Society in the World of Avatar

Society is a major part of life in the World of Avatar. Social classes seem to be based upon titles, wealth, power, and accomplishments. Society differs between nations, as the peaceful Air Nomads are no where near as complicated of a society as the Fire Nation.

Air Nomads
Of all the nations, the Air Nomads seemed to be based the most on equality, as all Air Nomads are monks and nuns. The only known Air Nomad authority was the Council of Elders. While most Air Nomad society is a mystery, it can be assumed that the Air Nomad's government is considered higher than most socially.

Council of Elders
The authority of the Council of Elders is not well known, however, it has been shown that they are not considered royalty, as they do not seem to have any guards, and are never carried around on Palanquins. They are trusted with making difficult decisions, and are likely well respected by their people. Like the Fire Sages, the councils had one Head Monk, who seemed to have more power than other monks.

Average Nomads
It is unknown if any partitions are made between the Air Nomad citizens. It seems, however, that all citizens are considered equal in rights and in society rank.

Water Tribes
Water Tribes society is similar to that of the Air Nomads. It seems to consider all members equal, even the chief. Social classes differ in the Southern Water Tribe and Northern Water Tribe.

Northern Water Tribe
In the Northern Water Tribe, the chief is considered royalty to some extent, as his daughter carries the title, Princess. The chief makes decisions for the tribe, and can likely create and abolish certain laws and customs, arranged marriage, however, doesn't seem to be one of them. Chief Arnook has also stated that he does not have the power to force Master Pakku to take back pupils if he does not want them, even if that pupil is the Avatar.

Southern Water Tribe
In the Southern Water Tribe, chiefdom seems to be less complicated. The chief has the ability to lead his people and make decisions. Unlike Arnook's daughter, Chief Hakoda's children are not considered a Prince or Princess, as Hakoda is not royalty. The chief also can fight battles, and be an average warrior.

Chief's Advisors
In the Northern Water Tribe, the chief has advisors to help him make decisions. They seem to be in a high authority position, as they sit beside the chief during meetings and other events. Even though the chief has more power than them, they are still important members of the Northern Water Tribe society. Known advisors are the tribe's Waterbending master, Pakku, and the chief's daughter, Yue.

Northern Water Tribe
In the Northern Water Tribe, all citizens seem to be equal, as the Northern Water Tribe is not the size of the vast Earth Kingdom or the advanced Fire Nation. It could be arguable that certain warriors, such as Hahn, are higher than an average citizens because of their political position, however, this has never been confirmed.

Southern Water Tribe
In the Southern Water Tribe, nearly everyone, even the chief's children, are considered average civilians. Things may have been different before the tribe was nearly driven to extinction, however, as of now, the tribe has no well developed society. There is no social difference for normal warriors.

Earth Kingdom
The Earth Kingdom enjoys a vast diversity of people. Its social hierarchy can be compared to layers of earth and soil.

Earth King
The Earth King is the King of Ba Sing Se and the ruler of the Earth Kingdom. There were 52 Earth Kings until Ba Sing Se fell to the Fire Nation. The Earth King's palace and seat of government reside in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se. He has the highest authority and social position in the entire kingdom.

Previous Earth Kings have exercised tremendous authority over the kingdom. Recently, the position has declined to a figurehead (as is the circumstance of the 52nd Earth King, Kuei), this incident, however, makes the Earth King seem like even more of a god to his people.

The Earth King's family likely fall under this class, though this has never been confirmed.


 * King of Omashu - Omashu, a largely autonomous city in the Earth Kingdom, also has its own regional king, he however, is not high enough to fall in this social class, as only the sole leader of the Earth Kingdom executes this title.

Council of Five
The Council of Five is a group of the five most powerful generals of the Earth Kingdom. They are held in high respect. The Council of Five have very high authority, and obviously have an extremely high social status, as they control the entire military.

Nobles
Not much is known about the nobles, but it is presumed that they attain their status through birthright or by marriage. They lead lives of wealth and luxury.

Many nobles live within the walls of Ba Sing Se. There are presumably other nobles scattered throughout the Earth Kingdom, though the only example is the family of Toph Bei Fong in Gaoling, who has many privileges in different parts of the kingdom.

Middle Class Citizens
Not much has been revealed about the middle class populace of the Earth Kingdom. It has been shown, however, that they do retain some power, as Long Feng was born as a middle class citzen, and he eventually was able to secure a position as the Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se. Middle class citzens are also able to afford a education, as Ba Sing Se University was located in Ba Sing Se's middle ring.

Unskilled Workers
The majority of the Earth Kingdom consists of this social class. Farmers, craftsman, unskilled soldiers, and refugees fall under this category. Ba Sing Se has a ring to contain all these people, the Lower Ring, which is the most densely populated and crime filled ring.

Unskilled laborers have no special tie to royalty, as they are considered mere peasants. The War caused many more people of the Earth Kingdom to become poverty stricken refugees.

Fire Nation
Fire Nation society is very structured. Most of its people are under strict rule.

Fire Lord
The Fire Lord has absolute power, and is the supreme ruler of the entire Fire Nation. Anything they proclame becomes law. The Fire Lord even has the power to deem members of the Royal Family traitors. The Fire Lord has the highest social rank in the Fire Nation.

Recently, the title of Fire Lord has been misused by the power hungry Fire Nation, as Fire Lord Sozin used his position to destroy an entire race of people and force the Fire Sages to be loyal only to the Royal Family. When Fire Lord Zuko rose to power, however, he declared the war over and ushered in a new era of peace, likely making the title of Fire Lord less of a dictatorship.

Nobles
Many nobles have been seen, like Ta Min, Princess Ursa, Mai (and her family), and Ty Lee. Fire Nation customs may be similar to other societies in that nobility can only marry nobility (or royalty), which is highly likely due to the strictness and formality of Fire Nation culture.

It is believed that Avatar Roku was also nobility due to his friendship with Sozin, something that wouldn't be accepted if Roku was anything less, as well as his marriage to Ta Min, as it is custom that nobility can only marry other nobility or royalty.