This article is about the spirit. For the episode, see "The Painted Lady". For the person who disguised herself as the Painted Lady, see Katara.
"She's part of our town's lore. They say she's a river spirit who watches over our town in times of need."
— Xu describing the Painted Lady to Team Avatar.[1]
The Painted Lady is the benevolent spirit of the Jang Hui River, known for her protectiveness and healing abilities. She was once the guardian spirit of the fishing village of Jang Hui, but was driven away due to the region's rising water contamination. As is the case with many other spirits, only the spiritually enlightened can see her.[2][1]
The Painted Lady watched over the river town of Jang Hui until the Fire Nationarmy built a factory on the corresponding river in 90 ASC and began polluting it by discharging its waste. This event drove the Painted Lady away, leaving the villagers to fend for themselves.[2]
Years later, AvatarAang and his friends arrived at the village, which had been left deprived and devastated by illnesses caused by pollutants in its waters. Through intense persuasion from Katara, she convinced everyone in her group that the villagers were worth lending a hand to, and they helped them recover from their long hardship and strife. One night by a riverside, Katara found herself to be in the presence of the Painted Lady, who thanked her for her part in cleaning the Jang Hui River.[1]
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