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About Avatar The Last Airbender Tattoos
Whether a fan of the classic show or its driving themes, there’s something about Avatar the Last Airbender that never truly leaves those of us who have followed Aang’s journey to master the elements and stop the Fire Nation.
Often written off as childish by those who haven’t experienced the story first-hand, those well-versed in the narrative understand the bigger themes of female empowerment, destiny, and free will, amongst others, that led the show to become such a large influence in the lives of its viewers.
Following a figure meant to bring peace to the four nations of the world, I’d argue there’s nothing quite as impactful as an Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo to signify not only love for the show but the meaning behind it as well.
While I’d love to spend this article just gushing over my love for the characters and storylines, there’s a bigger picture to consider here. I may be a fan of the show, but that doesn’t just mean any tattoo will do.
Offering up meanings, placements, history, and more, I’m here to help guide anyone interested in adding an Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo to their collection.
What Do Avatar The Last Airbender Tattoos Mean And Symbolize?
Due to the vast themes covered in the three seasons of the original series, there’s a lot of meaning to cover.
Fans tend to find images and symbols from the show that correlate to their own lives the most. This means that the Avatar the Last Airbender designs can be everything from characters to figures that only appeared on screen once – it’s all about that personal connection to the storyline.
The Avatar the Last Airbender meaning tends to come from key themes uncovered in the plot and those ideas show themselves in familiar faces. Some of the most popular symbols to see are:
- Aang – as the protagonist of the series, it’s no surprise to know that Aang makes a common appearance as the figurehead of tattoos for the show. His journey of peace and discovery is one we can all admire as he continually put forth the message that everyone is worth giving a chance, no matter how they first present themselves. We all may be capable of evil, but everyone in the world is equally capable of doing great good.
- Appa – Aang’s faithful friend, Appa tends to be a big one in the world of Avatar the Last Airbender ideas. This adorable creature offers both happy reminders of childhood and stands for the themes of support and friendship. Always by Aang’s side to help him through tough times, this cuddly figure may never speak, but he proves that sometimes all we need is someone to lean on.
- Iroh – while not appearing as frequently as an Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo, this kind uncle is the family member we all wish we had. Often serving as comedic relief, Iroh also steps in to remind us that above all else, happiness and love are the keys to living full lives.
- Zuko – whether seen in tattoos as his scarred figure or by the mask he wears, Zuko appears as a reminder of resilience and redemption. Though his arc originally surprised many, he served as an important figure in teaching viewers the power of forging our own paths and finding our own destinies.
- Four Nations – while it’s easy to say that Four Nations tattoos are a staple of the show, these images serve as more than just icons for each of the elements. All four in one stands for balance and peace, reminding us of the importance each element brings to the world and how they work in harmony. Reminding us to breathe and balance our lives, these symbols have meaning far beyond the show.
- Koi Fish – fans of the show will understand that the koi fish appear as more than just a reference to season one. Appearing in the show as a sacrifice for the betterment of the Waterbenders, this image of the white and black koi fish (also referencing the yin and yang symbol) showcase the beauty in sacrifice and balance.
I could really go on, but ultimately, the meaning behind an Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo tends to come down to the design itself.
Whether looking to symbolize strength, hope, balance, ingenuity, or any of the other dozen themes seen across the seasons, there’s a symbol for it that easily ties into the characters and the show we love.
Where To Get An Avatar The Last Airbender Tattoo
It can be difficult to take the time to consider the placement of any design, let alone an Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo. Sometimes we just want to rush ahead and get the job done, but sometimes things like this take planning and precision to get the best results and after design, it all comes down to location.
I’ll admit that many examples online tend to appear on the arms and legs. These spots serve well as a base for any larger designs due to the expanse of skin and muscle alongside the skin quality offered.
By skin quality, I’m talking about a few key elements:
- Sun exposure – I’m not sure if everyone is aware, but sun exposure can definitely do some damage to tattoos. Just like too much sun can dry out skin, it can also cause fading of designs, meaning shoulders, hands, and ankles tend to see faster fading due to the longer exposure times.
This damage can be slowed with moisturization and constant hydration, but the inner forearm tends to offer the most protection from this constant exposure. - Skin elasticity – there are a lot of pieces at play regarding how a tattoo holds up over time and one of the biggest ones actually comes from elasticity. There are two factors here: aging and weight.
Weight gain can break down the pigments as the skin stretches, meaning locations that see the effects of weight gain and loss are at risk of tattoo damage (i.e., stomach, ribs, back, thighs, etc). Aging tends to include skin tags and these typically appear around the midriff, elbows, knees, and wrists.
Designs may not be perfect over time, but there are ways to treat the skin to assist tattoos in staying defined for longer. Safe to say for those looking to get an Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo, these spots are popular placements for a reason.
How Much Do Avatar The Last Airbender Tattoos Cost?
I’ll be the first to admit that costs can change incredibly quickly depending on location. Artists usually ask for different amounts based on their work, clientele, experience, equipment, and more.
There are a lot of factors that go into pricing for tattoos (even if they are a really cool Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo).
Typically, costs are calculated by size, the intricacy of design, and the waiting list of the artist themselves. Most will charge by the hour for their work while others go the route of charging per letter depending on the piece.
On average, pricing for pieces sits somewhere in the ranges of:
- Mini (under 2 inches) – $30 to $100
- Small (2 to 4 inches) – $50 to $250
- Medium (4 to 6 inches) – $150 to $450
- Large (6+ inches) – $500 to $4,000+
The best way to find a good cost is to take in the design and placement and ask for a quote. Most artists will happily give a quick range for you to consider.
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History Of Avatar The Last Airbender Tattoos
History revolving around Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo designs tends to be linked directly to the show. Running on the Nickelodeon channel from 2005 to 2008, this show was originally targeted toward children ages 8 to 11.
Including a bit of everything, the show offered romance, comedy, action, adventure, and more, all in 30-minute segments for easy digestion of content.
While the show itself played on the idea of the chosen one (Aang) and his journey to master the elements to bring peace to the world, it also broke several stereotypes along the way.
Rounding out each character, it understood the complexity of people and presented the difficulties of having to do serious tasks while still wanting to be a kid or learning to change for the betterment of the self rather than for others.
Presenting a fun world for kids to explore more adult themes, this show rooted itself in the hearts of many through characters, settings, and adventures that spoke to larger ideas on how to live full and happy lives.
It’s no wonder we see so many Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo ideas pop up amongst a generation that grew with the characters.
Which Celebrities Have An Avatar The Last Airbender Tattoo?
While Avatar the Last Airbender tattoo designs have seen incredible traction amongst the fandom community, they haven’t yet made their way to celebrity culture (that I know of).
As far as I’m aware, no big-name celebs are toting the Four Nations across their knuckles quite yet. Give them time and maybe they’ll see the meaning behind it.
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