Can Earthbenders Bend Oil in Avatar: The Last Airbender?

The Wuxia-inspired world of Avatar: The Last Airbender is replete with unique bending abilities and mystical elements. Oil bending, however, is a topic of intrigue among fans. In the series, the concept of oil bending is not explicitly shown or confirmed. This article explores the mechanics of oil bending and the potential of earthbenders to manipulate this element.

Oil as a Part of Earth's Elements

In the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender, earthbenders are known for their ability to manipulate earth, rocks, dirt, metal, and other solid earth derivatives. Given that oil is derived from organic remains and is a liquid substance, it might not fall under the typical categories within the earthbender's arsenal.

Oil as a Derived Earth Element

Considering oil's chemical composition, as explained, it is essentially supercompressed bones from fossilized remains, making it a highly compacted form of earth. This raises interesting questions about its amendability to earthbending. Some argue that given the spiritual and scientific nature of bending, earthbenders might indeed have the potential to manipulate oil.

Scientific and Spiritual Considerations

The rules of bending in Avatar: The Last Airbender are complex and not solely based on physical science. There is a significant spiritual component that writers can use to bend (pun intended) the rules as needed. For instance:

Waterbending and Oils

Waterbenders have the ability to heal through bending, which is attributed to their influence over the body's lipid membranes. Since oil and lipid membranes are largely composed of similar substances, waterbenders might have a narrative reason to bend oil. Additionally, it's worth noting that oil, like other materials, contains carbon. It seems plausible that earthbenders could, through their earth manipulation, bend oil as well.

Historical Evidence and Movie Clues

Earlier in the series, earthbenders have been shown to bend coal, which is carbon-based. This parallels the composition of oil, making the idea that earthbenders could manipulate oil more believable. Furthermore, the movie universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender introduces the concept of Kuvira bending a black liquid akin to oil in a mech suit. This hints that the bending abilities might expand to include oil, expanding the scope of traditional elements.

Conclusion

The question of whether earthbenders can bend oil in Avatar: The Last Airbender remains a topic of debate among fans. While the show has not explicitly confirmed this, the combination of earthbending's spiritual component and the similarities between oil and other earth manipulated substances suggest that earthbenders might indeed have the capability to bend it. For now, it remains a fascinating mystery within the rich lore of the series.