atla-annotated:

The Imperial Roofs of the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom

Both, the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom have golden- red roofs. They follow the Chinese architectural feature of yellow roof tiles/roofs indicating an imperial building.

Note how both, Caldera and Upper Ring in Ba Sing Se have yellow/red roofs, and the Lower and Middle Ring do not. While all buildings in the Fire Nation seem to be Ozai’s buildings (but for the Painted Lady village, they have thatched roofs.) and I do think this is intentional, another reminder how strong the FN government is, how far its reach is into everyday life.

As I have mentioned before, the flame ornaments and steeply upturned roofs, especially of the Caldera and Ember Island, resemble traditional Thai architecture (compare the Royal Palace in Bankok).

Please also compare the Royal Palace in Tokyo, which does not feature yellow or red roofs.

Thai History: Click me

Image source: One, two, three, four, five

atla-annotated:

The Dai Li and Rank: Mandarin Square

The two main ways to show rank in Imperial China was the buzi, the Mandarin square, and the adornments of the hat/the hat itself.

The Dai Li all have the Earth Kingdom symbol, imitating the Mandarin Square, on the front of their robes as a sign of them being a member i.e. their rank as Dai Li agents.

I do not remember us ever meeting any other high ranking officials, but for Longfeng, so sadly there are no other official Mandarin  Squares in the show.

The real ones are awesome enough on their own (see picture).

A Mandarin square  補子also known as a rank badge, was a large embroidered badge sewn onto the surcoat of an official in Imperial China. It was embroidered with detailed, colourful animal or bird insignia indicating the rank of the official wearing it.

Image source: One, two, three(Bosco :P)

crown-prince-zuko:

Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Lost Adventures