a very long post about random shit that no one cares about. all of this is based off of a lunar calendar.
fire nation holidays - based on indian culture
new years day. heavily celebrated by all within the fire nation. people would dress in colourful outfits && don vibrant masks that resemble various spirits. they sing, dance, play games, attend plays in theaters, && so on. usually, there will be a live event for all to see involving firebenders showing off their skill && concluded with firecrackers && light shows. some regions will call it the day of colours. it is celebrated for 15 days, && beings with the new moon in the first month of the year (january). the exchange of gifts is not uncommon, but it is also not necessary. the point of new years is for prayer, meditation, social feasts, && to mark the passing of time.
pongal. a celebration to rid yourself of the old && bring in new influences into your life. it is celebrated over four days at the end of january. firebenders would gather old household items that they no longer need or want, && will burn them in a large bonfire usually in their yards or even in the streets. the second day is usually revolved around shopping for new household items or clothing. this is to mark the start of a new cycle. on the third day, many will worship the dragons, && thank them for teaching them the gift of firebending. it’s a day heavy in prayer && meditation. the last day is typically a feast, including gifts, dancing, && firebending shows. it will occasionally overlap new years.
republic day. celebrated on the anniversary of zuko’s rise to the throne. it honors freedom && peace, usually involving a large family meal where they pray && say thanks. it’s almost similar to thanksgiving, but it’s in honor of the change of their broken government.
valentines day. celebrated in february. it’s celebrated between not only couples, but any relationship you value. usually couples will go out to fine dinners && wear their finest clothing, giving each other gifts like flowers && jewelry && so on. friends exchange chocolates && the likes. most people go out && enjoy the day on valentines day -- usually spending it with friends or lovers.
summer solstice. it is celebrated on the day of the summer equinox, && goes into the night. most people will take off work to honor the sun, thanking it for the strength of their bending. the day is thick with prayer && meditation, && it’s a time for self reflection. some very spiritual people in the fire nation will fast for the day. there is also a parade with people in dragon costumes, firebenders, && dancers to entertain.
may day. celebrated on the first of may, it’s a simple bank holidays that allows fire nation citizens to take the day off of work to enjoy time with family && friends.
earth kingdom holidays - based on chinese culture
new years day. celebrated in a similar fashion to the fire nation. it involves singing, games, dancing in the streets, usually some sort of parade, && other festive events. it also includes a firecracker && lights show. it is celebrated for almost a month, && beings with the new moon in the first month of the year (january). the exchange of gifts is more common in the earth kingdom, && gifts are usually either money or food.
spring festival golden week. honored at the end of new years, it marks the first week of spring. some will offer gifts to spirits or to their ancestors, && many will clean both the home, mind, && body. some will even go to a spa to rejuvenate themselves completely. the streets are usually full of food carts && people, && most spend a lot of time reconnecting to nature during this time. it is also a time for families to get together && honor eachother.
lantern festival. it is a festival of lights, && is not truly a public holiday. it’s more of an event, but most people will go anyway. it usually falls around the first week of march. it’s a spring festival where earth kingdom citizens will light lanterns && let them fly or float in the sea if they live on the coast. it’s celebrated mostly by the children, && is a time for families to connect && gather together to enjoy time together. it is also said to ward off evil, && bring good fortune && safety.
arbor day. a day to celebrate nature. many are encouraged to plant trees, pick up litter, && care for their community. it’s usually celebrated a week or so after the lantern festival. people also take time to pray && ask forgiveness for disturbing spirits with their litter && such.
badgermole festival. this festival is a celebration of the badgermoles, && takes place during the autumn equinox. people will eat rice dumplings, drink tea, && have earth bending races. they consist of using bending to create paths && tunnels to see who can clear a marked path faster. the winner is crowned && honours their region with their bending skill. it’s assumed that the bender that tunnels the fastest is most in touch with the first earthbending masters -- the badgermoles.
double seventh festival: see valentines day above. it falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, && is celebrated only my couples. it also honors the tail of shu && oma, && will usually involve a play about the tail of their love.
air nomad holidays - based on tibetan culture
new years day. begins the first day of the first month of the year, && lasts 3 days. it involves a small meal, && mostly is celebrated by giving what they have to those less fortunate. it is also about meditation && opening your chakra points to achieve inner balance. children celebrate with games && dancing. usually, it is an honor for a new monk to be shaved && tattooed on the last day of new years.
wan day. a day celebrating the birth, death, && achievements of wan, the first avatar. it usually involves fasting, to gain “understanding” of the suffering he went through prior to receiving the gifts of the elements. this holiday is another day for charity && giving.
zamling chisang. universal prayer day. monks && air nomads will spend the whole day in pure meditation, where they will try to find themselves spiritually. if they break, they break for food, usually served to them by their fellow monks. most will go to the northern air temple to achieve spiritual fulfillment.
vesak. a huge festival celebrated by all the air nomads. it honors the circle of life, the start of the spring, && the fall of winter. it begins on the spring equinox. most monks will have a large feast with their brothers && sisters, usually following a prayer.
arbor day. see above. it would be celebrated in a similar fashion to that in the earth kingdom.
water tribes - based on inuit culture
new years day. begins the first day of the first month of the year, && lasts 1 day, not including new years eve. it is celebrated with good food, family, fireworks, singing, && usually a hunt the day after to determine their luck in hunting for the year. if they catch a good deal the day after new years, it is said to be a good year for hunting && gathering -- if they provide poorly that day, it is said to predict famine or the lack of good game. gifts are usually not given.
potlatch. this gift giving festival is held whenever a new totem pole was raised in the community. the tribal leader who hosts the potlatch will give his most valuable possession away to the least wealthy tribe member at the ceremony. this ceremony takes place usually every other winter, at a date decided on by the tribe.
spring whaling festival. a festival && feast would be held after the first whale hunt of the year, as a thanks for success && ask for continued good fortune with their hunt. it is also said to put the spirit of the whales at ease. it is a time to pray to the spirits that balance nature.
winter solstice. celebrated similar to christmas, it is a gift giving holiday. it involves a large festival, && prayers are given to the moon goddess as thanks for their gifts of bending. it is finished when the spirits light the sky with the rise of the moon. it has less to do with individual families && more to do with the tribe as a whole.
boxing day. a day to honor the poor && the tradesmen. hunters will often gift them with food, && the tribal leader will offer thanks by inviting one family to feast in his home with him && his family. this is to bring the community closer, && keep the tribe strong. celebrated just after the winter solstice.
