Join

We're moving Forums to the Community pages. Click here for more information and updates.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Forums

Nickelodeon (ended 2008)

Anyone ever thought about how people would be buried in the Avatar world?

  • Avatar of Miroku_of_Nite1

    Miroku_of_Nite1

    [1]Dec 13, 2006
    • member since: 01/09/05
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 3,322
    While at work yesterday, I started thinking about the ways each nation would deal with the dead. Anyone have any thoughts on what you think each nation does?

    My thoughts seemed to be based around the idea of returning the body to the nations element of choice.

    Such as using a pyre for Fire Nation burials to return the body to the flames.
    Burring people out at sea for Water Tribes to return the body to the mother ocean.
    Burring people underground (Like we do)for Earth Kingdom. To return to the Earth and start the natural cycle.
    Sending bodies off in hot air balloons?? to be free in the sky. Air Nomads.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of lightningprince

    lightningprince

    [2]Dec 13, 2006
    • member since: 08/05/04
    • level: 1
    • rank: Weatherman
    • posts: 48
    Interesting. I disagree with the nomads, but the others seem right. The nomads would probably burn them then scatter thier ashes on the wind (or something like that)
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of ardron

    ardron

    [3]Dec 13, 2006
    • member since: 08/05/06
    • level: 11
    • rank: Red Shirted Lt.
    • posts: 941
    This topic is great! Unfortunately, I have no clue. How bout mummification? Thats nice and exotic.
    Edited on 12/13/2006 8:40pm
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Miroku_of_Nite1

    Miroku_of_Nite1

    [4]Dec 13, 2006
    • member since: 01/09/05
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 3,322
    lightningprince wrote:
    Interesting. I disagree with the nomads, but the others seem right. The nomads would probably burn them then scatter thier ashes on the wind (or something like that)


    Yeah, that sounds more logical. Like there would be some cliff somewhere with a strong wind that always blew for scattering ashes.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of candygirl527

    candygirl527

    [5]Dec 13, 2006
    • member since: 04/05/06
    • level: 5
    • rank: Caveman Lawyer
    • posts: 83
    thats very interesting. i think the wind/ash thing and all the other ones are right.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Nalesnik

    Nalesnik

    [6]Dec 13, 2006
    • member since: 11/25/06
    • level: 7
    • rank: Talk Show Host
    • posts: 917
    The fire nation do cremated their dead, by lighting them on fire. They did it to Azulon in a flashback in Zuko Alone.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Miroku_of_Nite1

    Miroku_of_Nite1

    [7]Dec 14, 2006
    • member since: 01/09/05
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 3,322
    True, but would everyone get that treatment?
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Lisa31468

    Lisa31468

    [8]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 07/27/06
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 4,960

    This is a really good topic idea. I am glad that there are not hints in the Avatar storyline of the Buddhist tradition of feeding the deceased to vultures. I like the elemental funeral idea much better! lol

    The thought with this custom??is that the body was merely a vessel for the soul during life and the soul is what is real. Therefore the body is no longer of any use (even to the grieving left behind) because the real existance (the soul) has already vacated the body. Therefore feeding it to the??vultures is just returning to life what was first given.

    Gruesome I know, but very Buddhist.

    Edited on 12/15/2006 7:47am
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Miroku_of_Nite1

    Miroku_of_Nite1

    [9]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 01/09/05
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 3,322
    Lisa31468 wrote:

    This is a really good topic idea. I am glad that there are not hints in the Avatar storyline that the Buddhist tradition of feeding the deceased to vultures. I like the elemental funeral idea much better! lol

    The thought with this custom is that the body was merely a vessel for the soul during life and the soul is what is real. Therefore the body is no longer of any use (even to the grieving left behind) because the real existance (the soul) has already vacated the body. Therefore feeding it to the vultures is just returning to life what was first given.

    Gruesome I know, but very Buddhist.


    True about that. But that would be the last way I would want my body to be dealt with in death. To have your body picked apart by Carrion birds and bones scatted by animals.

    But I believe it is in India if you find a dead body you have to bury it or at least dispose of it on your own. But nowadays people in India just get cremated and dumped into the Ganges River, or just cremated due to space restrictions and cost.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of elementhero14

    elementhero14

    [10]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 09/24/05
    • level: 1
    • rank: Weatherman
    • posts: 24
    i like all the ideas, but were gona have to deal with the fact that with people being buried for the earth kingdom, earth benders throw chunks of earth around, i mean how freaky would it be if you were fighting an earthbender and then in the chunk of earth you see a dead person
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Miroku_of_Nite1

    Miroku_of_Nite1

    [11]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 01/09/05
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 3,322
    elementhero14 wrote:
    i like all the ideas, but were gona have to deal with the fact that with people being buried for the earth kingdom, earth benders throw chunks of earth around, i mean how freaky would it be if you were fighting an earthbender and then in the chunk of earth you see a dead person


    Well if when they bury you if the force of the earth moved around you doesn't crush your body then I don't know. Although it would be a neat battle with a earthbender in a Earth Kingdom graveyard.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of tico1125

    tico1125

    [12]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 10/24/06
    • level: 6
    • rank: Small Wonder
    • posts: 1,401
    Miroku_of_Nite1 wrote:
    While at work yesterday, I started thinking about the ways each nation would deal with the dead. Anyone have any thoughts on what you think each nation does?

    My thoughts seemed to be based around the idea of returning the body to the nations element of choice.

    Such as using a pyre for Fire Nation burials to return the body to the flames.
    Burring people out at sea for Water Tribes to return the body to the mother ocean.
    Burring people underground (Like we do)for Earth Kingdom. To return to the Earth and start the natural cycle.
    Sending bodies off in hot air balloons to be free in the sky. Air Nomads.

    I can agree with you on some.?? Here is what I think.
    Fire= cremation (Azulon's death)
    Earth= bury or create a stone tomb (They are earthbenders so I think a tomb is more likely.?? Look at the cave of two lovers episode.)
    Water= burial at sea
    Air= Throw the body into a tornado!?? ROFL
    Sorry I had to do that...
    Ok maybe for the people of the air they have special tombs where natural air currents flow.?? Although that might get stinky.??
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of spirou852

    spirou852

    [13]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 12/04/06
    • level: 2
    • rank: Sweat Hog
    • posts: 40
    What's so wrong with the??vulture ceremony, I do agree that they wouldn't show it because it's still nicolodeon but it has a deep spiritual meaning and is performed by the tibetan people while Aang shares many similarities with those folks.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Lisa31468

    Lisa31468

    [14]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 07/27/06
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 4,960

    spirou852 wrote:
    What's so wrong with the??vulture ceremony, I do agree that they wouldn't show it because it's still nicolodeon but it has a deep spiritual meaning and is performed by the tibetan people while Aang shares many similarities with those folks.

    I always have to turn my head away when watching 'Kundun' for that very reason.

    But you are right it would definitely fall in line with the continuing Buddhist spiritual practice seen in Avatar.

    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of windseeker15

    windseeker15

    [15]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 01/08/06
    • level: 9
    • rank: Door Number 2
    • posts: 1,122
    Lisa31468 wrote:

    This is a really good topic idea. I am glad that there are not hints in the Avatar storyline of the Buddhist tradition of feeding the deceased to vultures.

    Zoroastrians had a similar traditon. They would leave their dead atop open-topped enclosures, called Towers of Silence, or Dokhmas. Vultures and the weather would remove the flesh off the bones. Once the bones were bleached by the sun and wind, they were then placed into an ossuary at the center of the Tower. Fire and Earth were considered too sacred for the dead to be placed in them.

    I don't that used very often anymore??though. (though some group still practice it). I don't see anyhting wrong with it, I would rather have that done than have my body rot in a closed coffin.

    Edited on 12/15/2006 1:24pm
    Edited 2 total times.
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of windseeker15

    windseeker15

    [16]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 01/08/06
    • level: 9
    • rank: Door Number 2
    • posts: 1,122
    Miroku_of_Nite1 wrote:
    Sending bodies off in hot air balloons?? to be free in the sky. Air Nomads.


    ROFL

    Sorry...I just got the image of what would happen once the ballon runs out of fuel.
    Watch out below!
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of ardron

    ardron

    [17]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 08/05/06
    • level: 11
    • rank: Red Shirted Lt.
    • posts: 941

    windseeker15 wrote:
    Miroku_of_Nite1 wrote:
    Sending bodies off in hot air balloons?? to be free in the sky. Air Nomads.
    ROFL Sorry...I just got the image of what would happen once the ballon runs out of fuel. Watch out below!

    I still like mummification.

    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of Lisa31468

    Lisa31468

    [18]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 07/27/06
    • level: 17
    • rank: The Crazy Neighbor
    • posts: 4,960

    ~Monty Python~

    "Bring out your dead. Bring out your dead."

    "I'm not dead yet!" "I feel happppy! ??I feel--"

    KONK

    "Bring out your dead. Bring out your dead."

    Sorry...please continue with your regularly scheduled topic...

    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of 5Cartooner9

    5Cartooner9

    [19]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 12/15/06
    • level: 3
    • rank: Soup Nazi
    • posts: 483
    I think the fire nation feed the carcasses to vultures
    (actually not really, but that would be cool)
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
  • Avatar of 5Cartooner9

    5Cartooner9

    [20]Dec 15, 2006
    • member since: 12/15/06
    • level: 3
    • rank: Soup Nazi
    • posts: 483
    It would also be cool if the Earth Kingdom just smashed the body into dust with a giant boulder
    You must be registered and logged in to post a message.
Shows | Movies | Web | People | News | Videos | Community
Listings | Photos | Forums | Closed Captioning | Rating Guidelines
CBS Entertainment About CBS Interactive | About TV.com | Contact Us | Jobs | Advertise
© 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. TV Guide Digital Network | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use