Era of Raava



The era before the Avatar refers to the events prior to the beginning of the Avatar Cycle. The sole known survivor to still remember this time is the lion turtle.

History
Before the spirit of the planet assumed a mortal form in the body of the Avatar, people did not bend the four elements, rather, they bent the energy within themselves.

Later, the people parted ways and started living in four divided nations. After observing certain animals capable of bending an element or the effect of the moon's pull on the ocean, the people mimicked those actions and eventually mastered the art of controlling an element themselves. Gradually, part of the populace of each region started to bend a specific element. The Air Nomads observed the flying bison and began to bend the air. As the Air Nomads controlled the air, the people residing at the poles learned from the Moon how to bend water and thus became known as the Water Tribes. The blind Badgermoles passed on the skill of earthbending to the people in the Earth Kingdom, and the fire-breathing dragons taught the ancestors of the Fire Nation how to control fire. At this time, the Avatar was incarnated into the world with the unique ability to bend all four elements.

Notable figures

 * The lion turtle
 * Oma
 * Shu

Trivia

 * Conceptually, such a golden age features heavily in most world mythologies, especially in Greek and Chinese myths.
 * If Oma and Shu really were the first earthbenders and the Eternal Flame was really the first fire given to humans, then they must predate the Avatar, because it is said that the Avatar Cycle started in the same instance as the presence of the four bending arts.