Western Air Temple


 * This article is about the location. For the episode, see "The Western Air Temple".

The Western Air Temple was one of the four temples of the Air Nomads, and one of the two, the other being the Eastern Air Temple, that exclusively housed female airbenders. It is located in the mountains north of the Fire Nation. Its population was wiped out at the beginning of the War during the Air Nomad Genocide. The temple is notable in that unlike the other three temples, it is situated underneath the edge of a cliff instead of atop a mountain. The spires seem as though they were built upside-down, and because of that, the temple is hidden to the passerby. Its design allows wind to flow into even the deepest chambers, which made the Air Nomads feel quite at home.

History
Aang and his friends headed to the Western Air Temple for a safe place to stay after the unsuccessful invasion. It was there that Zuko began his search for the Avatar, following his banishment. Ironically, after following the remnants of the invasion force here, Zuko decided to join Aang, pledging to teach him firebending.

Combustion Man attacked this temple in hopes of eliminating the Avatar and his gang. Thanks in part to Zuko's intervention on their behalf and Sokka's expertise at using a boomerang, Combustion Man was defeated and killed when his own firebending caused the explosion of the building he was on, which fell into the nearby canyon. The temple suffered extensive damage from the attack, but is still largely intact. The group spent several nights there.

Azula led an attack on the temple thereafter, battling her brother and forcing the rest of the group to flee. After one of her blasts clashed with an equally powerful blast from Zuko, both of them were thrown off the airship. Zuko was saved by the group, who was flying on Appa, and Azula used her firebending to propel herself toward the cliffside, using her hair piece as a hook to slow the fall. The attack resulted in quite a large amount of damage, but the extent is unknown. It is known that the remnants of the fountain were completely destroyed.

Description


The temple's design allows wind to flow into even the deepest chambers, which made the Air Nomads feel quite at home. Although its interior has not been shown, Teo mentioned seeing a hall of statues. The temple features some interesting recreational spots, such as a giant Pai Sho table, an all-day echo chamber, an air bison obstacle course, and racetrack.

Another interesting feature is a series of metal doors used as shields that are located within the fountain area.

Customs


While other nations possess royalty and are run by monarchies, the Air Nomads are led by the monks/nuns of the air temples and are therefore a kind of theocracy.

The Air Nomads are the only nation composed entirely of benders, due to the highly spiritual nature of their lives. It is said that meditation was an important part of the airbenders' daily routines, as it helped them to focus their energies and understand the potency of their element.

The arrow on an airbender's head signifies that he or she has mastered airbending. This is an emulation of the natural arrows on the heads of flying bison, animals revered by the Air Nomads who can naturally airbend and are believed to be the inspiration for the first airbenders. Apprentice airbenders have no tattoos. In order to receive the tattoos as well as the title of a master, an airbender must pass the thirty-six levels of airbending along with creating a new technique.

Natural resources and foods


As could be determined, air is the main and most significant power source and natural resource of the Nomads, as without it they would be rendered powerless. With the power of air channeled under their control, the airbenders were enabled to defend and protect their homes and way of life and travel across the globe.

The Air Nomads were a tranquil and environmentally friendly race of people and did their best not to leave a single mark on the land. Any industry that they started, such as farming and gardening, were powered naturally. They also produced their own food.

Air Nomads are also vegetarians, as are the modern monks of Tibet. This is cited by Aang's words when he said he did not eat meat.

Notable figures

 * Avatar Yangchen

Trivia

 * Until Combustion Man destroyed part of the fountain structure and blew up one of the temples inverted towers, this seemed to be the only temple untouched by other parties; the Southern Air Temple had Fire Nation corpses from the battle with Fire Lord Sozin's forces, the Northern Air Temple was modified and damaged by Earth Kingdom colonials, and the Eastern Air Temple was cleaned up by Guru Pathik. The Western Air Temple is only known to have been visited by Iroh and Zuko a week after the latter's banishment.
 * The Western Air Temple is sometimes considered to be Team Avatar's new home.
 * This is the only known Air Temple to not be located on the very top of a mountain.
 * Aang showed a lack of concern for the destruction of the temple by both Team Avatar and the Fire Nation. His feelings contrast to the disgust he displayed when he saw that the mechanist had destroyed part of the Northern Air Temple.