Palanquin

Palanquins are a form of transport used by the members of nobility of various cultures in the World of Avatar. A minimum of four servants are needed to carry the palanquin, though it is not unusual to see several others assisting, depending on the importance of the figure inside the palanquin.

Fire Nation
The Fire Nation Royal Family uses these as their main source of transportation. The Fire Nation considers it a member of the Royal Family's place to always ride in one when traveling outside the palace grounds. By insistence of Royal Servants, Zuko was taken to Mai's House in one, despite it being directly in front of the Royal Palace. The palanquin that Azula used when visiting Omashu and when she attended Ozai's coronation as Phoenix King is similar to Zuko's, which probably means that they are the typical palanquins used by the Fire Nation's Royal Family. Ozai also was transported in one, but his was much larger and more ornate. However, as there was a phoenix on top of the palanquin, it might have just been constructed for Ozai's coronation as Phoenix King.



Earth Kingdom
The Earth King has also been seen riding in one, implying similar cultural standards.

Connection
The litter is a class of wheelless vehicles, a type of human-powered transport, for the transport of persons. Examples of litter vehicles include jiao (China), sedan chairs (England), palanquin (also known as palki) (India), and gama (South Korea). Smaller litters may take the form of open chairs or beds carried by two or more men, some being enclosed for protection from the elements. Larger litters, for example those of the Chinese emperors, may resemble small rooms upon a platform borne upon the shoulders of a dozen or more men. To most efficiently carry a litter, porters will attempt to transfer the load to their shoulders, either by placing the carrying poles upon their shoulders, or the use of a yoke to transfer the load from the carrying poles to the shoulder. Also the rickshaw is a close descendent of this transport.