Writing in the World of Avatar

  

Writing in the World of Avatar
General information
Type	Writing and literature
Examples	Writing materials Calligraphy Chinese translations Books
More about the World of Avatar
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Culture
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Writing and literature form an integral part in societies all across the world. All four nations use a common system of characters' daily purposes. The four nations primarily use writing for communication and literary purposes, though there are some, such as Piandao, who practice calligraphy as an art.

Writing

Writing materials

Piandao had a complete set of writing implements at his castle.

Writing in the world of Avatar is often achieved through the use of brushes, ink, and paper. Older historical documents were written on bamboo slips instead of paper. There are also engravings, which can be found at some natural locations, such as the Cave of Two Lovers; man-made structures, such as the wooden arch at the southern end of the Serpent's Pass; and engraved on tools, equipment, or other objects, such as Zuko's pearl-handled dagger. The written language is Chinese characters, or Hanzi, a written language comprising thousands of characters created using different strokes. These characters are generally written top-down, right to left, though this is not always the case. There are also examples of Chinese Seal script, an older form of the same writing system, however, it is much less common.

Tools

The most common tools used are those that allow a writer to quickly and easily communicate using written text. Brushes typically have a wooden shaft and an animal-hair brush-tip, which allows for the absorption of ink. It is then generally applied to paper, which has often been smoothed flat through the use of paperweights. Once dried, the paper can be rolled into scrolls, or bound together to form books.

Characters

Traditional Chinese characters are used for most writing. There are tens of thousands of characters, but only a few thousand are required for day-to-day communication. There are several categories of characters, and though 'pictograms' is the most well-known, only a small portion of characters are attributed to this category. Additionally, the link between the meaning and the image is not always clear due to the evolution of the characters over millennia, and many pictograms have simply been integrated into other characters to give it greater metaphorical meaning

• Pictograms - These characters are derived from stylized, simplified drawings of an object, and is used to represent that object. Clear examples include 日 for "sun" and 山 for "mountain", though other characters, such as 象 for "elephant" is less obvious.
• Ideograms - Although not a direct derivative of pictures like pictograms, ideograms are related to them in that they are a stylized abstract representation of an idea. Direct examples include 上 "up" and 下 "down". Indirect examples might include 本 (one meaning of which is 'origin/source'), which is a tree (木) with a line beneath it to emphasise the "root".
• Ideogrammic compounds - These are created through combining elements of pictograms and ideograms to form another abstract representation of an idea or object. An example is that doubling the pictogram 木 "tree" produces 林 "grove". There are literally more trees. If one adds a third tree, the character becomes 森, or "forest". The existence of this category as an independent category is disputed in the real world due to the inherently subjective nature of attributing certain aspects together, particularly with more complex characters that have multiple components.
• Phono-semantic compounds - The name is complex, but most characters fall under this category. These characters are usually made of two parts, one of which is known as the "radical" and the other being the pronunciation. The radical is usually, but not always, positioned on the leftmost side of the character, and is used to give the reader a representation of the idea or meaning of the character. The phonetic component is generally positioned to the right and is used to guide the pronunciation. For example, one of the characters for river is 河. The three strokes to the left make up the radical representing anything to do with water or liquids, and the right part is the character 可. Another example might be the differences between characters that have almost the same pronunciation save for a difference in tone. 清, 晴 and 情 have the same phonetic component, but different radicals. As a result, a reader familiar with these characters will understand that the pronunciation is based on 青, but the differing radicals give a different meaning. The first character means "clear" or "transparent" (due to the "water" radical), the second means "fine", and is used in the context of "the weather is fine" (due to the "sun" radical), while the third is "feeling" (due to the inclusion of the "heart" radical).
• There are a few more categories, but the above are enough to summarize the types of existing characters.

Calligraphy

Piandao taught Sokka calligraphy during the latter's swordsmanship training.

Calligraphy is a form of art where one draws or paints characters in a, particularly artistic way to emphasize its beauty and shape. The paper, ink, brush, and inkstone are essential implements in calligraphy. A paperweight is also used to keep the paper straight and flat on the table, negating the need for one's hand to touch the clean paper. Only the highest quality types are used. Piandao taught Sokka its basics. Some methods, like the Pianhai method, a ceremonial calligraphy setup, takes a great deal of formal training, which usually is not learned by commoners.

Chinese character translations

For an in-depth list of translations for proper names and words used in the series, see here.

All Chinese characters below are written in the form in which they appeared in the show. Therefore, most are in the traditional form, with few exceptions.

Avatar: The Last Airbender episode translations

Opening sequence

• At the top and bottom of the map of the World of Avatar are two separate rows of four Chinese characters, written in Classical Chinese. They form a couplet that can be translated as:

群雄四分 - Powers are divided into Four
天下一匡 - The world [all under heaven] is guided by one.

• The four inscriptions in the corners each refer to a different element and can be translated to:

水善 - benevolent water
土強 - strong earth
火烈 - fierce fire
气和 - harmonious air.

• Above the Avatar title slide, the characters can be translated to:

降卋神通 - the spiritual medium who has descended upon the world (i.e. the Avatar).

Book One: Water

"The Warriors of Kyoshi"

Main article: The Warriors of Kyoshi

• The fan the statue of Kyoshi holds to her dress is inscribed with the character 京 (kyō in Japanese), which means "capital". This character also appears on the sleeves of the Kyoshi Warriors' uniform. The fan in Kyoshi's outstretched hand carries the character 士, pronounced "shi", meaning "warrior".

"Winter Solstice, Part 1: The Spirit World"

Main article: Winter Solstice, Part 1: The Spirit World

• The circles on the floor of Roku's Sanctuary contain the characters for various celestial events: 春分, the Spring Equinox; 夏至, the summer solstice; 秋分, the Autumn Equinox; and 冬至, the winter solstice. These are all part of the traditional East Asian calendar.

"The Waterbending Scroll"

Main article: The Waterbending Scroll

• The left side of the scroll says 截水神功練習第一式, which can be translated as "Waterbending drill first form". The right side says 水單鞭, which translates as "water single whip".

"The Blue Spirit"

Main article: The Blue Spirit

Aang's wanted poster is seen in "The Deserter".

Aang's wanted poster reads as follows:

緝拿 - 降卋神通

該逃犯身懷截氣神功

能制起旋風飛遁如風

捕者慎之慎之

烈火君令

Wanted — The Avatar.

This fugitive knows airbending,

can create whirlwinds, and flee like the wind.

Hunters, be extremely cautious.

By decree of the Fire Lord.

"The Fortuneteller"

Main article: The Fortuneteller

• The calligraphy on the screen in Aunt Wu's parlor is written in Cao Shu (草書, a form of cursive often mistranslated as "grass script style". It is a freehand form that is notoriously difficult to read.
• The sign against which Sokka kicks a rock has the character 福 on it, which means "good fortune and happiness" and is frequently displayed during Chinese New Year.

"Bato of the Water Tribe"

Main article: Bato of the Water Tribe

Main article: Rendezvous map

• The map to the rendezvous point is covered with characters indicating locations and notes, but most are illegible. On the top left corner are the characters 海月護佑, which roughly translates as "The Blessing and Protection of the Sea and Moon". The smaller characters in the center of the bay are 首長 and 戰士, meaning "senior official" and "warrior". In the bottom left corner, a mountain is marked with 東山, meaning "east mountain".

"The Deserter"

Main article: The Deserter

The Fire Days Festival poster depicts a dragon.

• Fire Days Festival poster

庆祝烈火節

傳統烈火國美味食品

烈火國文化展雜技魔術

運火師木偶戲烟火

使你如置身於烈火國

Celebrate the Fire Day's Festival.

Featuring traditional Fire Nation delicacies,

Fire Nation cultural exhibits, jugglers, magicians,

firebending masters, puppet shows, fireworks

to make you feel like you are in the Fire Nation.

This is Jeong Jeong's wanted poster.

Jeong Jeong's wanted poster

緝拿 - 琤琤

前烈火國艦長

年六十．白髮．

貌似柔順實長制火術

捕者慎之

Wanted — Jeong Jeong.

Was a Fire Nation Admiral.

He is sixty years old and white-haired.

Appears weak; is actually a master in firebending.

Hunters be cautious.

This wanted poster depicts Chey.

• Chey's wanted poster

緝拿 - 済．

前烈火軍隊長懦夫逃兵叛賊．

年三十善火功爆破．

精神不稳．

捕者慎之

Wanted — Chey.

Was a captain in the Fire Nation Army, is a coward, a deserter and a traitor.

He is 30 years old and skilled with explosives.

Mentally unstable.

Hunters be cautious.

This is a wanted poster for the Blue Spirit.

• Blue Spirit wanted poster

緝拿 - 蓝神．

劫持降卋神通

頭戴蓝色土國面具

身份不明外傳為鬼之說不足信

如探得行踪湏全力以赴

Wanted — The Blue Spirit.

Stole the Avatar.

He wears a blue Earth Kingdom opera mask.

His true identity is unknown, but disregard the rumors that he is a ghost.

If you discover his whereabouts, spare no effort in apprehending him.

• The Fire Lord's Seal found on all the wanted posters reads 烈火國王敖載之寶, meaning "The Royal Seal of Fire Lord Ozai".

"The Siege of the North, Part 2"

Main article: The Siege of the North, Part 2

• The scroll that Zhao finds in Wan Shi Tong's Library reads, in ancient Chinese calligraphy, 月神海神 and 北方水族, meaning "Moon Spirit and Ocean Spirit" and "Northern Water Tribe".

Book Two: Earth

"The Avatar State"

Main article: The Avatar State

This is Iroh and Zuko's wanted poster.

• Iroh and Zuko's wanted poster reads as follows:

承烈火君命緝捕艾洛．祖寇二叛賊．

艾洛将軍曾為平西巨龍．

祖寇王子曾為火帝儲君．

二賊違反國令．

拒絕征剿水族蛮子及捉拿降卋神通．

格殺勿論．

The Fire Lord orders the arrest of Iroh and Zuko, the two rebellious traitors.

General Iroh was once the Dragon of the West,

Prince Zuko was Crown Prince to the Fire Lord.

Both traitors violated imperial orders,

refusing to exterminate the Water Tribe barbarians as well as capture the Avatar.

(Permission is granted to) kill them on sight.

• The writing on Zuko's pearl-handled dagger reads 非戰不屈, which means "Never give up without a fight." The style of writing is based on seal script, an ancient style of Chinese calligraphy.

"The Cave of Two Lovers"

Main article: The Cave of Two Lovers

The sign over the entrance to the Cave of Two Lovers reads 情人洞, meaning "Cave of the Lovers".

• The sign over the entrance to the cave reads, in ancient Chinese script, 情人洞, meaning "Lovers' Cave".
• The sign over the door in Song's clinic is 醫, meaning "doctor" or "cure".
• The first panel of the Lover's story reads, in ancient Chinese script, 男女相隔二地 會于此峰, which means approximately "The man and woman (Oma and Shu) separated into two places; they will meet at this peak".
• The character that appears when Katara reads about the war between the Lover's villages is 戰, meaning "war".
• The final panel of the Lover's story reads, in ancient Chinese script, 奧瑪舒城 永志恋情, which means approximately "Omashu City, to forever remember their love."
• The writing on the relief of the two lovers read 愛在黑夜最光明, which means "Love is brightest in the dark night".

"Return to Omashu"

Main article: Return to Omashu

• The governor's ransom letter reads as follows:

懦弱之拐人

我愿以你卑賤的布米王換取我兒子湯湯安全

正午會於城巔石像下交換

Cowardly kidnapper,

I agree to exchange your lowly King Bumi for my son Tom Tom's safety.

The exchange will take place precisely at noon tomorrow at the base of the city's summit rock statue.

"The Swamp"

Main article: The Swamp

• The sign on the cart that passes Iroh and Zuko reads 快樂浪人歌劇團, meaning "Happy Traveler's Opera Troupe".

"Avatar Day"

Main article: Avatar Day

• A lantern during the parade scene has the character 酒 painted on it, meaning "alcohol" and indicating a tavern.
• The ancient Chinese scripts carved on the lower part of the statue reads 秦帝, meaning "Emperor Chin".
• The writing on the "Birth of Kyoshi" painting reads 降卋神通虛子今日拓創虛子島 愿吾民文化永絕於卋界暴政, which translates as "On this day, Avatar Kyoshi split and created Kyoshi Island, in the hope that our citizens' culture will forever be isolated from the tyranny of the world".

"The Blind Bandit"

Main article: The Blind Bandit

• The advertisement for Master Yu's Earthbending Academy reads as follows:

余師傅運土術武館全國最佳

包教會

持此傳單第一課免費僅須購買髙級制服

Master Yu's Earthbending Academy is the best school in the entire country.

Guaranteed everything taught will be learned.

Special promotion – first lesson is free. You only need to purchase a high-quality uniform.

• The sign over the entrance to Master Yu's school reads 余師傅著名運土術武館, meaning "Master Yu's Famous Earthbending Academy".

A ransom letter was sent to Toph's parents after she and Aang were taken by Xin Fu and the Earth Rumble VI fighters.

• Toph's ransom note reads as follows:

欲見你女兒有生一(天)

五百金條至競技場

大塊石辛富

If you wish to see your daughter alive,

(bring) five hundred gold bars to the arena.

(Signed) The Boulder & Xin Fu.

"The Library"

Main article: The Library

• The writing on Professor Zei's map reads 萬知堂神祕图書舘, meaning "Wan Shi Tong's Mysterious Library".
• The book Sokka pulls off the shelf while Aang is looking at the lion turtle painting has on its cover the characters 子白, meaning "child" or "master" and "white", respectively; however, these are likely just random characters chosen for looks.
• The parchment documenting the Fire Nation's Darkest Day reads 培治龍年七月九日烈火國最黑暗的一天, which means "The 9th day of the 7th month of the Cultivate Rule Dragon Year was the darkest day in Fire Nation history".
• The Chinese characters around the calendar wheel form the era names used for dating events in the Avatar world.

1. 氜武 - Superior military

2. 淳泰 - Honest and exalted

3. 坧元 - Foundation and origin

4. 烱裕 - Bright abundance

5. 氤隆 - Misty prosperity

6. 溢文 - Overflowing culture

7. 培治 - Cultivate rule

8. 焜德 - Shining virtue

9. 氲貞 - Virtuous harmony

10. 渪明 - Immersed in brightness

11. 堯平 - Peace of Emperor Yao

12. 煬崇 - Burning honor

13. 氛安 - Peaceful atmosphere

14. 漳順 - As smoothly as the Zhang River

15. 垣正 - City of righteousness

16. 焯光 - Burning light

The first character in these two-character words has a radical (one of the 214 ideographic elements in Chinese writing used in combination with phonetics to form thousands of different characters) that represents one of the four elements, and rotates in the order of air - water - earth - fire.

• 气 - the "air" radical, used in characters related to gas
• 氵 - the "three drops of water" radical, used in characters related to liquid
• 土 - the "earth" radical, used in characters related to dirt, earth, mineral, etc.
• 火 - the "fire" radical, used in characters related to fire, heat, etc.

Note: These definitions are very loosely based on the characters, as many of the combinations are difficult to understand. Some of the characters are no longer used in modern Chinese. For example, 氜 is one of the ancient ways of writing 陽, which can be taken to mean sun, positive, bright, conspicuous, etc., and 武 can be taken to mean anything related to the military, so 氜武 could be a reference to the obvious wars going on out in the world.

• The date of the Day of Black Sun is set on the dial as "The 1st day of the 8th month of the Superior Military Monkey Year" (氜武猴年八月一日). This could translate to August 1 in the Gregorian Calendar. However, if the World of Avatar uses the Chinese lunar calendar, the date would fall sometime in mid to late August or September.

"The Serpent's Pass"

Main article: The Serpent's Pass

The entrance of the Serpent's Pass reads 盤蛇關, meaning "Coiling Serpent Pass".

• Toph's passport reads 土國頭等護照 北方拓芙, meaning "Earth Kingdom first class passport – Toph Beifong".
• The ferry tickets read 滿月湾渡輪票, meaning "Full Moon Bay Ferry Ticket".
• The gate at the entrance of the Serpent's Pass reads 盤蛇關, meaning "Coiling Serpent Pass". The graffito reads 絕望, meaning "despair", or the literal meaning "sever hope".
• The stamp the official lady puts on Aang's forehead says 不准, meaning "denied".
• The stamp the official lady puts on the four tickets of team Avatar says 准, meaning “allowed”.

"The Drill"

Main article: The Drill

• The banner in the Ba Sing Se customs office reads 歡迎光臨永固城, meaning "Welcome to Ba Sing Se".
• The plaque on the slurry pipeline reads 泥漿管道, meaning "slurry pipeline".
• Iroh's forged passport reads 土國護照 洪慕士, meaning "Earth Kingdom passport – Hong Mushi".

"City of Walls and Secrets"

Main article: City of Walls and Secrets

• The invitations to the Earth King's party have 南大門 written on them, meaning "South Gate".
• The name of the tea shop is 包氏茶館, meaning "Mr. Pao's Tea House".

"The Tales of Ba Sing Se"

Main article: The Tales of Ba Sing Se

• The characters before each story read, in order, 卡塔拉與托夫的故事 (Katara and Toph's tale), 安昂的故事 (Aang's tale), 索卡的故事 (Sokka's tale), 艾洛的故事 (Iroh's tale), 蘇科的故事 (Zuko's tale), and 模模的故事 (Momo's tale). In the title card for "The Tale of Toph and Katara", the Chinese translation puts Katara's name before Toph's. Toph's name is also written differently in the title card than on her passport from "The Serpent's Pass" and the letter from her mother in "The Earth King". Zuko's name is also different; in "The Desert", Zuko's name was listed on a Fire Nation wanted poster in Chinese as "祖寇" (zǔkòu), while here his name is written as "蘇科" (sūkē). The character 蘇 (sū) is also used in Fire Lord Sozin's name.
• The sign on the spa which Katara and Toph visit reads 貴婦美容院, which translates as "Noble Lady's Beauty Parlor".
• The Chinese characters on Lu Ten's picture 艾洛将軍 得勝再見 忠心的兒子路騰, when read in the traditional right and vertical way, roughly translated as "General Iroh, I will see you again when victory is obtained. Your loyal son, Lu Ten".
• The sign in front of the zoo Aang visits reads 快樂動物園, which translates as "Happy Zoo".
• The sign outside of the hall in "The Tale of Sokka" reads 五七五會社, which translates as "Five-Seven-Five Society".

"Lake Laogai"

Main article: Lake Laogai

Appa's lost pet poster features a head-on view of the sky bison.

• Appa's wanted poster reads as follows:

尋飛天野牛

名阿柏有六足重十噸

如有消息請聯絡

降世神通安昂

上環九十六區第二百一十七棟

Searching for a flying sky bison.

His name is Appa, he has six legs and weighs ten tons.

If you have any information, please contact Avatar Aang

(in the) Upper Ring, 96th District, house #217.

"The Guru"

Main article: The Guru

• The signboard over the door of the Jasmine Dragon reads 茉莉龍, its name in Chinese.
• The characters on the sign inside the teashop 寧三天不食莫一日無茶 display a traditional Chinese proverb: "It is better to go for three days without food than one day without tea".

Book Three: Fire

"The Avatar and the Fire Lord"

Main article: The Avatar and the Fire Lord

• The characters on the scroll Zuko receives read 你須知道曾祖死因它會顯示你的命運, and mean approximately "You need to know the story of your great-grandfather's demise, it will reveal your own destiny"; the hidden message, 烈火國諸賢秘史藏於龍骨墓窟中 means approximately "The secret history of the sages of Fire Nation is hidden in the Dragonbone Catacombs".
• The characters on the first box containing Sozin's history read 烈火君蘇進遺書完稿, which means "The Last Testament of Fire Lord Sozin". The second box reads 烈火君蘇進遺書稿之, which means approximately "Draft of the Last Testament of Fire Lord Sozin".
• The characters that can be seen at the end of Sozin's testament are 威脅, which means "threat", and 功師, which is presumably the end of the word "airbender".

"The Runaway"

Main article: The Runaway

Posters are seen at the post office in the Fire Fountain City.

• Toph's wanted poster reads as follows:

緝拿逃犯

當局懸賞一千金幣緝捕十二歲女童

她喬裝盲人個子雖小極之危險

報訊即賞

Wanted - The Runaway.

Authorities are offering a reward of thousand gold coins for the arrest of this twelve-year-old girl.

She disguises herself as a blind person, and although she is small, she is extremely dangerous.

Any information will be promptly rewarded.

• The messenger hawk advertisement reads as follows:

傳訊鳥訓練班

日出時於郵政局集合

每課三銅板

Messenger bird training class.

Meets at sunrise at the post office.

Each lesson is three copper pieces.

• The poster before Toph's wanted poster reads 火 - 緝拿, meaning "Fire - Arrests". It probably signals the start of the wanted posters section.
• The poster on the far right of the billboard reads 今晚街坊會議主題 : 空氣質量 街頭聚賭, meaning "Topics for this evening's street conference: air quality and street gambling".
• The poster with two dragons entwined in a heart reads 餘烬島劇院, meaning "Ember Island Theater". It is a reference to the Ember Island Players, and is most likely a poster for "Love amongst the Dragons" (which Zuko says he used to see every year with his mother).

"The Day of Black Sun, Part 1: The Invasion"

Main article: The Day of Black Sun, Part 1: The Invasion

• Sokka's maps read as follows:

第壹國皇家地圖 - The Greatest Nation (eg. Fire Nation) Royal Atlas

世界地圖 - Map of the World

全國領土領海圖 - Chart of the Entire Nation's Land and Sea Territories

首都島地圖 - Map of Capital Island

皇家首都地圖 - Map of the Royal Capital City

"The Ember Island Players"

Main article: The Ember Island Players

• The poster for The Boy in the Iceberg reads as follows:

氷山上的男孩

土國著名劇作家浦安添新作搜集全球有関降卋神通資料由南極氷山至土國首都．

資料来自牧民歌手．海盜．戰犯和菜販．

由餘烬島演員主演

The Boy in the Iceberg:

The famous Earth Kingdom playwright Pu-on Tim's new work has collected information about the Avatar from around the globe, from the icebergs of the Southern Water Tribe to the Earth Kingdom capital.

Information came from nomad singers, pirates, prisoners of war and a knowledgeable merchant of cabbage.

Starring the Ember Island Players.

• The sign over the stage reads 餘烬島劇院, meaning "Ember Island Theater".

"Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang"

Main article: Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang

• The ending card reads 劇終, which means "The End (of this play)".

Other translations

• The Chinese calligraphy featured on the cover of the Season Three boxed set (as well as on a T-shirt given away at Comic-con) can be seen below; however, much of it is either blocked by Aang or hidden by the poor contrast.

彗煞凶焰破長空

奧載暴君欲焚窮

安昂英立泰如月

干戈自此鳴不終

Translated as:

The comet's evil floods the vast sky,

The tyrant, Ozai, longs to burn all things.

Heroic Aang who brings peace,

The sound of arms does not cease.

• Zuko, in the "Gym Time" comic, firebends the characters 選擇我, meaning "Pick me."
• The message Aang leaves Katara in School Time Shipping reads 卡塔拉 你可以跟我去跳舞嗎？ 昂, and means "Katara, will you go to the dance with me? Aang."

Avatar comic translations

Book Three: Fire

"Private Fire"

Main article: Private Fire

• The poster Sokka holds up in part 1 of the comic reads as follows:

加入優勝者隊伍

到附近招募站報名．

Join the winning team!

Sign up at your local recruitment center today!

"Ember Island Arcade"

Main article: Ember Island Arcade

• For some reason, the sign above the entrance to the Ember Island Arcade reads 近义词, meaning "near-synonym". It is strangely also written entirely in Simplified Chinese.

"Rebound"

Main article: Rebound

• The sign outside Mura's flower shop reads 花店, meaning "florist".
• The poster of Ozai and the New Ozai Society's headbands all read 敖載, meaning "Ozai".

The Promise translations

The Promise Part One

Main article: The Promise Part One

• The signs the mob outside Yu Dao are holding read 滾回去, meaning "Get out!" or "Go back!", literally "Roll back there!"; 還我和平, meaning "Give us back peace!"; and 還我平安, meaning "Give us back safety!"
• During the scene where Zuko tours Aang through Yu Dao, several signs can be seen. The one farthest to the back reads 綠炎旅館, meaning "Green Flame Inn". The red sign reads 玉島雜貨店, meaning "Yu Dao Grocery Store", and the closest two yellow signs read 美味火鍋食堂, meaning "Tasty Hotpot Restaurant".
• The sign in front of the blacksmith's shop reads 老陳鐵匠鋪, meaning "Old Chen's Blacksmith Shop".
• In the scene where the Mayor Morishita's family appears for the second time, two signs can be seen: one reading 芬芳茶館, meaning "Sweet Aroma Teahouse" and one reading 綠焰客棧, meaning "Green Blaze Inn".

The Promise Part Two

Main article: The Promise Part Two

• The signboard over the door of the Beifong Metalbending Academy reads 北方, meaning "Beifong".
• The hanging scroll inside the dojo reads 欠揍嗎, meaning "Do you need a beating?", or literally "Do you want me to beat you?"
• The two visible foods on the menu in the ramen shop are 大包 (Dabao) and 小籠包 (Xiaolongbao), traditional Chinese steamed buns resembling dumplings.
• Sokka's headband has the characters 加油 on it, meaning "Come on!" or "You can do it!"
• The calligraphy in the headquarters of the Official Avatar Aang Fan Club, Ba Sing Se Chapter reads 气和, meaning "Air is Harmonious." It is the same calligraphy from the opening titles.
• The hanging scroll in the side room of the dojo has the character 錬, meaning "smelt metals", written on it.
• The right flag on Master Kunyo's head is emblazoned with the character 烈, meaning "fiery", "ferocious", or "ardent".

The Search translations

The Search Part One

Main article: The Search Part One

Zuko reads Ursa's letter.

• Ursa's letter reads:

我最親愛的毅勤

我過了很久才承認

但是你是對的

我是屬於你的

沒有什麼值得受這痛苦的

我唯一的安慰是我們的兒子豎髙

我注視他的眼睛時

就像注視你的眼睛一樣

我時刻都想念著你

愛你的

爾姝

My dearest Ikem,

it's taken me a long time to admit it,

but you were right.

I belong with you,

and nothing is worth this pain.

My one consolation is our son Zuko.

When I look into his eyes,

it's as if I'm looking into yours.

My thoughts are with you always.

Love,

Ursa

• On the stone tablet under the Fire Nation emblem, there is the character 烈 which means ferocious.

The Search Part Two

Main article: The Search Part Two

• The sign at the entrance to the Forgetful Valley reads 忘憂谷 - literally, "Forget Sadness Valley".

The Rift translations

The Rift Part One

Main article: The Rift Part One

• The name above the refinery reads 泥土火公司, which literally translates as "dirt-fire company".

The Rift Part Two

Main article: The Rift Part Two

• The sign outside the cabbage merchant's restaurant reads 包心美食小館, or "Cabbage Delicacies Bistro".

The Rift Part Three

Main article: The Rift Part Three

• The banners carried in the celebration parade read 神靈, which can mean either "god" or "spirit of god".

Smoke and Shadow translations

Smoke and Shadow Part One

Main article: Smoke and Shadow Part One

• The sign hanging over the entrance to Mura's flower shop displays the characters 花店, which translates to "flower shop".

Smoke and Shadow Part Two

Main article: Smoke and Shadow Part Two

• The headbands worn by the members of the Safe Nation Society bear the characters 國安, which translates roughly to "national security". By themselves, 國 translates to "country", and 安 translates to "safe".

North and South translations

North and South Part One

Main article: North and South Part One

• The characters over the Northern Water Tribe cuisine restaurant's entrance display the name 兩條魚北方餐館, which translates to "Two Fishes Northern Cuisine".

The Legend of Korra episode translations

Book One: Air

"Welcome to Republic City"

Main article: Welcome to Republic City

• The poster behind the Equalist protester is emblazoned with the character 平 (píng), meaning "equal". The two side banners read 参加革命, meaning "Join the revolution!"
• In the scene where Korra fights the triads, and the subsequent chase scene, many signs can be seen, most of which are repeated throughout the scene. They are 餃子, meaning "dumplings"; 新鲜蔬果, meaning "fresh vegetables and fruits"; 珠寶, meaning "jewelery"; 雜貨店, meaning "general store"; 古董, meaning "antiques; 書店 meaning "bookstore"; 理髮店, meaning "barbershop"; 药材店, meaning "herbal medicine store"; 裁縫, meaning "tailor"; 粉麵, meaning "noodles"; 服裝店, meaning "clothing store"; 針灸, meaning "acupuncture".
• The shop sign above the phonograph store being held up by the Triple Threat Triad says 留声機, meaning "phonographs", and the sign on the clock store opposite reads 鐘表店, meaning "clock and watch store".
• The police blimp has the word for police, 警察, painted on the front and side.

"A Leaf in the Wind"

Main article: A Leaf in the Wind

• The newspaper Korra is reading at the table has the characters 元訊 written at the top. Typical of many Chinese names and titles, this may have multiple meanings; here, the title at the top may be translated as "First Dispatch", "Basic Dispatch", or in a looser sense, "Breaking News". It may also mean "Yuan News" (in the sense of "Penny News").
• The newspaper with Chief Lin Beifong and Tarrlok's pictures that Korra uses when attempting airbending is called Republic News (共和國新聞).
• The scoring tubes read 第一囬合, meaning "Round 1"; 第二囬合, meaning "Round 2"; 擊倒, meaning "Knockout"; and 優勝者, meaning "Winner".

"The Revelation"

Main article: The Revelation

A flyer for The Revelation depicted Amon.

• The front of the 25-yuan bills seen throughout the episode have 廿五, meaning "25", written on the sides, and 共和城, meaning "Republic City", written across the top. The back has again 25 written on the sides, and 世界之家, meaning "The Home of the World", written across the top.
• When Korra and Mako first encounter the chi-blockers, the shop signs in the background read 药材店, meaning "herbal medicine store", and 理髮店, meaning "barbershop".
• The flyers the Equalist protester is handing out read 見證 今晚九時, meaning "Witness - Tonight at 9."
• The poster behind Amon reads 見證 参加革命, meaning "Witness! Join the Revolution!" The banners are again emblazoned with the character 平, meaning "equal".

"The Voice in the Night"

Main article: The Voice in the Night

The Avatar Aang Memorial Museum clock has the Chinese numerals 1-12 arranged around the outside.

• The signboard over the entrance to Kwong's Cuisine reads 鄺氏美食, its name in Chinese, the literal meaning being "Mr. Kwong's Delicacies".
• The banners for Korra's party in front of Republic City Hall read 降世神通, meaning "Avatar".
• The sign in front of the bookstore reads 書店 meaning simply "bookstore".
• The poster in the hidden Equalist training room reads 阿蒙就是答案, meaning "Amon is the solution!"
• The clock face has the Chinese numerals 1-12 arranged around the outside. The characters on the two inner wheels are written in the archaic seal script form.

"The Aftermath"

Main article: The Aftermath

• The police tape reads 共和城警察, meaning "Republic City Police".
• The poster in the underground Equalist factory reads 阿蒙就是答案, meaning "Amon is the solution!", and 跟着阿蒙, meaning "Follow Amon!"

"When Extremes Meet"

Main article: When Extremes Meet

• The dial on the dashboard of Asami's car has the numbers 1-14 written around the edge.
• The signs on the police vans read 共和城警隊, meaning "Republic City Police Force".

"Turning the Tides"

Main article: Turning the Tides

• The newspaper read by the Fire Nation councilwoman's husband says 聯合日報, meaning "United Daily News".
• The Equalists' airships are marked with the character 平, meaning "equal".

"Skeletons in the Closet" /"Endgame"

Main article: Skeletons in the Closet

Main article: Endgame

• The large poster on Amon's de-bending platform at Air Temple Island and the banner in the Pro-bending Arena read 阿蒙的時代開始了, meaning "The Era of Amon Begins Now".

Book Two: Spirits

"Peacekeepers"

Main article: Peacekeepers

• The Southern Water Tribe protester's signs read 和平, meaning "peace"; 南方自主, meaning "Autonomy for the South"; and 自由, meaning "freedom".
• The police tape reads 共和城警察, meaning "Republic City Police".
• The poster in Mako and Bolin's apartment reads 火焰貂, meaning "Fire Ferrets".
• The book in Lu and Gang's drawer is called 做人之道, meaning "How To Be a Righteous Man".

"The Sting"

Main article: The Sting

• The end title card of "Nuktuk, Hero of the South" reads 努篤 南方英雄, its name in Chinese.

"A New Spiritual Age"

Main article: A New Spiritual Age

• The first page of the book Jinora finds reads:

南北神靈鏖戰

由精神卋界

進入物質卋界

雙方能量對流

産生南北門户

In the north and south spirits engage in a fierce battle

from the Spirit World

to enter the material world.

The energy conveyed from both sides

produces the Northern and Southern portals.

• The picture on the second page is captioned 時間之樹, meaning "Tree of Time".

"Night of a Thousand Stars"

Main article: Night of a Thousand Stars

• Bolin's autographed poster reads 親爱的馬髙 努篤笑着说, meaning "Dear Mako, Nuktuk says "keep smiling!".
• All the posters on the Pro-bending Arena say "Nuktuk, Hero of the South".

Book Three: Change

"The Earth Queen"

Main article: The Earth Queen

• The signs in the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se contain the characters 龙, meaning dragon, and 麵, meaning noodles.

San's letter to Yin.

• San's letter to Yin reads:

已經結婚．有了两個兒子名馬...

博林．他们带来不少歡楽也...

許多麻烦．相信您们是体會...

希望有一天您们會和他们相...

上我们的照片．

... already married, and have two sons named ... {Mako and}

Bolin. They bring us no small amount (lots) of joy and ...

much trouble. I believe that you (people) understand ...

hope that one day you and them can {reunite} ...

a photograph of us.

This letter is written in a mixture of simplified and traditional Chinese rather than all traditional.

"The Metal Clan"

Main article: The Metal Clan

• The couplet by Guru Laghima engraved on the locket reads 出塵卋羈絆 入虛無如風, meaning "Let go your earthly tether; Enter the void, empty, and become wind."
• The main headline on the newspaper Lin Beifong is reading says 保安隊, meaning "Security Force."

"Old Wounds"

Main article: Old Wounds

• Guo's business card reads 郭大夫 針灸師 皂阜市大街二十三號, meaning "Dr. Guo, Acupuncturist. 23 City Street, Zaofu.
• The shop signs when Lin confronts Suyin in her memory read from left to right 服裝店, meaning "clothing store"; 珠寶, meaning "jewelry"; and 药材店, meaning "herbal medicine store".

"The Terror Within"

Main article: The Terror Within

• The letter Mako finds in Hong Li's home reads 隊伍斉集 待命行事, meaning "Team assembled, ready to rendezvous."
• The cover of the book Mako gives to Aiwei is emblazoned with the words 皂阜保安隊, meaning "Zaofu Security Force".

"The Stakeout"

Main article: The Stakeout

• The body of the wanted posters reads:

奉

土國皇后諭旨

緝拿下列人犯

通風報訊者重賞

From

the Earth Empress's Imperial Decree.

The below-listed accused is to be seized and arrested.

Any person with information is to report it for a handsome reward.

Each poster is marked with the name of the person pictured: Bolin's says 共和城博林, "Bolin from Republic City", and Korra's 神通寇柆, "Avatar Korra". The queen's seal reads 土國皇后之璽, meaning "The Imperial Seal of the Earth Empress."

• The sign at the entrance to the Misty Palms Oasis reads 霧櫚緑洲.

Asami's map shows a detailed aerial shot of the south-western Si Wong Desert.

• The map has several locations marked on it. From left to right: Seven Day (or Sun) Temple (七日寺), Wen Wilderness (文荒漠), Chaoyang Market (朝陽市集), Golden Phoenix Mountain (金鳳山), Misty Palms Oasis (霧櫚綠洲), Si Wong Desert (死亡沙漠), Du'an Village (杜安村), and, at the bottom and partly obscured, a place that seems to be marked 睡鷄江, literally "Sleeping Chicken River".
• The sign over the inn at which Aiwei is staying marks it as the "Misty Palms Inn" (霧櫚客栈).
• The two books in the hotel's drawers are "How To Be a Righteous Man" (做人之道) and "Handbook of the Rules of Pai Sho" (牌數規則手册).

Book Four: Balance

"After All These Years"

Main article: After All These Years

• The sign at the entrance to the Yi State Capital reads 夷國京師 meaning, predictably, "Yi State Capital".
• The caption on the map on Kuvira's train reads 土國一統全輿圖臨時大總統古維拉轄下, meaning "Map of the Unified Earth Kingdom Under Interim President Kuvira's Administration".
• The name of the hotel at which Prince Wu stays is 四元賓館, meaning "Four Elements Hotel".
• The contract Kuvira gives the village leader to sign reads:

謹依本條約，解體夷國。

根據前述條款，由國際任命

土國臨時大總統金族古維拉

保護及管轄。

夷國總統

土國臨時大總統古維拉

Pursuant to the present treaty, the State of Yi is abolished.

On the basis of the aforementioned clause,

the Earth Kingdom's interim president, Kuvira of the Metal Clan,

is entrusted with the protection and administration of the region.

President of the State of Yi

Interim President of the Earth Kingdom, Kuvira

• Kuvira's banner reads 古維拉總統 一統夷國, "President Kuvira, Unify the State of Yi!"

"The Coronation"

Main article: The Coronation

• The banners flying in Little Ba Sing Se Fashion Mall read 小永固, which translates as "Little Ba Sing Se". The characters used for Ba Sing Se, 永 and 固, mean "perpetually strong".
• A sign in the background while Wu and Mako drink smoothies reads 快樂, meaning "happy". The hanging signs seem to read 紅烧肉, meaning "red braised pork".
• The shops behind King Wu as he confronts the vendors selling T-shirts with an image of Kuvira read 海鲜, 水果, and 地毯, meaning "seafood", "fruit", and "carpets", respectively.

"The Calling"

Main article: The Calling

• The sign above a building in the first town that Meelo and Ikki visit reads 家康酒樂, meaning "Jia Kang wine-house".

• The hanging sign in the town where Meelo meets Tuyen seems to read 羊北, which means "North Goat".
• The vertical panel on the wall seems to read 市北国, which means "City North Country".

"The Battle of Zaofu"

Main article: The Battle of Zaofu

• The banners hung after Kuvira's takeover of Zaofu read 古維拉萬歲, meaning "Long live Kuvira!" and 土帝國, meaning "Earth Empire".

"Reunion"

Main article: Reunion

• The advertisement on the back of Asami's magazine reads:

女士們，我們工業需要你！

你有一份刺激又高薪的職位嗎

來我們招辦事處安排面試吧

我們提供專家和初級職位

不要遲疑 快掌握你的未來

Ladies, Future Industries wants you!

Are you interested in an exciting and rewarding career?

Come on down to one of our recruitment offices and schedule an interview.

We offer expert and entry-level positions.

Don't wait; come and seize your future!

Bolin and Varrick's wanted posters.

• Bolin's wanted poster reads: 懸賞緝拿 前下士博林 土帝國叛徒 meaning "Reward for arrest: former corporal Bolin, Earth Empire traitor." Varrick's reads the same apart from his name, which is written 法力克.

"Remembrances"

Main article: Remembrances

• The plaque in Asami's training room reads 北少林, meaning "Northern Shaolin", a style of Chinese martial arts.

"Operation Beifong"

Main article: Operation Beifong

• The sign on the abandoned metro station in the Republic City Spirit Wilds reads 二十五, meaning "25".

"Kuvira's Gambit"

Main article: Kuvira's Gambit

• The banners seen in the background while Wu gives his evacuation speech seem to read 竜町, meaning "Longting (district)", 品, meaning "goods", and 左仲丁, meaning "domestic helper". The two storefronts have signs that read 彦宝服, "Elegant Treasure Clothing", and 徒王音城, literally "Disciple King Sound Castle": the character in the sun is 土, meaning "earth".
• The number pad in front of a door in Baatar Jr.'s airship includes the Chinese numbers 0–9, as well as 丼 on the bottom left side, which looks like the number sign but actually means "(water) well", and 星 on the bottom right side, meaning "star", which probably refers to the asterisk key. Note that these two keys are swapped, compared to a real-world number pad.

"Day of the Colossus"

Main article: Day of the Colossus

• The words on the paint store window are 富彩, meaning "Rich Color".
• The Future Industries billboard has the same text as Asami's magazine in "Reunion", but is printed backward.

San Diego Comic-Con panel

• In the Comic-Con presentation where Korra is seen battling multiple Equalists, several signs and advertisements can be seen, though not all are legible: 來, meaning "come" or "return", 風, meaning "wind", and 火人街, meaning "Fire People Street".

Literature

The Book of Clouds was owned by Wu.

There are many books and scrolls in the Avatar world. Many of these are located, or have a copy at Wan Shi Tong's Library.

List of known works

• A Correction in Response to the Many Dangerous Falsehoods Perpetuated by the Dishonest 'Traveler' Supposedly Named Ashō - Written during the era of Szeto, this text contains various corrections and revelations which expose many stories by travel writer Ashō as lies.
• A Discourse on Floodplain Management - A book written by Mesose; a copy of it could still be found in the Great Library of the Western Air Temple long after its author had passed away.
• A History of Team Avatar - A historical saga recounting the many adventures of Avatar Aang and his friends.
• Book of Clouds - A book belonging to the fortuneteller Aunt Wu used in divining the meanings and portents of various cloud shapes.
• Book of Consequence - Journal written by General Wei, detailing his strategies.
• Book of Destruction - A book which survived Zhao's burning of the Fire Nation section of Wan Shi Tong's Library.
• Book of Earth Rumble - Containing tactics used by Earth Rumble champions.
• Book of Earth Justice - Containing information of daofei politics in Ba Sing Se.
• Book of Freedom - Containing songs and poems collected by a traveling band.
• Book of Knowledge - Containing quotes and aphorisms known to have been spoken by Avatars across the generations.
• Book of Legacy - Containing an alleged path to immortality.
• Book of Life - Containing tales about the origin of bending.
• Book of Lightning - Recounting the lineage of the rare lightning bending ability of the Fire Nation.
• Book of Lovers - Collection of romantic songs.
• Book of Precision - A book by Colonel Shinu on precision which became popular among merchants.
• Book of Rebellion - Journal of an ex-Fire Nation prison camp inmate.
• Book of Rejuvenation - Containing recipes for medicine.
• Book of Time - Describing origin of temporal events through the clashing of celestial forces.
• Book of Unity - Containing the reflections of temple sages.
• Book of War - A book chronicling the Hundred Year War.
• Book of the Blade - Containing martial arts teachings.
• Book of the Deserter - Popular among Fire Nation exiles.

Call to Freedom, a Fifth Nation propaganda pamphlet.

• Call to Freedom - A propaganda pamphlet produced by the Fifth Nation to attract new members. It extolled the Fifth Nation's treatment of all members as equals regardless of origin.
• General Wei's training scrolls - Martial arts teachings written by Wei.
• Encyclopedia - A collection of information that Earth King Kuei used to teach Bosco how to live in the wild.
• Hidden Arts - Training scrolls and personal thoughts of Tidao the martial arts master.
• History Book collection - A series of history books detailing the transition of the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom into the United Republic of Nations. Volumes include Origins of the Harmony Restoration Movement, Shifting Allegiances, A Turning Point, and Rise of the Resistance.
• How To Be a Righteous Man - A book found in a policeman's drawer. It has a drawing of a shirtless man in a kung-fu pose on the cover.
• Katara's diary - Katara's record of the events following the fall of Ba Sing Se.
• Poems of Laghima - A collection of the writings of Guru Laghima. At least part of the collection is based on the work of a pilgrim who encountered Laghima.
• Scroll - Given to Prince Zuko by a mysterious cloaked figure.
• Scroll of Freedom - Containing ink drawings of airbending techniques.
• Scroll of Precision - Containing the notes on precision that Colonel Shinu's finished Book of Precision did not include.
• Scroll of Unity - Containing information on bending forms practiced by South Sea islanders.
• Scroll of War - Containing information on ancient martial arts of the four nations.
• Star chart - A chart of the stars in the sky. It can be used to guide people across unknown lands by showing them how to follow the path of stars.
• Ten Chapters on Celestial Circles and Other Artful Mathematics - A treatise by Huiliu, explaining how to calculate the unending ratio between a circle's outside and its width by using ever-narrowing straight-sided shapes.
• The Boy in the Iceberg by Pu-on Tim - A play recounting the actions of Team Avatar during the last year of the war, but with a pro-Fire Nation ending.
• The Complete Works of Shoken - A collection of the writings of Guru Shoken. A copy was owned by Zongdu Chaisee, who gifted it to Avatar Yangchen.
• The Flame in the Mind: Oscillations and Harmonies - An old, popular layman's compilation of techniques to assist in meditation from across the four nations.
• The Greatest Nation's Royal-Issue Atlas - A large printed atlas of the Fire Nation, its territories and cities. A copy was used by Hakoda to plan the failed invasion of the Fire Nation on the Day of Black Sun.
• The Last Will and Testament of Fire Lord Sozin by Fire Lord Sozin - A secret autobiography of the Fire Lord's life, kept in the Dragonbone Catacombs.
• The Lives of the Avatars by Jinpa - Written during the early era of Kyoshi, this text contains a history of the known Avatars. Its most detailed sections deal with Kyoshi's early life, including the downfall of the "False Avatar" Yun.
• The Long Road by Ashō - An entertained autobiographical travelogue written during the era of Szeto, containing several fantastical elements. Many claims in the text were exposed as fraudulent by another writer.
• The Pearls of Laghima - A collection of essays written over the generations to interpret the teachings of Laghima. Zongdu Chaisee owned a copy in her library.
• Theory of Grain Distributions - A work written by Avatar Szeto. Yim made Korra study this after she got distracted during her firebending training.
• Unabridged history of the Fire Nation - Written by Zinlai, National Historian of the Fire Nation; contrary to the author's claim, the book was heavily censored to comply with the propaganda of Fire Lord Azulon's government.
• Unknown historical romance - A love storytelling the history of a doomed love between a princess and the son of an enemy general. Because they could not be together, she rode a dragon into battle and burned down the entire country before throwing herself into a volcano.
• Waterbending scroll - A rare and valuable teaching scroll stolen from the Northern Water Tribe by pirates, later recovered by Katara and was donated to Wan Shi Tong and his collection of knowledge.
• Yuan Zhen's love poetry

Newspapers

The United Daily News is read by the Fire Nation councilwoman's husband.

A newspaper is a type of inexpensive daily publication found in Republic City that communicates news stories, current events, and informational articles about the goings on in and around the city. At least five different newspapers operate in the city: the Yuan News (元訊), the Republic News (共和國新聞), the United Daily News (聯合日報), The Elemental Times, and The Republic Reporter.

Boat Bottom, a fishing village on the western coast of the Earth Kingdom continent, had at least two newspapers: the Boat Bottom Tribune and the Boat Bottom Junior Academy Gazette.

Notes

The set of Chinese characters featured in Avatar is predominantly traditional, used regularly in modern Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as older overseas Chinese communities. Many characters were simplified in the 20th century as part of a literacy campaign by the Chinese Communist party and are used in Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia and by the United Nations. Readers should note that contrary to popular belief, most Chinese characters are not stylized representations of pictures, that is, most characters are not pictograms. Though many of the characters once were pictograms, centuries of change has rendered the resemblance almost non-existent.

Trivia

• The written Chinese content in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra was provided by cultural consultant Dr. Siu-Leung Lee. He handled all of the translation and calligraphy for both shows, including the calligraphy for the logo of the former. His vast knowledge of various styles of calligraphy throughout China's history added a culturally grounding component to the show. While most of the Chinese used was classical Chinese, Lee used his deep knowledge of archaic Chinese for ancient texts about spirits or elements.
• The writing in the movie adaptation The Last Airbender uses a made-up language influenced by Chinese calligraphy, rather than using written Chinese as done in the original animated series.
• With the exception of the score cards in the non-canon Super Deformed Short "Bending Battle", a deck of cards in Imbalance Part Two features the only known depiction of numbers as Arabic numerals in the Avatar universe.

See also

• Influences on the Avatar franchise
• Writing in the World of Avatar from the live-action series