of that series it is revield that he got back together with Katara's "Gran Gran" or Grandma, so maybe through blood line that way.
So I agree with Acer, probably not. She is just a trainer that is repected by the Order.
the republic city council serves as their version of the united nations. they have representatives from each nation on the council. tenzin serves as the representative for the air nomads.
I wouldn't say that the Republic City Council is the Avatar World's version of the United Nations. The Council only has authority over Republic City, and it has nothing to do with what goes on in the rest of the world. I've been mulling over the history of organizations like this and I actually couldn't think of one that really existed that consisted of elected representatives to govern a region completely remote from the electors.
As for the OWL, it used to be a lot like the Freemasons, but in LOK the OWL is more like the Secret Service. As far as we know their only current task is to guard the Avatar while she developes.
the white lotus didn't train korra, they just act as her bodyguards during her training. the promised aang on his deathbed that they would protect her while she trained to master the four elements. they bring the teachers to her instead of her going to them, they don't actually train her. the teachers don't wear the white lotus uniform, so not a member, just affiliated.
Sokka is a member. He was initiated by Piandao after he finished his swordmaster training. Remember Piandao's servant running out after them and handed Sokka a pouch filled w/ Pai Sho tiles. The tile Sokka pulled out was the White Lotus.
Just because Master Piandao gave Sokka a white lotus tile doesn't mean that he was initiated into the society. Sokka may have joined the organization later in life, but that hasn't been confirmed.
I am only 12 but when I went to an arcade and thought it was fun to play chess, I saw a white lotus thing so I used my other pieces to copy it then some dude pulled me into a room and talked to me and then I don't know what happened. I was on a chair sleeping outside the arcade.Please reply
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