a watercolor-esque image of Aang petting his skybison Appa; the pair are set against a mountainrange during what looks to be a sunrise of pale blues and pinks

Air

Airbending Culture

a relatively abstract artpiece depicting Avatar Aang meditating on a rock with his airbending tattoos glowing

Airbending culture is deeply rooted in pacifism, spirituality, and a harmony with nature and the self. The airbenders are often described as nomadic; despite this, airbenders tend to congregate at their temples in the north, east, south, and west of the world.

Just before Avatar Aang disappeared, the Air Nomads were subjected to a genocidal campaign by the Fire Nation. The Fire Nation committed genocide on the peaceful airbending people in an attempt to kill the Avatar and effectively disrupt the "Avatar cycle," a process in which a new Avatar is born to one of the four elemental nations when the previous Avatar dies. Airbending culture is preserved and continued by Aang and his son Tenzin until eventually airbending becomes widespread once more through the events of "The Legend of Korra."

Airbenders frequently sport shaved heads and blue tattoos, as well as orange and beige robes. Their culture is modeled after the real-world culture of Nepal, as well as the Tibetan Buddhist Monks. The airbending fighting style is modeled after martial art styles Baguazhang and Ba Gua, both of which emphasize defensive fluidity.

Young Avatar Aang looking determined in his classic orange and yellow garb
Tenzin, a severe looking man with pronounced eyebrows, a sharp goatee, and an airbending tattoo on his bald head
Zaheer, a clean shaven man with striking bone structure and muscular build

Aang

Protagonist of "Avatar: The Last Airbender," pacifist, and master of the elements.

Tenzin

Son of Aang, mentor to Korra, and heir to the title of "last airbender" after Aang's death.

Zaheer

Antagonist to Korra, scholar of Guru Laghima, and spiritually untethered so as to fly.

Gyatso, an old man with a white mustache and airbending tattoos
Jinora, a young woman with an airbending tattoo peeking out from her hair; she wears a maroon and yellow jumpsuit designed for air travel
An artist's depiction of Laghima, who stands with his book to the viewer as he overlooks a valley wearing orange and red airbending clothes

Monk Gyatso

Teacher, master, and father figure to Aang prior to the Avatar's disappearance.

Jinora

Granddaughter of Aang, daughter of Tenzin, and very young master of air.

Guru Laghima

Philosopher, poet, and the alleged wisest airbender to ever have lived.