Post by Lemur God on Dec 9, 2005 22:17:37 GMT -5
~The Fire Nation~
The Fire Nation’s culture is one that is military down to its core. It is most like Ming Dynasty China, with hints of the more militant parts of Japanese culture along with some of what would’ve been seen during the Four Kingdoms period in China. In short, it is a nation that worships conquest.
Though this pushes for an army, it doesn’t make all members of this army evil. Nor does it make all citizens of the Fire Nation warmongers. However, the society is very structured, and in upper classes, honor is everything. Duels of honor, Agni Kai, are held at sunrise and sunset and are often viewed by everyone involved in that incident. Some cities even boast grand arenas where the duels are shown publicly to the masses.
In the Fire Nation, any young man with bending talent is pushed towards the army and navy. The royal family consists of benders who have been using selective breeding to hone their talents. Marriages in the Fire Nation are arraigned, especially for the upper classes.
Fire Nation society is really class conscious and class based. A story like ‘Cinderella’ where a simple maid becomes a princess would be impossible. Women are taught their place early on, and are expected to abide by it, for the most part. Female firebenders serve as teachers for the young talented children, as the men spend most of their time away at war. Of course, this is about the only extent of their talents that is considered acceptable in most cases. The occasional high born woman with backing from her family can pursue training that she might never get otherwise, as is the case with Zula.
The common people of the Fire Nation, however, live their lives. If they have talent, they’re drafted into the army at about sixteen, and expected to serve for life. Occasionally young men do escape that fate though. (Like the Illusionist in the Fire Nation Festival.)
Everything about the fire nation is hot. The food is hot, the celebrations are awash with fire works, the nation’s symbol is the dragon and children are taught to love and honor the Fire Lord like they would a father. And in the merchant and lower classes, the people go about their lives.
The Fire Nation’s culture is one that is military down to its core. It is most like Ming Dynasty China, with hints of the more militant parts of Japanese culture along with some of what would’ve been seen during the Four Kingdoms period in China. In short, it is a nation that worships conquest.
Though this pushes for an army, it doesn’t make all members of this army evil. Nor does it make all citizens of the Fire Nation warmongers. However, the society is very structured, and in upper classes, honor is everything. Duels of honor, Agni Kai, are held at sunrise and sunset and are often viewed by everyone involved in that incident. Some cities even boast grand arenas where the duels are shown publicly to the masses.
In the Fire Nation, any young man with bending talent is pushed towards the army and navy. The royal family consists of benders who have been using selective breeding to hone their talents. Marriages in the Fire Nation are arraigned, especially for the upper classes.
Fire Nation society is really class conscious and class based. A story like ‘Cinderella’ where a simple maid becomes a princess would be impossible. Women are taught their place early on, and are expected to abide by it, for the most part. Female firebenders serve as teachers for the young talented children, as the men spend most of their time away at war. Of course, this is about the only extent of their talents that is considered acceptable in most cases. The occasional high born woman with backing from her family can pursue training that she might never get otherwise, as is the case with Zula.
The common people of the Fire Nation, however, live their lives. If they have talent, they’re drafted into the army at about sixteen, and expected to serve for life. Occasionally young men do escape that fate though. (Like the Illusionist in the Fire Nation Festival.)
Everything about the fire nation is hot. The food is hot, the celebrations are awash with fire works, the nation’s symbol is the dragon and children are taught to love and honor the Fire Lord like they would a father. And in the merchant and lower classes, the people go about their lives.