As one of the four nation in the Avatar fictional world, Water Tribe divide into two nation-states: the Southern Water Tribe, which inhabits the South Pole, and the Northern Water Tribe, which inhabits the North Pole. There are also small populations (small tribe) of water benders located in the swamps of the Earth Kingdom - Foggy Swamp Tribe. The Water Tribe is home to an order of men and women who practice waterbending, the mystical art of hydrokinesis. According to Uncle Iroh, Waterbenders can adapt to different situations easily, as they manipulate water, the "element of change". Some of the waterbenders even could bend all kinds liquid in the world including bloods.
The national emblem of the Water Tribe is a circle comprised of a waning crescent moon and three wavy horizontal lines representing ocean waves. It is displayed on the pennant of the watchtower in the Southern Tribe Village, and present throughout the architecture of the Northern Water Tribe. The emblem symbolizes the Moon Spirit Tui and the Ocean Spirit La, who provide the Water Tribes their life, grant them their power, and guide their beliefs. The two spirits coexist in perfect harmony, with the moon's force exerting a pushing and pulling motion on the ocean's water. Not only is this pushing and pulling concept foundational to the art of waterbending, but the relationship between the spirits also drives the Water Tribes' philosophy in peaceful cooperation among all nations.
