The Avatar Cycle is one of the key features of the Avatar franchise. Each time an Avatar dies, the Avatar Spirit reincarnates in the next nation in the Cycle (Air, Water, Earth, Fire). In Avatar: The Legend of Korra, this cycle is further explained, where we learn that the Avatar Spirit was Raava, the Spirit of Light, who carries bending abilities from one body to another.
Now, we understand that the spirit travels around the four nations, settling in the body of the next bender in the cycle. However, a curious theory has allegedly broken down what is the pre-requisite for Raava’s selection process. The theory draws from another speculation that has been making the rounds on the internet, one that explains how sub-bending works in the world of Avatar.
It’s all about genetics in Avatar
The theory stems from the character of Bolin from The Legend of Korra. Introduced as part of a pro-bending team with his biological brother Mako, Bolin is an earthbender while Mako is a firebender. Both the brothers would end up joining Korra as a part of her team. Mako is able to bend fire and also generate electricity. Bolin is unable to bend metal but can bend lava, later in the series.
The theory states that Bolin’s affinity to bend lava comes from his dual Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation heritage. There is further precedent about how diverse philosophies can help unlock sub-bendings, as demonstrated by Iroh in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Iroh is able to bend lightning by employing waterbending techniques alongside his firebending abilities.
This theory states that sub-bending abilities are a result of mixed genetics, and even though the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender is fairly isolationist, the vessel for the Avatar somehow has all four types of benders in their lineage. This would mean that the spirit of Raava carefully chooses Avatars from diverse families, allowing them to harness her abilities to the fullest.
Combustion Man and P’Li also lend credence to the theory
Combustion Man and P’Li are two characters who we have seen combustionbend in the series, and both these characters, despite being firbenders. have a lot of airbending culture in their mannerisms. They wear tattoos that help them focus their energies. They also shave their hair for better control. These practices are usually associated with Air Nomads, hinting that their heritage could be tied to both the Fire Nation and Air Temples.
The theory rests on the fact that there must have been some intermingling between the nations before they settled into their respective states. By the time Aang came around certain individuals had multicultural backgrounds, given how fluid nationhood was in the older times. As tribes ventured into the forest during the time of Avatar Wan, nationhood identities could have taken some time to form, allowing for intermingling before the countries became purists with regard to their bending.
