With Avatar: Way of Water set to introduce a new tribe of Na’vi, it is time to re-explore the differences between avatars and the Na’vi. An avatar, or dream walker, is a genetically engineered hybrid that its human counterpart can remotely pilot. They were designed with the purpose of being able to explore Pandora, in addition to interacting with the Na’vi.
Though they share a lot of similarities, there are some distinct differences between the avatars and the Na’vi of Pandora. Avatars retain many of their human traits, like eyebrows and five toes. The most notable difference is that the Na’vi have four fingers, whereas the avatars have five. These distinctions allow each species to discern who is who, as both were naturally distrusting of the other.
Why Avatars Don’t Have 4 Fingers Like The Na’vi
In a previous interview, Avatar director James Cameron laid out a few reasons why avatars don’t have four fingers like the Na’vi. He expressed that the human DNA present in the hybrid avatars is prominent and shows up in the vessel’s features. That is why the facial structure and other details are present in the avatars. It also helps the viewers distinguish the avatar characters in the movie from the Na’vi. The director also revealed a deleted scene in which Sigourney Weaver’s character Grace reunited with the kids in her school and had them count using their fingers, with them only having four and her having five.
Avatar 2 Will Redefine Na’vi Biology
Avatar 2 looks to further explore Na’vi biology by exploring a new water tribe. The film will introduce the Metkayina clan, a water tribe with even more diverse biology than the Na’vi shown so far. They have been shown to adapt to a more aquatic lifestyle. The Metkayina shown so far have fin-like arms and legs, paddle-like tails, and slightly greener skin. The mainland Na’vi also have yellow eyes, with their aquatic counterparts displaying more enormous blue-green eyes.
The Metkayina connection to water will undoubtedly be the key to explaining Avatar: Way of Water‘s title meaning. The aquatic tribe has been shown with tattoos, which have not been seen as yet on any other Na’vi. The tattoos seem to have special meaning and are individualized for each of the MetkayinaThe tattoos are considered gifts from Eywa, their goddess consisting of all living things. The sequel film explores this connection further. There are likely more variations and races of the Na’vi that will be explored in future films. With four more films tentatively planned after Avatar: Way of Water, there is much more to reveal about Pandora and the nature of the Na’vi.
