The Avatar’s journey is defined by mastering the four elements and maintaining global balance. This cycle continues through reincarnation, with each Avatar reborn into a different nation. Beyond this, a consistent element in the Avatar’s life is the presence of an animal guide. Confirmed by figures like Katara and Roku, each Avatar receives an animal companion that offers guidance and support, forging a spiritual bond that transcends life and death. But Does Every Avatar Have An Animal Guide, and if so, what is the significance of these relationships?
While serving as endearing mascots for the Avatar’s team, these animal companions are loyal and invaluable. The Avatar Spirit, Raava, bestows upon the Avatar immense power and experience. But why are animal companions so crucial?
Tradition: Honoring the First Avatar’s Bond
Alt: Avatar Wan and his animal guide, Mula, a cat-deer, standing together in a scene from Legend of Korra.
Tradition and rituals hold immense importance in the world of Avatar. Practices often endure for centuries, honoring the past. The presence of animal companions for each Avatar may stem from the precedent set by the first Avatar, Wan. Wan’s journey saw him joined by Mula, a cat-deer. After Wan rescued Mula from hunters, Mula became a steadfast friend and mount, accompanying Wan on his global travels and assisting him in his Avatar duties. Raava may ensure that each Avatar has an animal companion to pay homage to the deep bond between Wan and Mula, respecting the tradition of the first Avatar.
Transportation: Expediting Global Travel
Alt: Appa, Aang’s sky bison, in Avatar: The Last Airbender, used for transporting the Avatar and his team across the four nations.
The Avatar bears the responsibility of protecting the entire world, necessitating rapid travel across vast distances. The animal companions showcased in the series are all large enough to provide transportation. During the Hundred Year War, Aang traversed the four nations aboard his sky bison, Appa. Similarly, Roku utilized his dragon, Fang, to promptly address emergencies worldwide. These animal mounts enable Avatars to navigate the four nations more efficiently than traveling on foot, enabling swift responses to crises.
Protectors: Safeguarding the Avatar
The Avatar’s perilous role attracts the attention of numerous adversaries. Often, Avatars face kidnappings and assassination attempts, particularly before mastering the four elements. Korra, for instance, was nearly kidnapped by the Red Lotus as a child, before she had developed her defensive abilities. Raava could be choosing animal companions capable of safeguarding the Avatar from such threats. Both Appa and Naga have bravely fought alongside their Avatars, exemplifying unwavering loyalty and offering vital protection.
Teacher of the Elements: Guiding Bending Mastery
Avatar Wan Dancing Dragon
Alt: Avatar Wan learning firebending from a dragon, illustrating the connection between animals and elemental bending in the Avatar universe.
Many animal companions of the Avatar either possess the ability to bend the elements themselves or represent them symbolically. These creatures historically taught humans how to harness their bending powers. Dragons and sky bison were the first benders of fire and air, respectively. Fang and Appa may have played a similar role for Roku and Aang, serving as personal instructors who demonstrated how to wield their native elements. Even Korra’s polar bear dog, Naga, familiar with the icy terrain of the South Pole, could assist Korra in her waterbending training. The animals therefore also assist in the training of the Avatar.
A Life-Long Friend: An Inseparable Bond
Alt: Aang meeting Appa for the first time in Avatar: The Last Airbender, emphasizing the lifelong friendship between the Avatar and their animal companion.
The Avatar’s animal companion transcends the role of mere transportation or bending teacher. They also serve as one of the Avatar’s closest and earliest friends. Aang and Korra formed bonds with their animals at a young age, becoming inseparable. Raava could be intending for each Avatar to have a reliable friend throughout their lives. The Avatar spirit could be forging a connection between the spirits of the animals and the Avatar, ensuring they remain together. Fang died alongside Avatar Roku, continuing to serve as his animal guide in the afterlife. Appa likely died alongside Aang, given their spiritual connection. Ultimately, it’s comforting to know that regardless of the challenges they face, the Avatar will always have a loyal friend by their side, in both life and death.
In conclusion, while the Avatar is destined to be reincarnated, learning all four elements and keeping the world safe, the animal companions provide much needed support and friendship. So, does every Avatar have an animal guide? It certainly seems so, with tradition, transportation, protection, teaching, and friendship being essential reasons why.
