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Body markings in the World of Avatar
General information
Type Tattoos, war paint, markings
Examples Water Tribe markings Avatar Kyoshi's face paint Airbending master tattoo

Body markings, widely used in the World of Avatar, are applied for a variety of traditional uses. While sometimes used for fashion, they mainly serve as a symbolic mark of identity and responsibility in battle or as a cultural icon.

Contents 1 Tattoos 1.1 Airbending masters 1.2 Yuyan Archers 1.3 Others 2 Body paint 2.1 Water Tribe warriors 2.1.1 Mark of the Trusted 2.1.2 Mark of the Brave 2.1.3 Mark of the Wise 2.2 Kyoshi Warriors 2.3 Other examples 3 References 4 See also 5 Comments

Tattoos Edit

Airbending masters Edit

Upon reaching master status, airbenders are tattooed with five light blue arrows: one extending from the base of the spine to the forehead, one for each arm pointing to the hands, and likewise for the legs and feet. This pattern is an emulation of the flying bison's natural markings, as they were the first airbenders. Unlike most master airbenders who gain their status later in life, Avatar Aang received his tattoos when he was only twelve, following his invention of the air scooter. This makes him the youngest known airbending master.^[1]

As they run along chi paths, the Air Nomad tattoos of an Avatar will glow when they enter the Avatar State.^[2] If the Avatar's body has received a severe injury on a tattooed area, leaving a scar deeper than the tattoo, then that particular spot will not glow.^[3]

Yuyan Archers Edit

The Yuyan Archers bear dark red tattoos that run as a strip across their eyes and narrow over the bridge of their nose. The placement of their tattoos symbolizes the importance of sight in their deadly skill. Similar to those of master airbenders, the tattoos of the Yuyan Archers identify them as part of an elite group.^[1]

Others Edit

• A prisoner in Chin Village had a large green serpent tattoo that swirled around his body. As a reference to the prevalence of body markings among his fellow convicts, he told Aang that because he also had tattoos, the airbender would "fit in real well".^[4]
• One of the prisoners brought to the Boiling Rock with Hakoda had an elaborate black tattoo.^[5]
• The Boulder had a tattoo of a badgermole on his back, a self-proclamation of his earthbending prowess.^[6]
• The third eye tattooed on Combustion Man's forehead was a channel for his chi, as it was directly over his Light Chakra, allowing him to focus his energy there and produce powerful explosions.^[7]

• June, the bounty hunter, had a coiled serpent tattooed on both shoulders.^[8]
• Some of the pirates had tattoos.^[9]
• As a testament to their respect for Avatar Aang, the Yu Dao chapter of the Official Avatar Aang Fan Club donned tattoos just like master airbenders.
• Smellerbee, a Freedom Fighter, had two red tattoos on each side of her face.^[10]
  

Body paint Edit

Water Tribe warriors Edit

Water Warriors, elite non-bending fighters of both the Northern and Southern Water Tribes, bear traditional full-face war paint when going into battle, colored primary black, gray, and white.^[11] In the Northern Water Tribe, it is also customary for the chief to ceremonially apply three red markings to the forehead of chosen warriors departing on a dangerous mission.^[12]

Mark of the Trusted Edit

The Mark of the Trusted is a horizontal arc given to outsiders who are able to prove themselves worthy of the Water Tribe's trust.^[13] For example, while ice dodging, Aang controlled the jib of his group's cutter to successfully navigate the rocky waters; this position related to trust, as without a steady hand, the whole crew would go down.^[8]

Mark of the Brave Edit

The Mark of the Brave is a crescent-shaped mark that resembles the moon, and is given for "inspirational displays of courage."^[13] During Sokka's rite of passage, Katara held the position of bravery as she needed to secure the boat's mainsail and thus prevail against the brutal winds. Following her successful completion of the ritual, Bato bestowed the Mark of the Brave upon her.^[8]

Mark of the Wise Edit

The Mark of the Wise is a horizontal arc above a dot, and is given for deft decision-making and the ability to maintain leadership under pressure.^[13] Hakoda received this mark, and years later, so did his son, Sokka, for steering the boat as well as for leading Aang and Katara wisely through the rough waters by instructing them on what to do.^[8]

Kyoshi Warriors Edit

The warriors of Kyoshi Island have a strict garb they wear for battle and training.^[14] This uniform, which included facial war paint, was designed to resemble the attire that Avatar Kyoshi wore during her life, and the face paint itself was meant strike fear into the hearts of their opponents.^[11]

Other examples Edit

• Headhunter, one of the earthbending wrestlers in Earth Rumble VI, donned face paint for his battle.^[6]
• The Sun Warrior chief sported red paint on the upper half of his head, and this curved inward above his nose. Below his eyes was a strip of white paint that marked the lowest reach of the markings. Other tribesmen also had face paint, but their patterns were much more simplistic and often limited to red lines on the sides of the face.^[15]

References Edit

↑ 1.0 1.1 From older Avatar: The Last Airbender official site, originally on Nick.com (link). No longer updated. ↑ Throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender. ↑ "Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. July 19, 2008. No. 21, Book Three: Fire ↑ "Avatar Day". John O'Bryan (writer) & Lauren MacMullan (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. April 28, 2006. No. 5, Book Two: Earth ↑ "The Boiling Rock, Part 1". May Chan (writer) & Joaquim Dos Santos (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. July 16, 2008. No. 14, Book Three: Fire ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The Blind Bandit". Michael Dante DiMartino (writer) & Ethan Spaulding (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. May 5, 2006. No. 6, Book Two: Earth ↑ "The Runaway". Joshua Hamilton (writer) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. November 2, 2007. No. 7, Book Three: Fire ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Bato of the Water Tribe". Ian Wilcox (writer) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. October 7, 2005. No. 15, Book One: Water ↑ "The Waterbending Scroll". John O'Bryan (writer) & Anthony Lioi (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. April 29, 2005. No. 9, Book One: Water ↑ "Jet". James Eagan (writer) & Dave Filoni (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. May 6, 2005. No. 10, Book One: Water ↑ 11.0 11.1 From older Avatar: The Last Airbender official site, originally on Nick.com (link). No longer updated. ↑ "The Siege of the North, Part 1". Aaron Ehasz (writer) & Lauren MacMullan (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. December 2, 2005. No. 19, Book One: Water ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 The Lost Scrolls: Water, page fifty-two of The Lost Scrolls Collection. ↑ "The Warriors of Kyoshi". Nick Malis (writer) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. March 4, 2005. No. 4, Book One: Water ↑ "The Firebending Masters". John O'Bryan (writer) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. July 15, 2008. No. 13, Book Three: Fire

See also Edit

• Fashion in the World of Avatar

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