why azula’s fire burns blue theory (a thread)

disclaimer: i am not scientist!! i tried my best to provide the most factual information i can but if something in here is wrong just let me know!

A blue flame is conducive of the complete burning of carbon, whereas orange and yellow have excess carbon. The colors of flame are also affected by the presence of excess chemicals and compounds. For example, copper will turn the color of fire to green.

When it comes to blue flame, it is a result of incandescence of soot particles produced in the flame, and an increased amount of oxygen for the complete burning of carbon. Leading to this more “natural” and “pure” look of the flame.

Now what does thus mean for fire bending and for Azula?

Let’s first look at the source of fire bending. When teaching Zuko lightning redirection Iroh says “the stomach is the source of energy in your body”. The stomach is also the location of the fire chakra. Now there is a lot of conversation around the relationship between chakra’s

and energy, and that could be a whole thread on it’s own, but for the sake of this topic, let’s talk about how the fire chakra is fueled by will power and is blocked by shame.

Azula is a character who is hyper focused on her goals and has shown immense determination to reach perfectionism. Despite being born a prodigy, (the Einstein or Mozart of bending) Azula only enhances her status as a fire-bender through immense determination and work ethic.

Her willpower is extremely strong and could be argued as “pure” in the same way blue flames are because of how singular and focused her pursuit of perfection is.

Many benders are shown as having their fire fueled by emotions like anger, but Azula doesn’t need that unlike Zuko. Her bending comes straight from the source, the stomach, where the chakra of Fire is. Even when fighting in the Agni Kai her fire remains blue,

showing how Azula was able to reach a point where her fire is detached from her emotional state, no excess emotions or factors entering her flame, just as blue flame is the absence of excess soot and oxygen.

In conclusion, Azula was able to reach a point with her bending where it is no longer fueled by emotion, but pure willpower.