In this article, Rylie Revercomb talks about Avatar: The Last Airbender and dives deep into the characteristics of every nation.
Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony... Ah, yes, Avatar. A show that has managed to become one of the most popular sources of entertainment for most teens today, and even their younger siblings. It has been following us around since 2005, and it has not gone away yet. In fact, it won’t for a while, due to a new live-action reboot that Netflix will be releasing this next year. It is a good time to be an Avatar fan. Speaking of which, as a fan, what is the question we wonder most about the show? It’s not who your favorite character is, or which episode is your favorite… No. It is much deeper than that. The real question is: what kind of bender would you be? What element calls to you? People argue over this stuff all the time, and there is not really a clear answer that you can get by just typing your question into your dear pal Google. Fear not! The time has come for answers, and this article is here to deliver. Finally, we will figure out what kind of bender we truly are.
Before we dive into what kind of quiz to take for answers, we need to talk about the four elements in general. Water, Earth, fire, Air. Seems simple enough, right? WRONG. There is so much more to the benders in the Avatar universe than just what kind of element they bend. Each element represents the main emotions, traits, and personalities of the people who are chosen to bend them. It’s like finding out which Hogwarts House you belong in; it is much more complicated than being in Hufflepuff just because you are kind. There are other traits that go into it, as well. And the same applies to the benders in Avatar. This article will first cover the basics of each element before diving into which element you are.
First up is Water, an element that humanity depends on. Without water, we would not be able to live, and the same goes for the Earth and all of its animals. Water is how life thrives. We rely on it. This is perhaps the reason why waterbenders are considered the most reliable out of the four kinds of benders. However, they are not only reliable but also sensitive. Waterbenders are in tune with not only their emotions but others as well. They can feel the things others feel, which also makes them people who are truly genuine. These are the kinds of people who always have your back, who will stand up for you no matter what. There are other traits of waterbenders, too, such as: perfectionism, gracefulness, and empathy above all. However, they also have many weaknesses, and their perfectionist lifestyle can often be their downfall, which is seen in the show. Waterbenders are also highly self-critical and expect a lot of themselves. Overall, this element has a deep sense of community and love that they depend on, and that’s what makes a waterbender.
Second on the list is fire, arguably the most dangerous element. However, this doesn’t mean that fire is bad. The Earth also depends on this element to keep its core warm, and to keep balance. Fire might be death, but it is also life, and we depend on it just as much as we depend on water. However, even though we depend on this element as much as water, that does not mean that they are in any way similar. In fact, they are polar opposites in nature and in personality. Firebenders are filled with pride in themselves, and are independent and strong-willed, rarely relying on others. They are assertive and bold, a stark contrast to the waterbenders' more passive approach to problems. According to an article by EDUAdvisor, A firebender is a “Tenacious, no-nonsense person.” This is also why firebenders are the most productive out of all of the elements. These kinds of people are headstrong, which can be both a strength and a weakness. This is demonstrated many times by a firebender named Zuko in the show, who tends to rush into situations and gets himself in trouble. In the end, a firebender is someone who is fearless, powerful, and bold, which is what makes the firebenders the fiercest of the four.
Third on the list is Earth, another important element in nature. Earth consists of rocks, soil, mountains, the base of our planet. It keeps everything rooted in place. It is a firm foundation. And the earthbenders, similar to their element, are just as unmovable and stubborn as our Earth. These benders are the hardest workers of the four, and they prove again and again to be helpful and dependable, just like the ground we walk on every day. These benders are responsible and trustworthy, and have a strong view of what is right and wrong. Earthbenders are also known as “middlemen”, meaning they are the mediators in arguments or problems between people. According to Quora, Earthbenders are also “Very direct since the earthbender mindset sometimes completely rejects the go-with-the-flow mindset waterbenders have… and the avoidance mindset Airbenders have.” Earthbenders are overall very stubborn, strong-minded, and trustworthy, which makes them the most perseverant benders in the Avatar universe.
Last, but certainly not least, is the element of air. Air is also something humans rely on to live. It brings life to everything. Air is always moving, yet it is calm, which makes it the polar opposite of Earth. These two elements clash, as is seen in the show on numerous occasions. Unlike their Earthbender counterparts, Airbenders are free-spirited, cheerful, and peaceful people. They are not rooted to one place like the Earthbenders. Instead, their goal in life is to be free and not tied down or confined to one place. Airbenders strive to experience new challenges and excitement… But this can also be one of their faults, due to them coming off as careless, reckless, or flighty. Other than being a bit careless every once in a while, the Airbenders are one of the most loved of the benders, as they can easily make friends and win people over with their animated personality and kind-natured spirit. These kinds of benders are charming and enthusiastic, and that is what truly makes an Airbender.
Now that all the benders and their personalities have been stated, it is time to focus on the most important part. Finding out what element you would be. Perhaps you are energetic and free like an Airbender? Or maybe you are a stubborn hard worker like an Earthbender? But maybe you’re more strong-willed and prideful, like a firebender? Or none of the above, and instead you are empathetic and reliable like a waterbender? Well, whatever the case, this is where you get your answer. The best quiz to take is by Paramount+, the company that owns Avatar: The Last Airbender. You can take the quiz here.
That’s it! Hopefully, you have taken the test and discovered what kind of bender you really are, and maybe you even learned a bit about Avatar and the other benders in the process. Now you can finally stop arguing with people over what kind of bender you are. Flameo, Hotman!