Top-knot


 * For the similar hairstyle used in the Water Tribes, see Warrior’s Wolf Tail.



Top-knots are a popular hairstyle worn by men in the World of Avatar. They are most commonly worn by people in the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation.

This article should be about top-knots, not headpieces

Earth Kingdom
Many Earth Kingdom citizens wear top-knots, most commonly in the countryside or small towns. In Omashu, they wear small green turbans, while in Ba Sing Se, they generally don queues. Top-knots in the Earth Kingdom are generally much larger than those worn in the Fire Nation, and they are typically worn with an unadorned green metal ring. The exception, of course, are generals of the Earth Kingdom, who wear all their clothes highly decorated to show their position, and have large elaborate top-knot rings.

Fire Nation
In the Fire Nation, almost all men everywhere and of all classes wear top-knots. In the Fire Nation, top-knots are generally smaller and thinner. There are various styles of top-knots in the Fire Nation. Lower and middle class citizens appear to wear top-knots plain, tied with a little red material or with a tiny flame decorative piece on top. Nobles and other important people may have more decorative pieces.

The top-knot is a sign of honor in the Fire Nation. After becoming fugitives from the Fire Nation, Zuko and Iroh cut off their top-knots and threw them into a creek to symbolize their rejection of their homeland and the beginning of their true exile. The Firebending master Jeong Jeong also had a top-knot, as shown on his wanted poster, but as Zuko's hair grew out to look just like Jeong Jeong's current appearance, it became clear that Jeong Jeong also cut off his top-knot in his rejection of the Fire Nation.

Trivia

 * A top knot in Japanese culture acts as a chonmage. It is said to assist the samurai in keeping his helmet in place.
 * Sumo wrestlers may also wear chonmage, but only when done by a tokoyama (hair dresser employed by the Japanese Sumo Association) and if they are sekitori (A sumo in one of the top two professional divisions).
 * Top knots also may have been derived off of ancient Chinese fashion before Manchurian rule.