“Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything.”
The water nation is bifurcated, with two tribes living at opposite poles of the Earth: the isolationist and unified Northern Water Tribe and the less advanced Southern Water Tribe, which has been whittled down by Fire Nation raids.
Ancient Waterbenders learned to master the element by studying the Moon and how it regulates the flow of the ocean. Notice how often Katara steps backward while pulling the water into the air and then thrusts herself forward, mimicking the movements of an ocean wave. Due to this, Waterbenders are most powerful during a full Moon.
Waterbending involves control of water in all its forms. Waterbenders can control ice to make shields or stabbing weapons, as well as freezing and/or melting existing water. Waterbenders can also use the element to heal bodily injuries since water is the root of life. On the flip side, skilled Waterbenders can even control the water that exists inside living things with a dark art called Bloodbending.
Waterbending is modeled on Tai Chi, a slower-paced form that concentrates on peaceful body movements. Tai Chi is less about hitting hard and more about refining your posture and flexibility. Waterbending moves typically feature wide arm reaches and circular movements, while the bender consistently adjusts their stance to complement the direction of their upper body. It’s as if the bender is tuning their body to flow like the water surrounding them. This carries over to combat, where Waterbenders rarely stay in place. Instead, they adapt to their opponent’s moves, dodge them, and then are quick enough to strike back.