||It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Elements in fiction. (Discuss)|
Classical elements have been frequently used in pop culture in genres such as fantasy, literature, film, humor, television, video games, comic
||It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Elements in fiction. (Discuss)|
Classical elements have been frequently used in pop culture in genres such as fantasy, literature, film, humor, television, video games, comic books, toys and even music. Typically a character or characters are linked to one or more of the four classical elements (fire, air, water and earth) common to most ancient philosophies (particularly the Greek, Hindu, Buddhist and Japanese traditions), either through special powers granted, ability to mimic the element, or other means. In some cases a fifth element is included, such as aether (also known as quintessence), void, or flora -- or, as was the case in the movie The Fifth Element, something else altogether.
The classical elements and their use in literary history have served as the subject of various published books. In The Elements: Earth Air Fire Water (How Artists See), Colleen Carroll examines "how the four elements have been depicted in works of art from different time periods and places." In Legends of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, Eric Hadley and Tessa Hadley provide a "collection of myths and legends from different parts of the world about the four basic elements without which life would not be possible." According to Publisher's Weekly, in Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Mary Hoffman and Jane Ray collect "snippets of factual information, myths, stories, poems and musings in this fascinating volume about the four classic elements."
The reception of the classical elements by scholars and mainstream critics varies considerably, largely depending on the medium and/or use of the classical elements. For example, the classical elements have served as significant plot elements in the various Mortal Kombat fictional universes. Blaze, a fire elemental, appears in multiple Mortal Kombat games, including as the end boss in the most recent game. The film Mortal Kombat: Annihilation features Elder Gods based on the four elements, which are mentioned chastisingly in Christian reviews.
In the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, there are four mystical martial arts which allows the control of the elements through real-life martial arts tradition: Airbending, Earthbending, Firebending, and Waterbending. These are more based on the elemental structure of the Western and/or the Japanese elements, without a style based around Aether/Void. However, there is some overlap of elements as Ice, Lightning and Metal are all sub-aspect of the other four main elements.
Airbending is a martial arts based magic which controls the element of Air. It is primarily based around the real martial arts of Ba Gua. Airbending focuses on evading and avoiding attacks.
Earthbending is a martial arts based magic which controls the element of Earth. It is primarily based around the real martial arts of Hung Ga, however there are exceptions like Toph who uses the Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. However, it is likely different due to the fact Toph has learned her bending from the Badger-moles (Natural animal benders, and mentioned in the show as