Water Tribe markings



The Water Tribe markings are used in Water Tribe tradition and are placed on the forehead to signify different events, such as successfully ice dodging, or being marked for a special mission.

History
After Sokka and Katara were reunited with a good family friend, Bato, he agreed to take Sokka ice dodging as it was the rite of passage for fourteen year old Water Tribe members and Sokka had yet to go. Since there was no ice near the area that the group was near, Sokka would instead be dodging rocks, and was joined by Katara and Aang.

Later, during winter of 100 ASC, the Fire Nation threatened to invade the Northern Water Tribe. To mark off members for a special mission, Chief Arnook placed a mark on the foreheads of any who volunteered, warning that these people may not return back.

Mark of the Trusted


The Mark of the Trusted is a horizontal arc.

While ice dodging, Aang controlled the jib; this position related to trust, as without his steady hand, the whole crew would go down. After successfully completing the ritual, Bato bestowed onto the airbender the Mark of the Trusted. After Aang received his mark, he immediately wiped it off his brow and admitted that he did not deserve it, as he had been hiding the map to Hakoda's fleet, a document which Bato had been expecting. This caused an outraged Sokka and a hurt Katara to briefly leave Team Avatar, and instead prepare to journey with Bato to see their father.

Mark of the Brave


The Mark of the Brave is a crescent shaped mark that resembles the moon.

During Sokka's rite of passage, Katara held the position of bravery as she needed to secure the mainsail and thus prevail against the brutal winds. Following her successful completion of the ritual, Bato bestowed the Mark of the Brave upon her.

Mark of the Wise


The Mark of the Wise is a horizontal arc above a dot.

During Sokka's rite of passage, his responsibility was to steer the boat, as well as leading Aang and Katara wisely through the rough waters by instructing them what to do and when to do it. After successfully completing the ritual, Bato bestowed upon Sokka the Mark of the Wise, which was the same mark Hakoda had received years before.

War Markings
[[File:Sokka's_war_marking.png receiving his war marking.]]

The war mark is three zig-zag lines in red ink.

As the Fire Nation arrived at the Northern Water Tribe, Arnook called a meeting about what their plans would be. He called forth members of the tribe to volunteer for a special mission, but warned that there was a chance that some of them would not return from battle. Sokka and several others volunteered, and were given this mark so that they would be identified. The special mission was an invasion of Admiral Zhao's ship, however, Sokka was taken off of the mission and told to protect Princess Yue.