“ | Fire brings only destruction and pain. It forces those of us burdened with its care to walk a razor's edge between humanity and savagery. Eventually, we are torn apart. | „ |
~ Jeong Jeong to Katara. |
Jeong Jeong is a supporting character in the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. He is a master firebender that acts as Aang's first firebending teacher, and he is later revealed to be a member of Order of the White Lotus.
He is voiced by Keone Young, who also voices Luong Lao Shi, Kaz Harada & Super Quasar.
Overview[]
Once a legendary admiral of the Fire Nation and one-time teacher of Zhao, Jeong Jeong eventually realized the horrors the Fire Nation had let loose on the world and deserted, becoming the first person in history to do so and survive. Now a hermit living in the woods, Jeong-Jeong believes that Firebending is a curse due to its destructive nature. On orders from Avatar Roku, Jeong-Jeong gave Aang some rudimentary lessons on Firebending. He's also a member of the White Lotus.
Abilities[]
Similar to Iroh, Jeong Jeong incorporates some waterbending forms into his firebending style, preferring to fight defensively, turning his opponents' energy against them, and utilizing fire walls and fire waves when fighting rather than streams or blasts, and conjures it out of thin air in the surrounding environment (with enough control to make it burn on liquid surfaces) rather than from his own body. This could be due at least in part to his envy of waterbending, choosing to incorporate elements of the art into his own firebending as a way of compensating. With his fire walls, he seems to incorporate some Earthbending techniques too. He also seems to have studied some airbending techniques, which he appears to use to cover his escape when surrounded by Zhao's men, giving Aang a slight smirk before he disappears. Apparently, he's enlightened to the point that he sees his own firebending abilities as a curse - though not quite enlightened enough to understand the true nature of firebending.
Personality[]
Although Jeong Jeong was a firebending master, he had conflicted feelings about the bending art, referring to it as a "burning curse". He admitted in a conversation with Katara that he had always wished that he was a waterbender, since water is considered the element of healing, whereas firebending "brings only destruction and pain". His bitterness over his own ability was repeatedly demonstrated by his behavior and character. Rarely smiling, Jeong Jeong preferred to be alone in order to not harm others, but also because he seemed disappointed with the world. As an enlightened and embittered man, he often meditated alone and in the darkness, reflecting his dark view of the world and his firebending. He believed he could suppress his "burning curse" in this way.
However, in contrast, he referred to the sun as the greatest source of fire as it is in perfect harmony with nature. Jeong Jeong's technique seemed to reflect this quality by being both overwhelmingly powerful and non-destructive.
Prior to the start of the liberation of Ba Sing Se, Jeong Jeong seemed more at peace with himself and the world.
Biography[]
Book 1: Water[]
A visit to a local Fire Nation village festival ends in disaster when Aang displays his airbending. They manage to escape with a sympathetic former Fire Nation soldier named Chey, who says that he's a follower of the fearsome Jeong-Jeong, the very first person to ever desert the Fire Nation Army (and live). Realizing that this might be his only chance to ever master firebending, Aang seeks out Jeong-Jeong to learn from him. However, the deserter's jaded outlook and Aang's own impetuous nature work against this plan, and Zhao is still out to capture him.
Jeong Jeong proceeded to instruct Aang in actual firebending, much to Aang's excitement. He was disappointed, however, when Jeong Jeong assigned him the simple task of preventing a leaf from being completely burned. Jeong Jeong returned to find Katara's hands burnt because Aang attempted firebending on his own, and watched as she healed her burns. He informed Katara about her newfound skill and stated that healing is his preferred ability over a "burning curse". Shortly thereafter, Zhao and his men sailed up river toward Jeong Jeong's encampment in pursuit of the Avatar. Zhao was instead confronted by Jeong Jeong, who raised a wall of fire that stretched from the clearing of the riverbanks and across the river itself. The ships' progress was hindered; however, Zhao, aware of his former masters' reluctance to fight, was not deterred and simply walked through the wall of flames.
Jeong Jeong dissipated the wall completely, leaving no trace of wild fire to spread and harm the surrounding environment. Aang subsequently arrived at the scene, and with a grin, Jeong Jeong conjured up an immense mass of flames and disappeared, leaving Aang to deal with Zhao and his men.
Book 3: Fire[]
Before the liberation of Ba Sing Se, Jeong Jeong answered the call of Grand Lotus Iroh and gathered at the White Lotus camp in preparation of the upcoming battle. When Sozin's Comet arrived, Jeong Jeong used the power of comet to increase his firebending and fend off multiple tundra tanks that were attempting to defend the city.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Jeong Jeong on the Avatar Wiki