Firebending

Firebending, the pyrokinetic ability to create and control fire, is one of the four elemental Bending Arts. The people of the Fire Nation, as well as the lesser known Sun Warrior Tribe, practice this type of bending.

Fire is the element of power, consisting of overpowering force tempered by the unflinching will to accomplish tasks and desires. However, the recently militaristic Fire Nation twisted this into Firebending being fueled by rage, hate and anger. Firebending draws its power from the sun, and the first human Firebenders learned their techniques from the dragons.

Firebending is notable for its intensive attacking style and general lack of adequate defense moves, although some notable Firebenders utilize creative defensive moves. For example, Jeong Jeong can create fire walls, and Zuko can easily block and shoot down incoming objects.

Notable Firebenders

 * † indicates deceased.

Origin


It has been revealed that Firebenders learned Firebending from the sacred dragons that had once populated their land. The first people to learn from the dragons were the Sun Warriors. In the remains of their once great civilization, Zuko and Aang discovered that Firebending represents energy and life, not rage and anger as the modern Fire Nation would have its citizens believe.

Firebenders draw their power from the sun and other solar objects. A solar eclipse has the potential to completely negate a Firebender's power, revealing a direct connection between the sun and Firebending. Additionally, after defeating Katara at the rise of the sun, during the Siege of the North, Zuko stated that "You rise with the moon, I rise with the sun", further emphasizing and demonstrating the sun's importance to Firebending. Firebenders are also said to draw power from volcanic energy and lightning, though this has never been seen in the series.

Based on the Chinese text of Jeong Jeong's wanted poster, the word "Firebending" is written as 制火朮, roughly translated as "the method of controlling fire".

Fighting Style


Firebending moves are based mainly on the style of Northern Shaolin kung fu, but with a few techniques from Northern Seven Star Praying Mantis. These martial arts feature quick, successive attacks that exert extreme power for just a moment (much like an explosion, called ging lik). It optimizes a strong continuous offense, sacrificing defense for greater power, the principle behind a preemptive strike, making Firebending the most aggressive of the four bending arts.

Firebenders use their internal body heat as a source of their bending. This facet of Firebending is in sharp contrast to the other bending arts, which manipulate already present sources of their element (though Firebenders can also control or enhance flames nearby). Unlike other bending disciplines, Firebending has few defensive moves aside from blocking and dodging, although master Firebenders are able to create walls of fire to absorb incoming attacks or shoot down incoming projectiles.

Firebending uses concentrated barrages of fire to overwhelm opponents before striking a fatal blow. Swift, whirling kicks and punches generate diverse shapes for offensive attacks.

Circular motion also seems to be a crucial element to the skill as it seems to be a precession to "power up" the Firebender's flames. When creating lightning, the Firebenders often move their arms in slow, circular motions, similar to Waterbenders but with more tension. As said before, whirling kicks or punches are used many times in the series to create arcs, or just to power their bending.

According to Iroh, fire is the element of power.

Firebending Abilities
Fireballs: A basic ability; jabs and punches produce miniature fireballs and missiles of flame. These can be charged up (refer to Charged Attacks) to create larger, slower bursts, or swift repetitive strikes to keep opponents off balance.



Fire Streams: Another basic Firebending ability, Firebenders can shoot continuous streams of fire from their fingertips, fists, palms, or legs. These streams can be widened to create flame-thrower like techniques. Fire Nation soldiers are often seen using this technique to damage or destroy villages or towns.

Blazing Rings & Arcs: Spinning kicks or sweeping arm movements create rings and arcs to slice larger, more widely spaced, or evasive targets. Zuko used a circular motion with his feet to create an expanding ring and successfully knocked Azula down during their Agni Kai.

Fire Bomb: A more short range attack, a Firebender can create a flame at the end of a limb, and thrust the flame down in an explosive burst. Zuko was seen doing this once, and both Zuko and Aang were seen doing this at the beginning of their routine. Ozai used an extremely powerful version of this to break through Aang's Earth Shield.

Fire Daggers: Creating blowtorch-like jets from the fist or fingertips to use as close range sword-like attacks. However, these lack the ability to actually block physical objects. Prince Zuko was the only person seen to use this technique, and it was only for a short time. It seems that he abandoned it by the middle of Book II: Earth, possibly because of it's inefficiency.

Fire Whip: An extension of a fire stream, this continuous stream of flame can be used as a whip. Zuko used a larger version of this in his fight in Ba Sing Se, creating streams of great length for continuous mid- to long-range combat and using it to combat Katara's water whip technique.

Fire Blade: A more advanced version of a blazing arc, Firebenders can narrow their fire arcs to create thin blades of fire that they can launch at their opponents. Azula used this technique when she cut open a wall. Zuko used this to free Azula from Katara's water whips. For a very skilled bender.

Fire Lashes: An even further extension of the Fire Whip/Stream, Firebenders can create a long lash of Fire, and bring them down on their enemies, like Azula did to Aang, or create smaller, multiple lashes and envelop an area with fire, like Zuko did.



Fire Circle: A technique demonstrated by the Sun Warriors. They created a circle of fire and suspended it in the air for an extended period of time.

The only time these are seen, the circles were made with the Original Flame. It may be that this technique is exclusively used in the Sun Warriors' religious rituals and has no use in combat, as it's never seen anywhere else.

Shield of Fire: Creates a protective fire shield around the front of, or the whole body of, a Firebender that can deflect attacks and explosions. May be a less powerful version of the Wall of Flames.

Heat Control: Certain advanced Firebenders appear to have the ability to control heat. Using this technique, Firebenders can heat liquids, like water or tea, heat metal to scalding temperatures, or melt ice. Controlling heat may be related to Sozin's Heat Absorption technique.



Blocking Fire: A skilled Firebender can diffuse and extinguish an oncoming fire blast from another Firebender with a swift kick, jab, or defensive movement, allowing them to stop attacks.

The Dancing Dragon: This Firebending form was learned from the sacred statues that were hidden atop the ancient civilization of the Sun Warriors. It involves a more fluid and natural form of Firebending. It is a simple, yet possibly very powerful Firebending form, as it also brings advantages for more skilled Firebenders; upon integrating it into his own style, Zuko's abilities increased to the point that he was able to duel evenly with Azula, successfully dispelling her attacks instead of overcoming them or trying to endure them. It is also one of the few Firebending techniques with defensive capabilities.

There is a circular nature to the technique, which is unusual in Firebending; the only other known techniques to incorporate smooth, circular movements are the Fire Circle and lightning generation. It is possible that these unique forms of Firebending relate to dragons.

Firebending Master Level
Fire Disks: A whirling disk of flame, used at long range. Only Azula has shown the ability to create these while in pursuit of Aang in Omashu.

Charged Attacks: Certain Firebenders have been shown charging their attacks before releasing them, allowing them to create enormous blasts of fire. Zuko and Iroh used a combined charged attack against Aang prior to their first encounter. Zhao may have charged some of his attacks before releasing them when he fought Aang. Azula used this skill against Aang while they were battling atop the Drill. Zuko was shown using this technique against both Aang and Katara while fighting in the Crystal Catacombs. Iroh also used a charged fire blast against Dai Li agents in the same episode. At the Battle of Wulong Forest, using comet-enhanced Firebending, Fire Lord Ozai and several Imperial Firebenders unleashed charged fire blasts of enormous size from airships in an attempt to carry out their scorched earth plan, and Ozai later used it again to break Aang's rock sphere during their battle. Iroh used a charged attack in the Liberation of Ba Sing Se to form the largest fire blast in the series to destroy the city's thick Outer Wall. Fire Lord Sozin may have used a charged blast when attacking Avatar Roku in the Fire Nation Royal Palace.



Wall of Flames: One of Firebending's few defensive techniques, either a situated explosion or controlled inferno, this wall of concentrated flames acts as a barrier to incoming attacks. It may be a more powerful version of a Fire Shield. It not only protects against attacks, but when used right, can be used to stealthily escape from foes. Azula once used it to deflect four simultaneous attacks from all four elements to provide herself a stealthy escape. Zuko used it to stop a combustion attack (although he was still being pushed back by the force). Master Jeong Jeong also used this method to stop a group of Fire Navy patrol boats; so precise was his control that his flames burned on water. He later created another wall/shield to deflect four Firebending attacks, and escaped from Zhao. Later in, Jeong Jeong used the technique to push back several Fire Nation tanks, which shows that it can also be an offensive move. It should be noted that at that instance his Firebending was being powered by Sozin's Comet. Very powerfull.



Heat Redirection: Only seen performed by Fire Lord Sozin, the technique may be unique to him or simply an advanced technique. Heat absorption allows for the absorption of heat from one hand and passing through one's body and out the other hand. Used to cool down the lava during the eruption that destroyed Avatar Roku's town. It appears to operate on a similar principle to Iroh's redirection of lightning technique.



Fire Augmentation: Firebenders can also control the size and intensity of any nearby flames and can draw them in and manipulate them at will. Zuko was the first one to show mastery over this technique, when he augmented the flame of the candles before him when his uncle brought him bad news. Avatar Roku used this method to protect himself and counter an attack by Zhao and his soldiers while Aang channeled his spirit. Jeong Jeong augments the fire in his candles while he is discouraging Aang. When Azula scared Chan, the torch behind Azula also fell under her Firebending, as it burned bright blue. Zuko augmented a campfire in the same episode while confronting his anger. A simpler example is when Fire Lords are in the throne room. When Ozai and Azulon got angry, the flames rose up higher and burned more rapidly. Another example was when Zuko was attacking Aang in Ozai's beach house.



Jet Propulsion: Skilled Firebending masters are able to conjure huge amounts of flame to propel themselves at high speeds on the ground or through the air. It was first demonstrated by Azula during her battle with Aang in the Crystal Catacombs. During the fight, Azula released the flames she used to propel herself horizontally, which blasted Aang backwards. Azula used this skill to propel herself through the air over the boiling lake, as she was pursuing Zuko, Sokka and Suki when they were escaping the prison. In "The Southern Raiders" when Azula was knocked off an airship, she used a smaller burst of fire to propel herself on to a cliff, saving herself from falling to her death. In the series finale, Ozai and Jeong Jeong were shown to be capable of utilizing this skill with much more proficiency than Azula had ever shown, though this was possibly due to the arrival of Sozin's Comet enhancing their abilities. Azula and Zuko both executed this technique while powered by the comet during their Agni Kai.

Pressure Control: An advanced form of Heat Control; the Firebender superheats the air around him, causing a rise in air pressure in small, enclosed areas with explosive results. Zuko used this to escape Katara's Ice Dome.

Avatar Level Firebending


Lava/Magma Bending: Avatar-level Firebenders are able to bend lava and magma, although not with the same ease with which Waterbenders bend water. They can even cause dormant volcanoes to erupt at will. This ability contrasts sharply with other types of Firebending, as lava and magma are superheated physical substances, rather than a chemical reaction. This ability has only been demonstrated by Avatar Roku, Avatar Kyoshi and an unnamed Fire Nation Avatar, suggesting that an ordinary Firebender would be incapable of performing the technique.

Some suggest that this kind of bending can only be done by Avatars because it involves mastery of Earthbending (since lava/magma is molten rock) and possibly a good knowledge of Waterbending (as this art would require fluid movements) on top of Firebending.



Long-Range Multiple Fire Whips: An Avatar-level Firebender can produce fire whips, the most being five at once (so far). They have very long ranges, seen when Aang used the technique from hundreds of feet above Ozai. This may have been a result of his Firebending being augmented by Sozin's Comet, and/or because he was in the Avatar State at the time. Each fire whip is also very wide and moves in a similar fashion to squid or octopus tentacles. They have enough destructive power to demolish large rock formations. This could be the technique Shyu was referring to when he said that, "only a fully realized Avatar can open the sanctuary doors alone."

Special Techniques


Blue Fire: Firebenders can control the intensity of their Firebending, reflected in the color of the flames. These blue flames are more efficient than the standard yellow and orange flames produced by lesser forms of Firebending, channeling more energy into the attack and likely traveling further without dissipating.

Only Azula has demonstrated blue Firebending. While not to be confused with lightning, blue fire also seems to possess more physical force and produces a combustive effect more intense than that of normal fire, likely due to the fact that it superheats the air around it as it strikes (the same process that creates thunder).

When the two dragons unleashed a vortex of fire, several other colors of fire beyond the yellow, orange and blue flames previously seen could be seen within it, including white, purple, green, pink and red fire. It is possible that these colors of flame may also have special properties.



Breath of Fire: The Breath of Fire involves the user Firebending out of his or her mouth, mixing air from the lungs with the flame creating a wider, hotter blast. This has been exhibited by multiple individuals, including Ozai, Iroh, Zuko, Azula and Aang. It was the employment of this Firebending style in the midst of battle that earned General Iroh his nickname, "The Dragon of the West". It is alluded that it was from Iroh that Zuko learned how to create his own Breath of Fire (though his is smaller and less intense, while Iroh's produces the force of a Fire Stream). With its wide, encompassing range, the technique allows for staving off multiple opponents and is also shown to be able to instantaneously warm the body even under extremely cold temperatures. It is also useful in a stealth sense, as it requires no hand motions and can thus be impossible to predict. Tea might serve as an instant intensifier, as implied by Iroh in the "The Crossroads of Destiny".



Combustion: The unique, trademark ability of the Combustion Man. Unlike normal Firebending, this does not produce a flame directly from the body. Instead, Combustion Man concentrated his energy through his tattooed third eye to super-heat the air around himself or at a great distance, producing situated explosions with a great deal of precision. This technique is extremely effective and very destructive, capable of use at close and long-range; it can completely disintegrate hill-sized boulders and instantaneously evaporate large bodies of water with ease. This is probably due to the energy being entirely focused into creating the explosion, without wasting energy maintaining a long-range jet of flame. However, the technique has the potential to be just as hazardous to the user as it can be to their surroundings, as the Combustion Man blew off his own right arm and leg due to his initial lack of control over the newly discovered ability in his youth. The sole weakness of combustion is its reliance on an uninterrupted flow of chi, as blocking the chi paths in the forehead from where the combustion beam issues forth causes potentially fatal backfires.

Enhanced Firebending


Due to its solar sympathy, Firebending is slightly stronger during the day, being at its most powerful around noon. With an extraterrestrial heat source much closer to the planet than the sun, in particular Sozin's Comet, Firebending is enhanced dramatically. A Firebender under the effects of the comet can produce much larger, powerful flames, which create greater destruction and can extend much further than usual. Experienced Firebenders can use the Comet's power to sustain flight, generate exceptionally powerful lightning bolts and perform other feats of Firebending they would usually be incapable of.

Opposite Bending Art
Firebending is the opposing art to Waterbending, though it shows many similar facets of self-control, great diversity, and variation in strength due to external forces and strong emotions. Firebenders use quick strong punches and kicks to shoot fire, while Waterbenders use smooth movements and elegant turns and spins to return the momentum of the opponents' attacks. Firebenders attack first, while Waterbenders wait and turn their target's attacks against them. The two bending arts are also opposed by their celestial power source; Firebending is fueled by the sun, Waterbending by the moon. This is best demonstated during a duel fought between Zuko and Katara; at night, during the full moon, Katara quickly battered Zuko into submission and froze him against a wall; however, at sunrise, Zuko effortlessly destroyed the ice holding him in place and defeated Katara with several short fire blasts.

Like all bending arts, Firebending is balanced out as to not be more or less powerful than the other arts. The series has repeatedly illustrated that it's the skill and prowess of the user that determines victory.

Weapons
Firebenders sometimes incorporate weapons into Firebending, as shown by Zuko's utilization of Firebending in conjunction with his Dual Dao Swords, shaping and channeling the flames down the blade of his weapons. It is unknown if any other weapons can be used in conjunction with Firebending apart from tonfa, which utilizes quick jabs for offense, much like Firebending itself.

Styles
The art of Firebending overall draws heir from three ancient martial arts, each with their own separate moves and varying results.


 * Xing Yi blends strikes from the classic "Seven Stars": hands, feet, elbows, hips, knees, shoulders and head.
 * Southern Dragon Claw mirrors a dragon swooping down on its prey. The form contains close-range techniques for seizing and holding that make use of the hand.
 * Northern Shaolin, which can be any number of fighting styles related to (but not encompassing) Long Fist boxing. Kicks are meant to be extended as far as possible without sacrificing balance.

Lightning

 * Lightning: Also known as "the cold-blooded fire", certain powerful Firebenders are able to generate and manipulate lightning by separating the yin and yang energies. Lightning is considered the most powerful Firebending technique, and its use is available only to a select few Firebending prodigies and masters.



Lightning generation is the ability to generate and direct lightning. It requires peace of mind and a complete absence of emotion. Only three Firebenders in the series have shown the ability to use it: Azula, Iroh and Fire Lord Ozai.
 * Lightning Generation

After observing the re-directing techniques of Waterbending, Iroh developed a technique to redirect the course of lightning strikes by absorbing it through one arm, guiding it through the stomach, and out the other arm. Only he, Aang, and Zuko have shown the ability to redirect lightning.
 * Lightning Redirection

Iroh is the only known Firebender to perform both techniques.

Weaknesses
Poor Breath Control: It is said that true Firebending power comes not from physical size nor strength, but rather from the very control of one's breath. This is shown by Iroh, who, at least for most of the series, is a fat, squat man with no exceptional strength or physique. However, this doesn't stop him from remaining one of the most powerful Firebenders in the world. Firebender discipline stresses self-restraint and breath control as a means of directing and containing the fire manifested. Poor breath control means dangerously poor control of any fire generated. For this reason, breathing exercises are one of the most critical first steps for beginning Firebenders.

Though anger, rage and other intense emotions can amplify the power of Firebending, it can lead to dangerous explosions or wildfires and can also cause any nearby flames to burn out of control. The enlightened Firebending master Jeong Jeong repeatedly stressed this importance during his instruction of Aang, who accidentally burned Katara when he refused to listen.

Lack of Drive: In order to Firebend properly, one must have "inner fire", his or her drive, without which one's Firebending becomes weak. After joining the Avatar, Zuko's Firebending became noticeably weaker, because for three years, hunting the Avatar was his drive. Aang, being traumatized by his first experience with Firebending, was too afraid to "give it some juice", as said by Zuko. Both overcame their problems after meeting with the masters Ran and Shaw, who taught them the true meaning of Firebending, restoring their drives.

Lack of Defense: The major combat weakness behind the applied art of Firebending is its confrontational nature. Due to its aggressiveness and pursuit of continuous assault, it traditionally lacks basic defensive techniques, which can leave an inexperienced bender considerably vulnerable to enemy counterattacks, though masters such as Jeong Jeong can effectively use Firebending for defense. It also consumes a vast amount of energy leaving the bender at a considerable disadvantage in a prolonged battle. A common mark of a Firebending master is the ability to sustain attacks for long periods.

Solar Eclipse: Its connection to the sun results in a lessening of strength during the night and a complete loss of Firebending during a solar eclipse (see Day of Black Sun, on which it occurs).

Extreme Cold: Cold temperatures reduce a Firebender's abilities; the prison on the Boiling Rock used insulated chambers (the coolers) and piped in cold air as a punishment for those prisoners who used Firebending. While in disguise, Sokka was told by a guard that Chit Sang "won't be Firebending in there". However, this can be overcome, as Zuko was shown using his breath of fire to stay warm while he detached the cooler as part of Sokka's escape plan.

Poor Self Control: As shown by Zhao and mentioned by Jeong Jeong, if the Firebender lacks focus their powers can go out of control.

Other Circumstances: A Firebender's power may decrease in any situation which might extinguish their flames, such as being underwater or caught in the rain. Zuko overcame this while underwater in the North Pole by melting ice by heating it with direct contact.

Elemental Symbol


The symbol for fire and Firebending is a stylized, tulip-shaped flame forked into three tongues that curve outward like flower petals, with a spiral at the base. The symbol is featured in connection with Fire Nation spirituality.

Spirituality and Firebending


Approximately 100 years before the start of the series, Fire Lord Sozin launched a genocidal attack on the Air Nomads, succeeding in part due to the power granted him by a passing comet. Over the course of a century, the war has continued, and under the rule of Sozin's grandson, Fire Lord Ozai, the Fire Nation saw the return of "Sozin's Comet." As prophesied, the comet's immense energy granted Ozai the power to conquer the entire world. The only threat to Ozai's campaign was the current Avatar, Aang. Aang succeeded in his quest to defeat the Fire Lord, and he satisfied his spiritual needs by not taking Ozai's life but simply by removing his ability to Firebend.

The Fire Nation's religious clerics, the Fire Sages, once served Avatar Roku, but they were eventually forced to endorse the imperial war. Fire Sage Shyu is shown as the only Fire Sage to remain true to his allegiance to the Avatar, a trait he inherited from his father and grandfather.

A Firebender's powers seem to increase during the day in the presence of the sun. Because of this solar sympathy, their powers are weakened at night and a solar eclipse can temporarily negate their powers entirely, much like Waterbenders' powers are negated during a lunar eclipse. Aside from their main power source, the sun, Firebenders also draw their energy from other heat sources, including volcanic activity, lightning, and passing comets (if they somehow become a heat source, such as Sozin's Comet, which ignites when it brushes the atmosphere). A Firebender's power is intensified in warmer climates and is at its peak when situated near their native equatorial homelands during the summer.

Firebending's distinctiveness is in its uncontrolled nature; fire, if left to itself, will consume everything it can. Firebending is thus a matter of controlling an element rather than directing it. Many Firebenders are intoxicated by their power, while more prudent ones feel cursed by it (much like Jeong Jeong). However, its roots and nature are fully explored by Ran and Shaw and the Sun Warriors; properly controlled, fire is life and industry, comforting and creative.

Agni Kai
Among Firebenders, or at least those of the upper-class, disputes of honor are settled by a challenge to an Agni Kai, or "fire duel", a traditional Firebender duel that is centuries old. Such a duel is conducted in an open-air arena, and it may be witnessed by spectators. The traditional time for an Agni Kai is sunset or sunrise, although it is not a requirement. While not an explicit condition, in the post-Sozin Fire Nation Agni Kais have become almost exclusively duels to the death. The victor may spare the defeated, but it is generally looked upon as an act of weakness rather than generosity. The duel is traditionally fought bare-chested and the contestants may have one or more "seconds", i.e. people who stand around in that person's corner of the field and may attend to their champion before and after the duel (or bear them away in case they die fighting). The opening pose of an Agni Kai is squatting with back turned to the opponent. During this phase, both contestants traditionally wear a red-and-black shawl over their bare shoulders, which is dropped upon turning to face each other. It is considered dishonorable to attack from behind in an Agni Kai, especially for a defeated opponent that has been spared by the victor. Notable Agni Kais fought during the series include Zuko's first public Agni Kai, against his father, the Agni Kai between Zuko and Zhao, and most notably the Comet Enhanced Agni Kai between Zuko and Azula, which was fought for the right to the throne.

The Last Airbender
When giving his input on Firebenders in the film, M. Night said that he made the choice to have the Firebenders in the film only be able to control pre-existing fire, so as to avoid them being 'overpowered'. However, this puts Firebenders at a great disadvantage when in the Northern Water Tribe; it would also make an Agni Kai quite difficult.

It was stated at the end of the film that the power of Sozin's Comet is required for all Firebenders to be able to generate fire "from their own chi", just like the "Highest of Firebenders", like Iroh was in the movie. Thus, when the Fire Nation begins invading a city or town, they bombard it with fire balls so as to set fires, and give their Firebenders a source. Only the most skilled Firebenders have the ability to create fire from nothing but their own chi; they also show the ability to not be hurt by fire.

Trivia

 * In "The Siege of the North, Part 2" with "Avatar Extras" bonus commentary, one of the commentary bubbles stated that close quarters Firebending and distanced Firebending combat use completely different styles of Firebending. Tae Kwon Do in particular was used often during books two and three.
 * In "The Last Airbender" movie, Firebenders (except some masters such as Iroh) do not have the ability to create fire, but can still manipulate already existing fire and for all Firebenders to create fire they need the power of the Sozin's Comet. Also, they appear to be unharmed by fire, as Iroh is seen creating fire on his hand.
 * Avatar Extras claim that Iroh, Azula and Ozai are the only Firebenders in the world capable of harnessing and using lightning.
 * Iroh is the only known character with the ability to both generate and redirect lightning.
 * The Firebending salute is meant to look like a flame.