- For the film, see Avatar: The Way of Water
The Way of Water is a mantra taught by Tsireya to Lo'ak to help him with his free-diving. It is unclear if The Way of Water is taught to the entire Metkayina clan, but it seems likely. Lo'ak later teaches it to his father Jake Sully to save his life.
Full version[]
Lo'ak teaching Jake Sully the way of water. (shortened version)
- The way of water has no beginning and no end
- The sea is around you and in you
- The sea is your home before your birth and after your death
- Our hearts beat in the womb of the world
- Our breath burns in the shadows of the deep
- The sea gives and the sea takes
- Water connects all things
- Life to death
- Darkness to light
Analysis[]
The sea is your home before your birth...
"...and after your death"
The poem encourages the listener to view water as an extension of one's self, and not to fear water as well as the sea. The embracing of water, as opposed to fearing it (i.e. drowning) is vital to calm one's heartbeat to sustain the oxygen necessary for deep free dives.
It also discusses how all life, even the humans, the Na'vi and animals, are also connected by being composed of water. The connectivity of living beings is an important recurring theme in the Avatar series. It also hints that the Na'vi believe all life came from the ocean, similar to what scientists also believe on Earth.
However, the poem can also be seen as being a bit dark in nature, mentioning the concept of one dying, which can be seen as somewhat ironic for a mantra trying to prevent panic. It can be interpreted that the poem is trying to encourage people not to fear death itself, but rather overcome the fear of death, and that the poem is preparing its listeners for this reality. It also alludes to the water burials the Metkayina clan perform in the Cove of the Ancestors.
Trivia[]
- It is the namesake of Avatar: The Way of Water.