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O.W.L.
Oct 16, 2007 9:38:11 GMT -5
Post by falthor on Oct 16, 2007 9:38:11 GMT -5
The Order of the White Lotus. Here's a theory that I have. There are spoilers from "Sokka's Master," so heed warning.
Do any of you know about animal mythology? No? Little? Well, here's a bit of information that you might find interesting and you might even find parallels between the The Order of the White Lotus and the animal of which I will mention.
The owl: in most mythologies, especially in European mythology and culutre, the owl is considered to be wise and all-knowing. Wan Shi Tong is a perfect example: He Who Knows 10,000 Things. They are considered in a pondering mood when their heads turn around in a full circle, therefore learning one new thing (I learned this in seventh grade, so I do not have a source).
Owls in Chinese (or is it Indian?) mythology are also seen as birds of prosperity in some regard, and also wise, hence why some people refer to owls as "wise ol' things." Why do you think the "Wise" potato snacks company use the owl as their mascot?
Now, regarding the Order of the White Lotus. A full turn is 360 degrees, or one circle, or knowledge of one new thing, according to the owl mythology. A circle is what Iroh uses to surround the four elements when talking to Zuko about them (and about lightning and Advanced Pyrokinesis). One would think of using a box when doing so, but Iroh circles it. Strange, no?
Piandao's grand door to his house and the White Lotus tile in Pai Sho is also circular. We also learn one new thing about the White Lotus Society (or its official name: the Order of the White Lotus), that is Piandao's a member of it and believes that the art belongs to ALL nations, not just one. That also shows a "revolution," coming full circle.
More to come soon with my theory, but feel free to discuss it.
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O.W.L.
Oct 16, 2007 16:17:53 GMT -5
Post by MasterEcabob on Oct 16, 2007 16:17:53 GMT -5
Wow, I never noticed that the initials for the Order of the White Lotice was OWL, "KARMA" worthy theory!
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O.W.L.
Oct 16, 2007 16:49:02 GMT -5
Post by Anonymous on Oct 16, 2007 16:49:02 GMT -5
*is thinking of harry potter* awesome theory, but i doubt that it came from the initials
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O.W.L.
Oct 16, 2007 18:09:03 GMT -5
Post by tonbo on Oct 16, 2007 18:09:03 GMT -5
That is a very interesting point, but I'm kinda confused by what you mean. Are you saying that Wan Shi Tong started the order or that he is a member, or is the order about owls? A little elaboration would be nice, but I see that you posted a "more to come", so I'll hold you to it. Great job with what you've got already though :-)
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O.W.L.
Oct 16, 2007 20:32:44 GMT -5
Post by falthor on Oct 16, 2007 20:32:44 GMT -5
That is a very interesting point, but I'm kinda confused by what you mean. Are you saying that Wan Shi Tong started the order or that he is a member, or is the order about owls? A little elaboration would be nice, but I see that you posted a "more to come", so I'll hold you to it. Great job with what you've got already though :-) Thanks for the kudos and karma, all. *bows* Wan Shi Tong is an owl. Owls are considered wise. Therefore, it is doubtless that he should be assigned duty of all-knowing spirit. That is only it. ***--- M o r e + T h e o r y `` (Had to make it fancy. XD) Further, regarding the purpose of the Order of the White Lotus. The Earth is a circle, 360 degrees: a full revolution. I think that the purpose of the Order of the White Lotus is to maintain equality. Now what does that have to do with circles? Well, a circle is never perfect. Circles are nonexistent as there cannot be pure physical representations. They are only seen in motion (such as whirling something attached to a rope for a while really fast: you'll see the circle, but is the circle really there? No.) Therefore, because circles are imperfect in representation, the Order of the White Lotus strives to maintain equality and transcends those national boundaries only to maintain perfection. Everything should come back full circle. What is another way of saying "full circle?" The Latin phrase status quo: the way they were, that is when the Avatar maintained balance over the nations. More to come (Stupid essays) soon, guys. This time, there will be extended research on this and on owls this time. =]
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tg
FN Toph
The mysterious lurker of Musogato
Posts: 1,684
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O.W.L.
Oct 16, 2007 22:54:45 GMT -5
Post by tg on Oct 16, 2007 22:54:45 GMT -5
^_^ I was reading a similar thread earlier on tv.com. That was short lived though because people kept adding in all those Harry Potter spells into the thread after someone talked about getting six Os (O = Outstanding in HP O.W.L. grading system).
I believe the Order is made to bring about equality, balance, and peace among the four nations in secrecy of course. They have a plan that they have yet to execute and it's tough while Ozai is in charge. I don't know about perfection but at least, the balance should be there. Whatever great wisdom Iroh has spoken out of his own mouth, that I believe is connected to the principles of the Order.
Wan Shi Tong, to me, was just a librarian guardian spirit. Although, he does have a connection to the spirit world. Spirit world tying back to Iroh. Iroh tying back to White Lotus. White Lotus connection to Sokka's master. Sokka's maste's connection to Sokka. Sokka's connection to Aang. Aang being the Avatar. Avatar tying back to the spirit world. It's a one whole nice circle, yah.
Keep going, Falthor! ^_^ I don't care if this was done intentionally or not, but this is just interesting.
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O.W.L.
Oct 17, 2007 16:17:50 GMT -5
Post by falthor on Oct 17, 2007 16:17:50 GMT -5
Here's another part of the theory that can be linked to the Order of the White Lotus. What type of table is Pai Sho played on? A circle. Hence the word "Pai," which is pretty much a variation of the greek letter for capital P: "Pi." What does pi represent? The circumference of a circle with radius 1. What does one symbolize? One whole. Here are some examples: Unity. Uniform. Monotheism. They all have a prefix of one, but have you noticed that these words are pretty significant? Hm...how does the O.W.L. represent this, though? Well, how is the White Lotus sign arranged? Around the circle or the circumference. If you look at the picture of Iroh and the mysterious White Lotus member, the radius of the table they play on ( Seen here (56K warning)) seems to be 7. 7, though different from 1, is considered (in most theologies and philosophies) wholeness, perfection. Hm....more to ponder about . I'll give you time to absorb all of this in. Ain't the Order of the White Lotus purely awesome?
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tg
FN Toph
The mysterious lurker of Musogato
Posts: 1,684
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O.W.L.
Oct 17, 2007 21:39:07 GMT -5
Post by tg on Oct 17, 2007 21:39:07 GMT -5
Yep. O.W.L. is the bomb awesome. Might as well recite the entrance code...
"Who knocks at the guarded gate?"
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O.W.L.
Oct 18, 2007 21:58:33 GMT -5
Post by falthor on Oct 18, 2007 21:58:33 GMT -5
Ha. Nicktoons Network is airing the episode now.
"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries."
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masterpakku
Haru
Open the chakras Katara Fanboy
Posts: 321
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O.W.L.
Oct 19, 2007 20:29:38 GMT -5
Post by masterpakku on Oct 19, 2007 20:29:38 GMT -5
Amazing observations Falthor. I would not have seen the connection.
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O.W.L.
Oct 21, 2007 0:01:14 GMT -5
Post by tonbo on Oct 21, 2007 0:01:14 GMT -5
Wow, these are some deep connections. You've definately put a lot of thought into this *karma*! This thread, IMO, has made the O.W.L. a heck of a lot more interesting and I can't wait until we get the full story!
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willbaker
Teo
true power comes from within
Posts: 427
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O.W.L.
Oct 21, 2007 7:49:33 GMT -5
Post by willbaker on Oct 21, 2007 7:49:33 GMT -5
"who knocks at the guarded gate?" like the gate of paindao. the OWL could also have some sort of entrance test, not just pai cho, ie piandao thought sokka was worthy to train and so let him in on the white lotus secret. oh and another white lotus thoery. in "the waterbending scroll" episode when iroh had lost his white lotus tile, perhaps he was looking for anther member of the white lotus and nt just "a spare tile"
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O.W.L.
Oct 21, 2007 12:04:46 GMT -5
Post by falthor on Oct 21, 2007 12:04:46 GMT -5
That's another part of my theory. Iroh worries a lot about the White Lotus tile, but I wouldn't say he was looking for a member. I think that the White Lotus is one of the most important things in the Avatar universe, and without it, Iroh'd go mad. With that in mind, in a larger sense, without the O.W.L., the world'd go mad.
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O.W.L.
Oct 23, 2007 13:29:03 GMT -5
Post by tonbo on Oct 23, 2007 13:29:03 GMT -5
I wonder how the white lotus tile that the gAang received will resurface... It seems that Aang should remeber the tile as Monk Gyatso used it when he played Aang, though perhaps he didn't notice. Seeing as it's called the Order of the White Lotus, do you think that a white lotus tile is required for membership, or for innitiating contact w/ another member? So many questions, so few answers... edit: haza! I am now Haru! Take that Meng *launches boulder at Meng*
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O.W.L.
Oct 28, 2007 0:18:22 GMT -5
Post by falthor on Oct 28, 2007 0:18:22 GMT -5
I think that the White Lotus tile acts both as a membership card and as a messenger of sorts to the other members. The playing of the first piece and the assemblage of the white lotus surrounding the white lotus makes for a good medium of communication.
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