Determining a Bender

[Moogle Spirit]

Ahh yes.

Anybody remember this topic?? If not, then no need to worry. xD

So after ATLA's run, do we think we have enough knowledge to know how an individual's bending is brought upon?

Is it genetics? Consider the royal Fire Nation family and Katara and Sokka's family.

Is it Spirituality? Do you need to have a mentality and/or beliefs of a fierce Fire Nation citizen to wield Firebending? Or a calm Air Nomad state of mind to flow with Air?

Is it region? Think of this scenario: What if a baby was born in Ba Sing Se, but was immediately raised at the Norther Water Tribe. What element would the child bend, if any at all?

Okay, keep in mind this: ONLY the Avatar gets to enjoy all elements. I don't want to read "combined" elements. Elements can share bending technique characteristics like sand bending, redirecting, lightning, heat transfer, lava bending etc...

[Teᴙa253]

I'd personally say it has to do with genetics and spirituality.
spirituality to determine whether or not a person is a bender, and genetics to decide what type of bender.

just my two bits on the matter.
~Iroh~

[burningmoon65]

I'd also say Genetics and Spirituality.

Genetics: Only the Royal Family of the Fire Nation is able to bend lightning. No one else.

Spirituality: Earthbenders are stubborn and unmovable (like a Rock) letting them be able to Bend their Element well. Waterbenders seem to flow with the Water that they're Bending. A Firebender's determination and Strong will keep them going even through the toughest of times. The Air Nomads believe in Peace upon the Earth, which makes their Bending pretty much Gentle.

[Teᴙa253]

all of the Air Nomads were airbenders, so spirituality seems to be a part of it for sure.

also though, I recalle reading somewhere that Mike and Bryan purposely made "determining a bender" seem like a mystery.

just two moer bits.
~Katara~