silversandwichwisdoom - Tumblr blog

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so many zuko fics that don’t have the ba sing se betrayal completely mess up kataras character

they make her so mean, sometimes even cruel, forgetting that before the betrayal she was 100% for trusting him, she even wanted to use her spirit water to help him.

in a world where the betrayal didn’t happen, katara wouldn’t be hateful and mean towards him, and sokka wouldn’t be the first to trust him

katara pre-ba sing se would’ve LOVED awkward zuko

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Aang: Oh, fiddlesticks! That really ruffles my feathers!

Toph: Please, just say fuck.

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my little character study of aang.... because i love him more than anything

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Random notes: Ozai's fighting style

"Ozai is very traditional Northern Shaolin boxing style. His is all about Power, Power, Power. He’d basically be a bigger, more skilled Zuko if Zuko never traveled the world and learned different techniques." @kyrievali

The Northern Shaolin style of kung fu is one of the most prominent traditional northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The northern styles of kung-fu generally emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks.

The firebending officially is based on NS style (with the exception of Azula who's a Chanchuan user; a counter style). It's an external style which focuses on power.

Firebending is about quick movements, but I can imagine Ozai does lifting and/or boxing in his training to increase the strength of his blows. This is why he has a strong yet graceful body.

He only used one feet to propel himself in his fight with Aang before the later enter the Avatar State. He's really good at fighting and maneuvering in mid air , which alone proves how skilled he is.

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Cultural Practices: Earth Kingdom Money Pt. 1

Told you I’d have this one out before 2022!

Like with the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom’s currency comes in denominations of copper, silver, and gold. However, unlike the island empire, typical EK money appears to be cast into a very uniform size and shape. This mold of a round coin with a square hole in the middle is known in Chinese as fāng kǒng qián (方孔錢) or “square-holed money”. This style of coin was used in China from the 4th century BC until the 20th century AD, over 2000 years. Other currencies based on this coin include the Japanese mon, Korean mun, and Vietnamese văn. Nowadays, these coins are primarily used for good luck charms and divination.

The “round coin, square hole” design is both practical and symbolic. From a practical perspective, the holes in the coins allow them to be strung through a thin rope, making them easy to carry and spend in large quantities. Instead of counting each coin individually, a seller could simply measure the length of a coin-rope to determine how much they were receiving. This technique was essentially the Imperial Chinese equivalent to the modern day coin wrapper.

From a symbolic and artistic perspective, the design alludes to the idea of Tian Yuan Di Fang (天圓地方) or “Round Sky, Square Earth”. As the name implies, the square hole represents the element of earth and the round coin represents the sky. The two symbols combined represent two contrasting ideas unifying to create a cohesive whole, the steady land in harmony with the ever-shifting heavens. I guess the ancient Chinese conception of planet Earth was sort of like a piece of paper floating in a dome or bubble.

Anyways, considering the symbolism behind the coin design, it’s a very appropriate form of currency for the Earth Kingdom. Essentially, the square earth centered on a round sky could reflect a nationalistic belief that their country is the center of the world. Certainly, the way Ba Sing Se is structured and ruled implicitly reflects this belief. It would also explain why the “Round Sky, Square Earth” motif shows up on other objects throughout the Earth Kingdom.

In Part 2, I’ll discuss the history behind the uniquely-shaped gold that Toph’s parents use to pay Yu and Xin Fu to capture Toph. Because of course the obscenely wealthy Beifongs wouldn’t pay using mere commoner’s coins…

Like what I’m doing? Tips always appreciated, never expected. ^_^

https://ko-fi.com/atlaculture

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some Korrasami for your soul 🌈

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This is so me with Zuko

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"Aang is not empathetic. He doesn't help people unless it benefits him."

Zutara's stans, your precious Zuko would be dead in season 1 if Aang was what you think he is :)

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Mai and Ty Lee have the best dynamics :’)

based on this post by @your-royal-momoness

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AU where Sokka’s high-on-cactus-juice encounter with the giant mushroom takes a dark turn. (Also he has a gun)

based on this beautiful tumblr post

bonus:

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I love Zutara as much as the next girlie, but I think people romanticizing Zuko catching Azula's lightning in the Final Agni Kai are doing Zuko's character a massive disservice. He would have done that for anyone. Not just anyone in the Gaang, anyone.

He did it for the division he ended up getting burned over. He did it for his subordinate that was going to fall to his death after the ship was struck by lightning. He did it for Lee, when he was kidnapped by Gao. He did it for Iroh, when he confronted his dad and tried to break him out of prison. He did it for the whole Gaang at the Western Air Temple. He did it for Sokka, Suki, and Hakoda at the Boiling Rock.

His whole character revolves around saving everyone else first. Hell, he tried to save Zhao of all people! There's no way that would have gone well for Zuko if Zhao had actually taken his hand. He always does what he thinks is right first before considering his own safety.

Zuko always saves other people. Even if, especially if, he can't save himself.

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I think a lot of people (including the Ember Island Players) forget that Sokkas comic relief doesn’t come from him being the puns guy but from him being the worlds most miserable little pessimistic guy. He’s on a trip to save the world with two extremely overpowered idealists and an extremely overpowered tank going through a rebellion phase and he’s 15 years old and trying to put them all on toddler leashes and hating the spirt world which keeps spitting in his face and bullying him specifically. Him being miserable is why he’s so endearing.

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avatar world with timezones

i imagine by korra’s time, with all the long-distance travel by ship and rail, that they would have come up with a similar timezone system to ours.

and yes they use a 12/24-hour clock

i put the prime meridian through republic city, because it’s probably where the system would have been invented, being the most technologically advanced place in the world. i included the URN border, walls of ba sing se, as well as

republic city (0)

northern water tribe capital (+1)

southern water tribe capital (0)

the fire nation capital (-5)

the capital of ba sing se (+5)

and the four original air temples (north: +2, south: -1, east: +7, west: -4) 

it’s likely that like in our world, the timezones would be altered to fit human settlements, so for example everything inside the outer walls of ba sing se would likely be +5, even though it spans+4 to +6

feel free to use this for reference or anything :)

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I don't like your ship so I'm going to perform a series of illogical gymnastics and twist myself into knots to come up with a bunch of made-up reasons why it's immoral, instead of just saying "I don't like this" and choosing to focus on the things I actually do like.

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I decided to recall the idea with the elements swap and develop it a bit.

So let’s imagine! Western Air Temple, Katara hates Zuko, but in some incredible way they exchange elements for a while. Katara is a firebender now! Food and Sokka’s nerves  never been in such great danger :)

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You know what also contributes to Azula being seen as such a danger, it’s her landing on her hands and never falling down e.g like Zuko does, it conveys her being a unstoppable force that is competent, just watch The Chase and look at the scenes where it looks like Azula is going to fall but ends landing stable or rescuing herself from it.

The only case where she can't rescue herself is against the might of Iroh's belly

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Ozai: Yes Zhao, esteemed captain, what have you gleamed from your time at the Wan Shi Tong's library combined with your vast naval knowledge?

Zhao: To win the war we must punch the moon.

Ozai: ...I see.

Ozai, throwing titles and warships at Zhao: You're going to be my brother's problem now.