This question of is Lava bending Earth or Fire has always been a debatable one among fans. However, it has given rise to many popular theories and is one of the most talked-about points in the history of the Avatar universe.
Lava uses Earth but has quite a high temperature and looks like a burning fire. Both these characteristics have given birth to our question of is Lava bending Earth or Fire. In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular fan theories on this topic and explain what Lava bending is, in our opinion.
History of Lava Bending
The first mention of Lava Bending is seen in Avatar: The Last Airbender when Aang sees a flashback or Avatar Szeto performing it. Since Szeto belonged to the Fire Nation, fans usually assume that Lava Bending is also a special type of Fire Bending. However, we again see Avatar Kyoshi split her peninsula from the mainland when Chin the Conqueror attacked.
Since Kyoshi was from the Earth Kingdom, her Lava Bending was then attributed to her Earthbending. Both were Avatars, and could bend all basic elements and their sub-types. However, the confusion remained since it was not addressed directly in the show or following comics.
Popular Fan Theories
The most popular fan theory is in the favor of Lava Bending being a sub-type of Earth Bending. The fans have theorized that although Lava is pretty hot and looking like fire but it is molten rock. No matter how hot a molten rock is, it always remains a part of Earth.
The next theory that is in favor of Fire bending states that although Lava is molten Earth, a Fire Bender can use the heat of this lava to bend it.
We really think that both can be true as both have really good arguments in their favor. However, we can not be certain since there has been no official stance on this question. However, that leaves fans to propose some new and even more interesting theories.
Lava Benders
Lava Bending was a main appearance in The Legend of Korra. A member of the Red Lotus named Ghazan was a prolific Lava Bender. He really could take on the whole team Avatar or a battalion of cops. He was able to bend entire floor, or walls into becoming lava and then controlling it.
During one such attacks Bolin discovered his ability to bend Lava when he saved himself and others by stopping a stream of lava and bending it back into a wall of rock. Later, Bolin improved his ability to the point where Ghazan and he were evenly matched.
Ghazan and Bolin actually showed how lethal Lava Bending can be and how one can wreak havoc if he possesses this ability. Bolic even created a Lava disc where he would carry a couple of rocks with him and then rotate them in the form of a disc and then change the disc into molten lava.
He used this disc to damage multiple Mecha suits when the team Avatar faced Kuvira’s army in the battle of Republic City.
Conclusion
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