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In the beginning of _Avatar: The Legend of Korra_ , we see Korra, as a child,
bending water, earth and fire, without training to do that. She was born in
the Water Tribe, so isn't she supposed to know only how to bend water? Like
Aang, who knew only wind and trained a lot to master the other three elements?


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2013-08-28T18:12:25.123
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2020-10-22T15:19:05.610
2014-05-01T03:06:56.267
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Why can Korra bend 3 elements from the beginning?


The key I think is 'to master'. Both Aang and Korra knew how to bend all four
basic elements from since they were born, but required training to get control
over such powers (that's why they are avatars; they know how to bend all
elements).

> She was born in the water tribe, so, isn't she supposed to know only how to
> bend water?

So, I would answer no to that. She, just like Aang knows how to bend all the
four basic elements.

One possible 'proof' is that Aang used his water bending skills (although
never being trained by any water bender) when he got lost in the storm and
that was how he got into the iceberg in episode 1 in the first place.

As for why Korra has greater mastery over bending than Aang, there was no
specific reason mentioned as far as I remember, but I would say that it's just
a talent, just like it can be a talent for someone to know how to play piano
without actually getting someone teach them while one can say that other
people need a push so they can develop certain skills.


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2013-08-28T19:38:20.413
4996
2013-08-28T19:46:48.413
2013-08-28T19:46:48.413
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Korra was designed to be Aangs polar opposite. He is calm, peaceful, and
prefers to solve things without a fight, he prefers to avoid the enemy rather
than counter or bide.

Korra on the other hand, is hot-headed, a fighter, prefers to pulverize an
enemy rather than avoid a battle.

Airbending is considered to be a very "spiritual" type of bending, it requires
one to be connected to his inner spirit. All airbenders were monks, meditated
a lot, etc.

The rest of the bendings are more "physical" bendings.

As part of Aang being the exact opposite of Korra, he was familiar with
airbending at the beginning of the series, and she was familiar with
everything _but_ airbending.

As to **_why_** she was able to bend 3 elements at the age of 4-5, that wasn't
explained, but we can assume it has to do with pure talent. (She is very good
with the "physical" world, but has no talent with the "spiritual" world. An
avatar needs both to be "complete".


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2013-08-31T12:48:41.707
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It is possible that she had some masters over at the South Pole to teach her.
After all, Katara commands quite some respect.


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2014-05-01T10:00:28.857
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I just think they didn't want a montage of Korra learning each individual
element so they essentially push the skip button. We, as an audience who seen
ATLA, seen fire water and earth training in the show. But we never fully seen
what air training is. So I think the writers just gave the other elements so
we go straight to AIRbending


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