I'm pretty sure that there's some material out there that states that the Fire Nation was originally a theocracy, actually. The Fire Lord was originally a title given to the head of the Fire Sages, but later the Fire Lord became a more secular position divorced from the council of sages.
I think it's pretty clear that the avatar universe is meant to have gods in it; it's just that the gods, demons, and minor supernatural entities are all refered to as "spirits" to keep western parents from throwing too many hissy fits about their children being introduced to the concept of polytheism.
We're never given any direct information about what God or gods the fire nation worships, but it's fairly likely it's a sun god of some sort. The Fire Lords and Ladies might even justify their divine right to rule by stating their lineage descends from the sun god. They'd never confirm this in canon because lol fundies throwing hissy fits, but considering that aspects of Imperialist-Era Fire Nation mirror Imperialist-Era Japan? It seems likely.
http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Fire_Nation#Government
http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Fire_Sages
I think it's pretty clear that the avatar universe is meant to have gods in it; it's just that the gods, demons, and minor supernatural entities are all refered to as "spirits" to keep western parents from throwing too many hissy fits about their children being introduced to the concept of polytheism.
We're never given any direct information about what God or gods the fire nation worships, but it's fairly likely it's a sun god of some sort. The Fire Lords and Ladies might even justify their divine right to rule by stating their lineage descends from the sun god. They'd never confirm this in canon because lol fundies throwing hissy fits, but considering that aspects of Imperialist-Era Fire Nation mirror Imperialist-Era Japan? It seems likely.
Reply
Leave a comment