Earth Bending

Earth bending originates in the Earth Kingdom and the first earth benders were badger moles. It demands a special connection with the earth that is achievable with neutral jing, listening, though seemingly doing nothing and waiting for the right moment to strike. Like water benders, earth benders gain an advantage or disadvantage in battle based on the amount of earth around them, though the conditions are not as extreme. Because of their element’s stability and its stress on neutral jing, earth benders stand their ground, absorbing or intercepting attacks until they completely overwhelm their opponents. Unlike the other bending arts, earth bending’s strength equally lies in both offense and defense. Earth bending is in stark contrast to air bending as air bending’s emphasis is on evasion and mobility while earth bending’s emphasis is on fortitude and strength. The sub-skills for earth bending are seismic sense, metal bending, and lava bending. Earth bending is the element of substance, and its season is spring.

Metal bending was invented by Toph Beifong when she was captured by bounty hunters hired by her family to bring her home. Using her seismic sense she found unrefined particles of earth in metal and was able to bend it like she would regular earth.

Lava bending is a combination of earth and fire. Only those with a fire bending parent and an earth bending parent can lava bend. Bolin from Legend of Korra tapped into his ability when another lava bender threatened him and his friends. He saved them by turning the rushing lava back into solid rock. Later, he would create his own lava in an offensive fight.

The Earth Kingdom

Spanning an entire continent as well as several subsidiary islands, it is the largest and most populated sovereignty in the world and encompasses much of the eastern hemisphere. The kingdom operates as a monarchy under the rule of a king or queen, although the 54th Earth King, Wu of the Hou-Ting dynasty, announced his intention in 174 AG to abdicate the throne in favor of splitting the nation into independent states with democratically elected leaders, akin to the political system used in the United Republic of Nations.

The people of the Earth Kingdom are proud and strong and adhere to a philosophy of peaceful coexistence and cooperation with the other nations of the world. Earth benders use their abilities for defense and industry and fiercely defended their cities against Fire Nation attacks during the Hundred Year War. It also has a large economy based on agriculture and limited industry, though it is not as economically powerful as the Fire Nation, which benefits from advanced technology.

The Earth Kingdom is characterized by significant ethnic and cultural diversity, a consequence of the country’s vast territorial expanse. As a result, it suffers from high levels of local autonomy and ethnic conflict, both of which began accelerating as the central government grew weak. Despite this division, the people’s recognition of the Earth Kingdom as a single political entity is largely strengthened through the communal belief in a shared history and identity.

Hung Gar

The fighting style of earth bending is based on the Chinese martial arts Hung Gar. Strong low stances and powerful punches are a staple of Hung Gar. In addition, correct breathing (strong and clear, but not necessarily fast) is important in the system as well.

The style was developed on Chinese opera boats as at the time the Chinese government outlawed martial arts practice so it had to be developed and practiced in secret. As they were practicing on boats, and it’s not like the big cruise ships they have nowadays, they were dealing with rocking and swaying constantly so the style developed to have less kicks and one legged techniques as it would be hard to balance. Instead they developed strong stances for the legs and focused on hand techniques.

In general the overall feel of Hung Gar is similar to Chinese tiger boxing, but it does consist of 5 animal styles being tiger, snake, crane, leopard, and dragon. Hung gar also utilizes the 5 element theory for different ways to express power. The system uses isometric tension exercises as well to strengthen the the tendons of the body. Breathing exercises are used to strengthen and activate the core with the entirety of the torso to develop internal connected strength.