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Fire Lord Zuko Portrait

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I have finally finished the Fire Lord Zuko Portrait! He never had one in the show, so I wanted to make one to match all the previous fire lords. I did a lot of research of the others portraits, analyzing them and figuring out a way to make it match the style of the others. I can explain why everything is here. The only thing missing is the texture, but that is because I am printing these on fabric for wall scrolls!


I have prints if anyone is interested, feel free to message me or purchase one if you see me at a convention under the title, "Madeline Lime" or Sugar Ninjas.

I was asked for a breakdown of the symbolism, so I have done that. I want to also point out that I know tarot, so this sort of thing is very easy for me.

from top to bottom:

-The sun disk/flame is typical in fire lord portraits, they all match exactly. His is larger to accommodate the lotus, which I hope is self explanatory.
-His hair is up, otherwise he looks too similar to his father, something he would have attempted to avoid.
-The sword is his true talent, and something that more than once altered the course of events.
-The long ribbon/sash flowing down around this actually helps to make the image more cohesive, and it has the symbol of the fire nation on either end. This is to symbolize his relationship with his country. He was always fighting for the Fire Nation, even when he appeared to betray. It surrounds him, etc.
-The original draft had his arms down, and both with the swords, and crossed. However this implies heavy control and imprisonment, of which Zuko would not have been as a fire lord.
-The symbols of the elements represent Zuko assisting the Avatar in bringing balance and order back to the world.
-Almost all of the fire lord portraits seem to incorporate some sort of creature and the fire lord standing onto of something, which would also represent his dominion over the land. Zuko was aided by the dragons in bringing back the original source of firebending to the country. They also support him/approve of him/etc, or he would not have survived meeting them.

I also want to point out that visually you eye is continuously drawn back to the four elements, since his curved blade and the angle of the draping cloth points back to them. :)

7/15/2012: I am planning an updated revision due to Zuko's awesome outfit in the comic.

Also, the next person to make a comment about it having "colors they wouldn't use" or some such, is going to have their comments hidden and disdain from me. I can't help it if you haven't paid attention and have no idea what goes into the fire lord portraits, stop bothering me, I don't care. It's irritating for know-it-alls to make comments years after the fact, especially when they're plain wrong. The only questionable color would be blue, (hello color theory, it is not a straight up blue), and anyone who has watched the show would agree not including the blue dragon would be a rather large oversight.

For note, the hall is lit by open flame, (again color theory, please learn it), is dark, this piece was intended to be printed on colored fabric to be a wall scroll, (this alters the color and texture), and holy crap if you don't like it make your own damn version.
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© 2009 - 2024 kartos
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Brilliant picture! The symbolism is incredible yet clever.