- This article is about the hairstyle popular in the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. For the similar hairstyle used in the Water Tribes, see warrior's wolf tail.
A top-knot is a common hairstyle in the world, in which the hair is gathered into a small bun, or "knot", at the top of the head. Most commonly seen in the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation, top-knots are worn by men and women of all classes, though individual styles can vary significantly.[1]
Contents
- 1 Earth Kingdom
- 2 Fire Nation
- 3 Trivia
- 4 References
- 5 See also
- 6 External links
Earth Kingdom[]
Many male Earth Kingdom citizens wear top-knots, most commonly in the countryside or in smaller towns and cities. Top-knots in the Earth Kingdom are generally much larger than those worn in the Fire Nation, are more rounded in shape, and are typically worn with an unadorned ring; this ring may be a simple cloth tie or a metal band, depending on the status of the wearer, and include green and gold coloration.
The main exception to this trend are high-ranking generals of the Earth Kingdom, who wear highly decorated clothing to show their position, including large, elaborate top-knot rings.[2]Some other dignified and important people, such as Master Yu, Lao Beifong, and some of the guests at Bosco's party in Ba Sing Se, also wore top-knot ornaments.
Fire Nation[]
In the Fire Nation, top-knots are generally smaller and thinner than their Earth Kingdom counterparts. Lower and middle class citizens appear to wear plain top-knots, tied with a strip of red material or adorned with a tiny, flame-shaped decorative piece. Nobles and other important people may have more elaborate or heavily decorated headpieces. The two most recognizable pieces are the ones used by the Crown Prince and the Fire Lord, both of which require a top-knot in order to be worn.
The top-knot is a sign of honor in the Fire Nation. During the early era of Yangchen, the Saowon clan cut their top-knots in dishonor to ask Avatar Yangchen's aid in mediating a new deal with the Ma'inka Island phoenix-eel spirits after breaking the previous one. Among the new, harsher terms, was a prohibition of regrowing their hair for five hundred moons.[3][4] Even if firebenders would shave parts of their head bald after losing an important Agni Kai, they would leave the top-knot untouched except in circ*mstances akin to death.[5] Hei-Ran cut off her top-knot to signify her dishonor, performing the ritual before Kyoshi, Rangi, and Fire Lord Zoryu. Before lopping off her top-knot with a knife, she explained that it was for not recognizing the true Avatar, for not protecting Kelsang, for letting Zoryu dishonor their nation, and not being worthy of her daughter's esteem. She told Rangi that the honor of their family was in her hands, and explained to Kyoshi that an honorless target would not need to be avenged; thus if Yun killed her, there would be no threat of war.[6]
In the late Hundred Year War, the top-knot was still a potent symbol in the Fire Nation. Firebending master Jeong Jeong wore a top-knot, as shown on his wanted poster, but discarded it after defecting from the Fire Nation military.[7] Similarly, after becoming fugitives, Zuko and Iroh cut off their top-knots and threw them into a creek to symbolize their rejection of their homeland and the beginning of their true exile.[8] Zuko readopted his top-knot on formal occasions after returning to the royal palace following the Coup of Ba Sing Se,[9] as did Iroh after his escape from prison. After becoming Fire Lord, Zuko generally wore a top-knot.[10] Even by this time, however, top-knots were no longer universal. Some military officers[11][12][13] as well as civilians no longer wore top-knots.[14][15] As a Fire Lord, Zuko also occasionally discarded the hairstyle on more private occasions or missions.[16]
By the 160s and 170s AG, the top-knot appeared to have further lost its significance to Fire Nationals. For instance, Yim, Avatar Korra's renowned firebending master,[17] as well as General Iroh, a generally respected man as well as son of Fire Lord Izumi, opted not to wear top-knots.[18]
Trivia[]
- For centuries, top-knots were a traditional hairstyle in many East Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Japan.
- The cutting off of a person'stop-knot was a significant event in traditional Japanese culture. The removal of one's top-knot, as voluntarily performed by Zuko, Iroh, and Hei-Ran,was considered a renouncement of title, social status, and pride.
- Top-knots are less common in the larger cities of the Earth Kingdom compared to the towns or countryside, with other hairstyles and ornaments favored: In Omashu, men wear small green turbans,[19] while in Ba Sing Se they generally shave the front portion of their heads and don queues, or long plaits, down their backs.[20]
