Sokka + Moon Symbology: A Meta
With the character of Yue, there is obviously a lot of moon symbology in Avatar: The Last Airbender. I would like to highlight, however, two visual moments with the moon that relate to Sokka.
Specifically– his relationships.
Here, we see the moon visually in between Sokka and Yue, for that is what is, in the narrative, coming between them. Not only is Yue’s status as the princess preventing their relationship, but her soul being connected to the moon is. The moon itself is about the split them apart forever.
And as the waning crescent phase suggests, she does not have much time left to live. This visual is not only foreshadowing, it is a warning– not only has the moon come between them, it is about to do so pemanently.
This moment has been discussed extensively in the fandom, however, and there is another moment where the moon reflects Sokka’s relationships. And that’s here, with Suki.
They overtly acknowledge the moon, making Sokka think of Yue. Once again, however, the moon is placed between the two. Becayse Sokka’s remaining feelings for Yue are coming in between his relationship with Suki.
What I find interesting is that the phase they chose for this scene, however, is a waning gibbous. He has started to heal, but he has a long way to go before he is ready for a new relationship– even though he really likes Suki. That presence– Yue’s presence– is lingering there, right in between them.
Suki, of course, respects this, and is happy to give Sokka all of the time he needs. Interestingly, when Sokka does decide that he can’t let Yue’s loss come in between him and Suki, it is day. There is no moon in the shot.
The moon is still there, though. It never goes away. Yue’s presence will always remain in Sokka’s heart– he is simply working thorugh his grief, and realizing her cannot live his life paranoid, or in such fear of losing more people he loves that he doesn’t allow himself to love anyone at all.
The moon isn’t just Yue– it’s also Sokka’s heart.