Order of the White Lotus



Who knocks at the garden gate? One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries.

The Order of the White Lotus is a secret society that seems to transcend national boundaries. They communicate membership through Pai Sho 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.

Iroh, a lover of Pai Sho, is a Grand Master of the order and has always said, "Pai Sho is more than just a game." It is suggested that Sokka's sword master, Piandao, is a member of this order, as his parting gift to Sokka is the White Lotus tile. Also, the hilt of Sokka's sword has the sign of the White Lotus, another sign that Piandao is a member. On the doors of his house there is also a giant White Lotus sign.

There is a possibility that Monk Gyatso, Aang's Airbending mentor, was a member of the Order of the White Lotus. In the episode "The Storm" he is shown playing Pai Sho and using the White Lotus tile.

It is possible that Sokka has been recruited in the Order of the White Lotus after Sokka's Master. When Sokka and the others are leaving Piandao's home the butler comes out to give Sokka a White Lotus tile, a gift from Piandao. What their goals are is uncertain although when Iroh introduces himself there is a reference to "the ancient ways".

It is possible that this name came from the name of the group called the "The Order of the White Lotus", which was a group that caused an uprising during the Chinese Qing Dynasty. This may mean that there is a plan to overthrow the Fire Nation's, or more specifically, Firelord Ozai's rule and bring peace to the world, but this is highly speculative.



Known Members

 * Iroh
 * Fung
 * Piandao

Unconfirmed Members

 * Monk Gyatso
 * Sokka