General Iroh, often known as “Uncle,” is a fictional character from the Nickelodeon animated series ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
Originally poised to be the Fire Nation’s heir, personal loss shifted his priorities, leading to a peaceful, guiding role.
Despite rumors of slaying the last dragons, Iroh actually learned from them, embracing fire bending through life’s energy, not anger.
His complex history includes a stint as a respected general, a tragic personal loss and a deep involvement in the secret Order of the White Lotus.
Uncle Iroh Quotes to Inspire You
1. “Perfection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
2. “Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
3. “It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
4. “At my age, there is only one big surprise left, and I’d just as soon leave it a mystery.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
5. “There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life, and why..” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
6. “You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
7. “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time, more wisely.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
8. “Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
9. “While it is always best to believe in oneself, a little help from others can be a great blessing.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
10. “It is time for you to look inward, and start asking yourself the big questions.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
Best Uncle Iroh Quotes to Inspire You
11. “A man needs his rest.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
12. “Protection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
13. “In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
14. “Power in firebending comes from the breath, not the muscle!” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
15. “Destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But if you keep an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny someday.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
16. “There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life, and why.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
17. “Little soldier boy comes marching home.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
18. “You sound like my nephew, always thinking that you need to do things on your own without anyone’s support. There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you help you.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
19. “There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you, help you. Not that I love you. I just met you.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
Inspiring Uncle Iroh Quotes to Inspire You
20. “You’re looking at the rare white dragon bush. Its leaves make a tea so delicious it’s heartbreaking! That, or it’s the white jade bush, which is poisonous.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
21. “Good times become good memories, but bad times make good lessons.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
22. “Zuko, it’s time we had a talk…about your hair. It’s gone too far!” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
23. “So I was thinking about names for my new tea shop… how about… the Jasmine Dragon? It’s dramatic, poetic… has a nice ring to it.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
24. “Who would have thought that, after all these years, I would return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace…as a tourist!” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
25. “Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks, with no food or water, and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver, could make one so tense!” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
26. “You should know this is not a natural sickness. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying tea.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
27. “Sick of tea? That’s like being sick of breathing!” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
28. “Ick! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
29. “Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life’s true delights.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
30. “The stomach is the source of energy in your body. It is called the sea of chi. Only in my case, it is more like a vast ocean.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
Inspirational Uncle Iroh Quotes to Inspire You
31. “Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
32. “It’s a lovely night for a walk. Why don’t you join me? It would clear your head.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
33. “ Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart, and unquestionable honor.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
34. “I was never angry with you. I was sad, because I was afraid you’d lose your way.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
35. “It is usually best to admit mistakes when they occur, and to seek to restore honor”. – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
36. “You struggled. You suffered. But you have always followed your own path.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
37. “When you’re in your darkest place, you give yourself hope and that’s inner strength.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
Powerful Uncle Iroh Quotes to Inspire You
38. “A brother killing a brother to grab power. The only way for this to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Firelord.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
39. “Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
40. “The coin is appreciated…but not as much as your smile.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
41. “Understanding others, the other elements, the other nations, will help you become whole.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
42. “The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns, and they found peace and freedom. And they apparently had great senses of humor.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
43. “Evil and good are always at war inside you, Zuko. It is in your nature, your legacy. But there is a bright side. What happened generations ago can be resolved now, by you.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
44. “I know you’re not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but it’s just so sad!” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
45. “Delectable tea or deadly poison.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
46. “Leaves from the vine, Falling so slow, like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
47. “We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
48. “Sometimes, the best way to solve your own problems is to help someone else.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
49. “Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
50. “You are stronger and wiser and freer than you ever used to be. And now you have come at the crossroads of destiny. It’s time for you to choose.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
51. “There is energy all around us. The energy is both yin and yang — positive energy and a negative energy. Only a select few Firebenders can separate these energies.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
52. “If you’re fishing for an octopus, my nephew, you need a tightly woven net, or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape.” – (Uncle Iroh), ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.
You Might Like
- Levi Ackerman Quotes and Sayings (Attack on Titan)
- Wilbur Soot Quotes and Sayings You Will Love
- Jiraiya Quotes for Naruto Fans
- Rafiki Quotes from Lion King and Lion Guard
- Katherine Pierce Quotes from the Vampire Diaries TV Show
Short Biography of Uncle Iroh
Uncle Iroh is a key character in the “Avatar: The Last Airbender” series, known for his wisdom and powerful firebending skills.
Once a high-ranking Fire Nation general and heir to the throne, he chose a quieter path after personal tragedy.
| Full Name | General Iroh |
| Created by | Michael Dante DiMartino; Bryan Konietzko |
| First Appearance | Original series: “The Boy in the Iceberg” (2005); The Legend of Korra: “A New Spiritual Age” (2013) |
| Last Appearance | Original series: “Sozin’s Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang” (2008); The Legend of Korra: “The Ultimatum” (2014) |
| Voiced by | Mako (Book 1, Book 2), Greg Baldwin (Book 3, The Legend of Korra), Cory Yee (Smite), Artt Butler (Quest for Balance) |
| Portrayed by | Shaun Toub (2010 film), Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (2024 television series) |
| Family | Fire Lord Azulon (father), Ozai (brother), Ilah (mother), Lu Ten (son), Ursa (ex-sister-in-law), Zuko (nephew), Azula (niece) |
| Nationality | Fire Nation |
| Bending Element | Firebending |
Acting as a guide to his nephew Zuko, he seeks to steer him towards a nobler path.
Despite his past as a fierce warrior, Iroh’s true strength lies in his compassion and understanding, qualities that make him a beloved mentor and a formidable firebender, earning him the nickname “The Dragon of the West”.
Quick Facts about Uncle Iroh
- Uncle Iroh, known as General Iroh, is a character from Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender.
- Voiced initially by Mako and later by Greg Baldwin due to Mako’s passing.
- Iroh is a powerful firebender and retired Fire Nation general.
- He is the older brother of Fire Lord Ozai.
- Acts as a mentor to his exiled nephew, Prince Zuko.
- Iroh’s real name in Chinese is 艾洛 (aì lùo).
- His character honored Mako in “The Tales of Ba Sing Se”.
- Iroh was firstborn to Fire Lord Azulon but didn’t succeed him due to his son’s death.
- He stopped pursuing military conquest after his son, Lu Ten, died.
- Iroh was uninterested in contesting Ozai for Fire Lord after Azulon’s death.
- Known as “The Dragon of the West” and secretly learned from the last dragons.
- He’s a Grand Lotus in the Order of the White Lotus.
- Initially helps Zuko hunt the Avatar but eventually becomes a protector of balance.
- Teaches Zuko to redirect lightning, mirroring waterbending principles.
- Opens a tea shop in Ba Sing Se during his and Zuko’s time in hiding.
- Escapes prison during a solar eclipse by showcasing formidable combat skills without firebending.
- Plays a key role in liberating Ba Sing Se with the White Lotus.
- Declines the Fire Lord throne post-war, suggesting Zuko instead.
- Returns to Ba Sing Se to run his tea shop post-series.
- Invents bubble tea in the comic “The Promise”.
- Acts as interim Fire Lord in “The Search” comic, creating National Tea Appreciation Day.
- Appears in The Legend of Korra as a spirit guide.
- Offers guidance to Aang’s successor, Korra, and his own descendants in the Spirit World.
- Zuko’s grandson is named after him, serving as a general in the United Republic of Nations.
- Known for his easygoing nature, wisdom, and love for tea.
- His philosophy emphasizes peace over conquest.
- Fond of Pai Sho, music, and is an amateur botanist.
- Developed the lightning redirection technique from waterbending studies.
- Iroh’s character received widespread acclaim for depth and wisdom.
- Portrayed in live-action adaptations by Shaun Toub and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and appears in various video games.
Top Questions about Uncle Iroh
A: Uncle Iroh was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
A: Uncle Iroh is known for being a powerful firebender who can telekinetically create and manipulate fire.
A: He earned the title “The Dragon of the West” by falsely claiming to have killed the last of the world’s dragons, though he actually learned firebending from the last two dragons, Ran and Shao.
A: The death of his son, Lu Ten, during the siege of Ba Sing Se, caused Iroh to retreat from his military career.
A: “Leaves from the Vine” is a song Iroh sings to honor the memory of his son, Lu Ten, on the anniversary of his birthday, reflecting his post-traumatic growth.
A: Iroh teaches Zuko the technique of redirecting lightning, inspired by waterbending, in Book Two.
A: Iroh is a high-ranking member, specifically the Grand Lotus, of the international secret society known as the Order of the White Lotus.
A: In the series finale, Iroh calls the White Lotus to free Ba Sing Se from the Fire Nation, fulfilling his childhood vision as a liberator, not a conqueror.
A: Iroh offers Aang and Zuko advice on dealing with the Harmony Restoration Movement and invents bubble tea.
A: Iroh aids Korra, Aang’s successor, when she is trapped in the Spirit World, and later provides guidance and suggests she seek Zuko’s counsel.
A: Zuko’s grandson is named Iroh in honor of his great-granduncle and is a general of the United Forces.
A: Iroh enjoys relaxation, tea, the strategy game Pai Sho, and playing musical instruments, including the pipa.
A: Paul Sun-Hyung Lee portrays Iroh in the live-action remake produced by Netflix.
A: In the feature film, Iroh can generate fire using his chi, unlike other Firebenders who require a source of fire to bend.
A: Iroh appears in “Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth” as a character in the main story and multiplayer mode, acts as the shopkeeper at the in-game Spirit Shop in “The Legend of Korra” video game, and is a playable character in “Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2” via downloadable content.
