Firebending



Firebending is a term for a mystical martial art practiced by the Fire Nation. A moiety of the Fire Nation, Firebenders, as its practitioners are known, are heirs to the pyrokinetic ability to create and control fire. An exclusive few also express the ability to generate and manipulate lightning.

Notable Firebenders

 * Avatar Yangchen
 * Avatar Kuruk
 * Avatar Kyoshi
 * Avatar Roku
 * Avatar Aang
 * Fire Lord Sozin
 * Fire Lord Azulon
 * Fire Lord Ozai
 * General Iroh
 * Prince Zuko
 * Princess Azula
 * Jeong Jeong
 * Admiral Zhao
 * Combustion Man

Origin


Source: Sun

Learned From: Dragons

It has been revealed that firebenders learned firebending from the sacred dragons that populated their land. From them, they learned that firebending represents harmony and life, not rage and anger as the modern Fire Nation would have its citizens believe.

Firebenders draw their powers 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, while battling with Katara during The Siege of the North, Zuko stated that "you rise with the moon, I rise with the sun," further emphasizing the sun's importance to Firebending.

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.

Firebenders use their internal body heat as a source of their bending to create fire. This facet of Firebending is in sharp contrast to the other bending arts, which manipulate already present representations of their element (though firebenders can 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 shooting 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.



Firebending abilities include:

Fireballs: Jabs and punches produce miniature fireballs and missiles of flame, these can be charged up to create larger slower bursts, or swift repetitive strikes to keep opponents off balance.

Blazing Rings & Arcs: Spinning kicks or sweeping arm movements create rings and arcs to slice larger, more widely spaced, or evasive targets.

Jets of Fire: Higher level benders with greater stamina can shoot continuous jets of fire from their fingertips. These jets also have longer ranges than standard fireballs and greater power without sacrificing speed.



Fire Daggers: Creating blowtorch like jets from the fist or fingertips to use as close range sword-like attacks. These lack the ability to actually block physical objects though.



Fire Whip: An extension of a fire jet, this continuous stream of flame can be used as a whip. Zuko uses a larger version of this in his fight in Ba Sing Se, creating streams of great length for continuous mid range combat.

Fire Absorption: Absorbing and extinguishing flames, both as a control of ones own attack and to counter or deflect those of other firebenders. Apparently this can only be performed on ones seen coming, the more powerful the flame the more difficult it is to control.

Shield of Fire: Creates a protective fire shield around the front of, or 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.

The Dancing Dragon: This technique was learned from the sacred statues that were hidden atop the ancient civilization of the Sun Warriors. It is likely a simple firebending technique, as a novice firebender, Aang, could do it simply on his first attempt. It is a circular motion that somehow also communicates with actual dragons.

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



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, in "The Avatar Returns". Zhao may have charged some of his attacks before releasing them when he fought Aang in "The Deserter". Azula used this skill in "The Drill" against Aang. Zuko was shown using this technique in "The Crossroads of Destiny" against both Aang and Katara. Iroh also used a charged fire blast against Dai Li agents in the same episode. Fire Lord Sozin may have used a charged blast against Avatar Roku when he unleashed a wave of fire against him in "The Avatar and the Fire Lord"



Wall of Flames: One of firebendings few defensive abilities, either a situated explosion or controlled inferno, this wall concentrated flames acts as a barrier to incoming attacks. It may be a more powerful version of a Fire Sheild. 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, and provided herself a stealthy escape. Zuko used it to stop a combustion attack (albeit 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 he could allow the flames to burn on water. He later created annother wall/sheild to deflect four Firebending attacks, and escaped from Zhao.



Heat Absorption: Only seen performed by Fire Lord Sozin, maybe unique to him or simply an advanced technique. Heat absorption allows for the absorption of heat from one source by one hand and passing through ones body and out the 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 Irohs redirection of lightening.

Fire Augmentation: Firebenders can also control the size and intensity of any nearby flames and can draw then in and manipulate them at will. Avatar Roku used this method to protect himself and counter an attack by Zhao and his soldiers while his spirit was channeled by Aang. In "The Deserter", Jeong Jeong augments the fire in his candles while he is discouraging Aang. When Azula scared Chan in The Beach, it can be seen that the torch behind Azula also fell under her Firebending, as it burned bright blue. Zuko augmented a fire in the same episode, while he was confronting his anger issues.

Avatar Level Firebenders


Lava/Magma Bending: Avatar level Firebenders are able to bend lava and magma, although not with the same ease with which waterbenders bend water, and 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. So far, 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.

Special Techniques
Blue Fire: Firebenders can control the intensity of their Firebending, reflected in the color of the flames. This 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.



So far, only Azula has demonstrated blue Firebending (not to be confused with lightning). Blue fire also seems to possess more physical force and produce a concussive effect not seen with normal fire, likely due to superheat the air around it as it strikes (the same process that creates thunder).

During "The Firebending Masters", the two dragons unleash a vortex of fire, within which can be seen several other colors of fire beyond the yellow, orange and blue flames previously seen, including white fire and green fire. It is possible that these colors of flame may also have special properties.



Breath of Fire: Resembling an exhaling flames, 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 Fire Lord Ozai, Iroh, Prince Zuko, and Aang (though the latter was while in the Avatar State within a dream). It was the employment of this firebending style in the midst of battle that earned war veteran Iroh his nickname, "The Dragon of the West," and it is alluded that it was from his uncle that Zuko learned how to create his own (though his is smaller and less intense). With its wide, encompassing range of fire, 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.



Combustion: The unique, trademark ability of the Combustion Man. Unlike normal firebending this does not produce a flame directly from the body. Instead he concentrates 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. Extremely effective as it is destructive, capable of use at close and long-range, and 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.

Enhanced Firebending
Due to its solar sympathy, Firebending is slightly stronger during the day. With an extra terrestrial heat source, such as Sozin's comet, Firebending is apparently greatly enhanced.

Opposite Bending Art
Firebending is the opposing art to Waterbending, though it shows many similar facets of self control, great diversity, and variation is strength due to external forcing.



Firebending is the most aggressive of the four bending arts. Like all of the 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 broad swords, shaping and channeling the flames down the blade of his weapons. It is unknown what, if any, other weapons can be used with firebending.

Styles
The fictional 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 crown.
 * Southern Dragon Claw mirrors a dragon swooping down on it prey. The form contains close-range techniques for seizing and holding.
 * Northern Shaolin, which can be any number of fighting styles related to (but not encompassing) Long Fist boxing.

Lightning


Lightning: Also known as "the cold-blooded fire", certain powerful Firebenders are able to generate and manipulate lightning.

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

Iroh, in a technique developed after observing the energy re-directing techniques of Waterbending, is able to redirect the course of lightning strikes by absorbing it through one arm, guiding it through his stomach, and out his other arm.
 * Lightning redirection

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



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 defensive techniques, which can leave a bender considerably vulnerable to enemy counterattacks. 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.

Lack of Drive: In order to Firebend properly, one must have their 'inner fire', their drive, without which one's Firebending becomes weak, after joining the Avatar, Zuko's Firebending become 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 Zuko. Both overcame their problems after meeting with the masters Ran and Shao, who taught them the true meaning of Firebending, restoring their drives.

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 below).

Other Circumstances: A Firebender's power include 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 will see the return of "Sozin's Comet." As prophesied, this comet's immense energy will grant Ozai the power to conquer the entire world. The only threat to Ozai's campaign is the current Avatar, Aang. If Aang fails to master all four elements and stop Ozai before Sozin's Comet returns, the Fire Lord will be unstoppable regardless of the Avatar's influence.



The Fire Nation's religious clerics, the Fire Sages, once served Avatar Roku, but now tacitly endorse the imperialist war. Fire Sage Shyu is shown as the only Fire Sage to remain true to his allegiance to the Avatar, a trait he inherits 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, as revealed in "The Library," 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. A firebender's power is intensified in warmer climates and is at its peak when situated near their native equatorial homelands during the summer.

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 may be witnessed by spectators.