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on the significance of haircuts in avatar, juxtaposing zuko and azula; a thread inspired by @sokkaseyebrows
hair is very significant in fire nation culture. this is shown in rise of kyoshi and when considering that the fire nation was based on china, we can interpret hair as being representative of not just personal but familial honor
for azula, her hair represents the perfection she always aims for. in this scene one hair fell out of place; just like her bending lightning, it was almost perfect but "almost isn't good enough"
for zuko, who cuts off his hair this same episode, the act of cutting it off isn't just for going into hiding. it's symbolically paralleled with cutting off his ties to his family and his country; before, the possibility of returning was always there. it's not anymore
afterwards, he lets it grow naturally. he doesn't have a pony tail or top knot to signify honor of any kind; this changes in book 3. as soon as he arrives home, zuko wears his hair traditionally again, to show he's regained his family, honor and ties to his country
azula also goes through a development; mai & ty lee's betrayal leaves her paranoid and though her hair and performance has always been perfect, zuko rightfully notes she has started slipping. this is reflected in how she's forced to wear her hair down after banishing her servants
this is where the concept of family returns. the symbolism of hair being given by the parents is shown in this scene; azula's anger at her mother is linked to her actually cutting her hair, as ursa appears right after. she not only lost her perfection, but a familial connection
zuko on the other hand, wears his hair naturally amongst his friends, as a sign of his character development, and his top knot at his corronation shows a newfound connection to his country and (found) family, more pure and honest now than when he first returned to the fire nation
their haircuts are significant in somewhat similar ways but remain polar opposites: zuko's predicted his way back to true family and true honor, azula's predicted her downfall, in other words her loss of perfection and familial ties
