i was being sarcastic

I don't think it was a waterbender who started the cycle. I understand where your coming from on the 'balanced' issue, but from a socioeconomic standpoint, it seems to me that Earthnation would be the most likely candidate. I don't think that the Waternations frankly pathetic economic structure-from what little we've seen of it- would have produced somebody great enough to unite the factions. I would think that something of their former glory would appear in their culture, adn while respectable and powerful, it does not seem like avatar building material. Then again, it appears to have happened thousands of years ago, could have meant anything. Besides which, could it be that the first Avatar was the creater of the art of bending in general? Or was that addressed in one of the episodes?

I thought that the Spirits of the Elements reincarnated themselves into someone destined to be worthy, not just some person who was economically stable and powerful. The first Avatar most likely existed before the forming of Nations and Kingdoms, in a balanced society. Someone to keep the balance of the elements and the people. So, I would say that the first Avatar was from the "world" and not from any specific Nation. This makes most sense to me, seeing as the Spirits of the Elements work to keep balance between themselves and the world.

I agree with Kusari I don't think the first avatar was from any pasific nation but was just some guy/girl who was chosen by the sipirits who gave him/her the ablility to bend

Thank but I'm curious who came first the avatar or the other benders? we've learnd how earth bending and water bending got started but did the avatar get his powers before that?

Maybe some kind of spirit help?


I don't know.... *Sigh*

Yea, I think this is one of those "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" questions. Personally I think that it was simultaneous. As in, when bending was discovered, the Spirits gave someone worthy the ability to bend all elements, some one who could lead the other benders and bring peace and balance. I hope I'm not being to redundant with my whole balance idea...

No, no... Not redundant at all. I was sort of thinking the same thing... But seriously, why didn't the creators tell us this stuff?! Well, I guess it's not their fault.

The room was made weird... they seemed to go inward spiraling to the center on the floor but that wouldn't explain the ones on the walls... So im not even sure where you would look if you could see all of the statue room. But yes as mentioned before several times it was very likely a Water Bender.

I personally dont agree with the whole economic approach to balance. I mean look at Aang... it wasn't like he was wealthy in his time. He was just one of the air benders. I dont think that it would be based around economics or social standing to keep balance. I think the Avatar was likely created after benders during a time of crisis... and the avatar would continue to prevent crisis from happening. I dunno that may just be me though.

No, I think he meant the first avatar was chosen due to economics, not every subsequent ones. I disagree, however, and I don't think all benders and the avatar could have been spawned simultaneously. What are the chances of those mole things teaching the two lovers at the same time as the moon spirit and ocean spirit taught the first waterbenders? It seems to me it happened much like evolution- each nation eventually spawning individuals worthy of the spirit's attention and teaching, and then, when things became unbalanced, those spirits got together to create the avatar, the ultimate balance-keeper.

Why does everyone think the first was a 'he'. It could easily have been a girl.

Yes, new theory: the First Avatar was Toph!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY

The First Avatar was obligatorily a bender from the nation which had the first benders. That's why I think it was a Waterbender (male or female ?) and that explains why the Water is the first element in the cycle (it's just a theory but I think I'm close to the truth).

I think the first Avatar was Earth, because think about it: The First Avatar sprung from what? The Earth itself. I think he was actually created, not born, and was created with complete mastery over every element. I mean, how could someone born with waterbending ever know he was something more, unless he was specifically told, "You can bend every element" The Avatars never knew they were the Avatars unless they were told. They didnt know from birth that they needed to master every element and bring peace, unless either, 1.) The spirits told the humans specifically(not likely), or 2.)The Avatar was created independent of a nation, and so knew his purpose from the moment of his creation.

But if a Nation were to be chosen, I'd say Earth, not Earth Kingdom, but the Earth itself

Yeah... You're right I didn't think about it. I just focalized on the first bending which was (I think) the Water and that's the most obvious theory because of the Avatar cycle (the satues in the Air Temple sanctuary).

Again, I dont think the cycle necessarily is because of the first bending to the last, you never actually see the second Avatar(if you read my earlier post, then youd know I think the second avatar was the first one to be born to a Nation), which would be the one to actually start the cycle. I think they were just going water/earth/fire/air because Aang was the current avatar and so Air was the last reincarnation. Which would mean that actually, the second avatar couldve been earth fire or air.