The White Lotus
and the Red Lotus. Two sides of a Pai Sho tile. But what's the history behind
these mysterious organizations? Well, thanks to a letter that
Uncle Iroh had written to Zuko before his passing, Iroh revealed that
the secret organization was originally just a group
of like-minded individuals dedicated to
uniting the four nations. Then their mission
expanded into protecting and training the Avatar
for the good of all mankind. The tile based
board game, Pai Sho, was always at the
center of the group. I see you favor the
White Lotus gambit. Not many still cling
to the ancient ways. Those who do
can always find a friend. Then let us play. Was first an excuse to share
information in a casual manner. But when this group of allies
grew too large, Pai Sho became a vessel
for symbols and codes. They were able to secretly plan and strategize
together in full public view. Like a flower
on the edge of a sidewalk, they grew right
under everyone's nose. The White Lotus opens wide
to those who know her secrets. What are you old
gasbags talking about? I always try to tell you that Pai Sho is more
than just a game. As this group blossomed,
they became known as the Order of the White Lotus. Named, of course, for Pai Sho's
iconic White Lotus tile. Most people think the
lotus tile insignificant, but it is essential for the
unusual strategy that I employ. You may be wondering what kind
of timeline we're looking at. We don't know exactly
when this legacy began, except that they were
established by the time the Avatar Kuruk passed away. That's when the White Lotus
failed to properly identify Kuruk's successor. Consequently, Avatar Kyoshi had an extremely
difficult upbringing. That changed over time,
with some help from the White Lotus member
and Kyoshi's Secretary Jinpa. Centuries later, in the height
of The Hundred Year War, Avatar Aang was the next to
work closely with the order. Not that he realized it. You can't keep us
here. Let us leave! As King Bumi
of Omashu put Aang through
several unique challenges, the secret White Lotus member
reminded his old friend, that things were not
always as they seemed. I solve the questions same way
solve the challenges. As you said a long time ago, I had to open my brain
to the possibilities. [laughing] Bumi, you're a mad genius. And then there was the Fire
Nation deserter, Jeong Jeong. He's the first person ever to
leave the Army and live. Avatar Aang was
desperate to learn from this firebending master. Even though it was not at all
ready to start firebending. Why won't he see me? He says you're not ready,
says you haven't mastered waterbending
and earthbending yet. Wait, how does he know that? He saw the way you
walked into camp. He can tell. I'm going in anyway. Aang eventually convinced
Jeong Jeong otherwise, with the help of Avatar Roku. You think I am
weak, Avatar Roku? No! No! I did not mean that. I have mastered the elements a
1,000 times in 1,000 lifetimes. Now, I must do it once again. You will teach
the Avatar firebending. Yes. Yes. I will teach you. Really? That's great! Though, as is often the case,
the avatar in training should've listened
to the White Lotus. You burned my sister! This is all your fault! I know! Now, pack your things! You must leave immediately! I'm sorry. Another White Lotus mainstay, Pakku of the Northern
Water Tribe, who was especially important
fueling Team Avatar's growth. Not bad. Not bad. Keep practicing and maybe you'll get it
by the time you're my age. He tried to teach Aang
master level waterbending. Though, teaching
Katara is what would really build
Aang's skill set over time. You're late. - Good to see ya here.
- You too. Pakku showed the value
of building Team Avatar and not just the Avatar himself. Just like their next
White Lotus tutor, Pandao. Your butler told
me that when I met you, I would have to prove my worth. But the truth is,
I don't know if I am worthy. Hmm. I see. Well, then let's find out
together how worthy you are. This non bending member
of the Fire Nation helped transform Sokka
into an expert swordsman. Take note of all the lotus
symbolism in his home. The Master wanted
you to have this as something to remember him by. It's a Pai Sho tile. A White Lotus. Huh. What does it mean? I have no idea Piandao also helped train
a future Fire Lord, Zuko. Now, come to think of it,
perhaps that's when Piandao was originally indoctrinated
into the White Lotus. Via Zuko's Uncle, Iroh. It is an honor to welcome
such a high ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a grandmaster,
you must know so many secrets. We learned most of what we know about this
organization through Iroh. As the group's Grand Lotus,
he and he alone had the power to summon their
warriors for battle. The world witnessed
that assembly during the return
of Sozin's comet. Well, look who's here. [laughing] The White Lotus has always been about philosophy
and beauty and truth. About a month ago,
a call went out that we were needed
for something important. It came from a Grand Lotus,
your uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation. The order of the White Lotus
was crucial in ending The Hundred Year War. But, in doing so, they revealed
themselves to the world. And unfortunately,
that action planted a seed. A that would blossom
into the deadly Red Lotus. Red Lotus? Are you related to
the White Lotus? We are what the White
Lotus was meant to be. But, after The Hundred Year War, the White Lotus
lost its true purpose. Its members came out of hiding
and openly served the Avatar. They became nothing
but glorified body guards who served corrupt nations. So, a great man named Xai Bau,
broke from the White Lotus and began his own society. In addition to this
legendary Xai Bau, there were several other
powerfully influential Red Lotus members
who believed that chaos was the natural order of society. Two of these members were
Zaheer, the martial arts expert, and Avatar Korra's
very own uncle, Unalaq. What? My uncle was part
of the Red Lotus? I met your uncle
when I was a teenager after we've both joined
the Red Lotus. We learned about Raava and Vaatu and how Avatar Wan
foolishly severed them, disrupting the balance
of the world forever. Avatar Wan wasn't foolish. He was trying
to restore balance. He closed the portals,
severing humans from spirits. Even you realize
the error in his ways. Once they were radicalized
by Xai Bau, Zaheer and Unalaq lead a mission
to kidnap baby Korra. They wanted to use her
to open the spirit portals and then raise her
under Red Lotus ideology. That's why you tried to take me
when I was a kid? Yes. And with members of the Red
Lotus as your elemental masters, we could've taught you so much. Sounds like you wanted
to brainwash me so I'd do whatever you wanted. No Korra. All I wanted
was to show the Avatar a better path for the world. They did not succeed
in kidnapping young Korra. And while much of the
Red Lotus was imprisoned, Unalaq was not. He wasn't with us that night
and he covered up his involvement afterwards. So, he betrayed you
just like he betrayed me. Yes. He allowed me and
my friends to remain imprisoned while he pursued
his own selfish goals. These goals included
opening the spirit portal through whatever
means necessary. If you want your friend to
make it out of the spirit world, you'll open
the other portal now. Because of Unalaq,
I betrayed Tenzin, opened the portals,
and threw the spirit and human worlds into chaos. It was my fault he fused with
Vaatu and became a dark avatar. And I was helpless to stop him
from destroying Raava and cutting off my connection
to my past lives. With Raava gone, Unalaq and Vaatu became
more powerful than ever. But Korra became more
powerful, too. She turned into a giant spirit. Yeah, that was pretty awesome. And opening the spirit portals turned out to be kind of
a good thing, actually. It brought back airbenders. Some people who could never bend any element in the past,
suddenly discovered this new ability to airbend. Unfortunately,
Zaheer was one of them. Laghima once wrote,
instinct is a lie, told by a fearful body,
hoping to be wrong. What's that supposed to mean? It means that
when you base your expectations only on what you see,
you blind yourself to the possibilities
of a new reality. After years of imprisonment,
Zaheer escaped and soon helped his other Red Lotus masters
escape as well. First, we met Ghazan
earthbending Master with the uncommon
ability to lavabend. [grunting] It's nice to see
you again, Ghazan. Thanks for busting me out. Then there was Ming'Hua. She was born with no arms
and somehow learned to replace them
through waterbending. I never thought I'd be so happy
to see your ugly mugs again. Great to see you too, Ming'Hua. Finally, P'Li. A combustionbender
with an explosive love life. I thought I'd never
see you again. I never doubted. Really? Right now? The four escaped
Red Lotus members colluded to kidnap Korra again, with the help of a
less obvious member, Aiwei. Avatar Korra, It is an honor to meet you. My name is Aiwei. Thanks for having us. In the Earth Kingdom
city of Zaofu, Aiwei was adviser
to the matriarch. A very powerful position, but
despite his usefulness, Zaheer would
eventually turn on Aiwei. You left a loose end. I assure you, no one knows
anything about us. No, you are loose end. Zaheer! [grunting] Ahh! He'll be spending eternity
in the fog of lost souls. These remaining members
of the Red Lotus, continued their scheme
to sow chaos, by attempting to capture the Avatar
and also dismantle governments. Attention,
Citizens of Ba Sing Se, I have an important
announcement to make. Moments ago, the Earth Queen
was brought down at the hands of revolutionaries,
including myself. I'm not going to
tell you my name because my
identity's not important. I'm not here to take over
the Earth kingdom. I think you've had enough of
leaders telling you what to do. It's time for you
to find your own path. No longer will you be
oppressed by tyrants. From now on, you are free. I deliver Ba Sing Se back
into the heads of the people. The assassination of the Earth
Queen was one massive victory for the Red Lotus. Ba Sing Se has fallen. After Zaheer and the Red Lotus
toppled the Earth Queen, the city descended into chaos. The Air Nation
with the next target. Zaheer is headed to the Northern
Air Temple, as we speak. He said he's going to wipe
out the new Air Nation and everyone in it unless you turn
yourself over to him. And Korra had no choice
but to give herself up. It was a trap that would set up the Red Lotus' ultimate plan. Once we administer this poison, your body will naturally react,
forcing you into the Avatar state in effort
to keep you alive. Sadly, for you, you'll be
entering it for the last time. No! The Avatar cycle! Yes. When we dispatch you
in the Avatar state, the cycle will end. That's right. Zaheer and his
deadly Lotus cohorts were closing in on their goal
to rid the world of the Avatar permanently. But, they underestimated
the power of the Avatar State. Team Avatar escaped to their own
perils and put an end to P'Li, Ming'Hua, and Ghazan Korra eventually
achieved a grim victory. One with long lasting
consequences. You see, Korra struggled with
the effects of her poisoning for some time. And the Earth Kingdom saw
massive political struggles after their queen was slayed. It was, to some degree,
the exact chaos that the Red Lotus had hoped for. No! You don't understand! The revolution
has already begun! Chaos is the
natural order of all-- Zaheer was incarcerated
once again. But, there's no way of knowing just how many more Red Lotus
members exist in the world. How many more
masterfully, deceitful players were left working to sow
seeds of chaos? Like a weed on the
edge of a sidewalk, the Red Lotus
could still be growing right under everyone's nose. Tell us who else you think
might have been a member of the Red or White Lotus. Maybe Monk Kiatso? He sure did enjoy
Pai Sho, after all. Very interesting move,
young one. What do you mean? Comment below. Like and subscribe and stay
tuned for all things Avatar. Hey, [laughing]
