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An interconnected planetary-wide organism that’s worshiped as a deity by the indigenous species, Eywa is an interesting feature of theAvatarmovies that is both a narrative hook and a deeper mystery that’s being slowly revealed as the franchise goes on.
There’s some interesting theories, in both the film and fan-made, that have attempted to explain exactly what this amorphous and seemingly vast alien consciousness is. From memory storage to Hive Mind, there’s a lot of interesting facts, tidbits to be gleaned that open up all sorts of questions for future movies and how Eywa is going to interact with the encroaching RDA. To get you up to speed, here’s everything you need to know about Eywa in the Avatar universe.
What Is Eywa?
Theinterconnected neural “being” dwelling at the heart of Pandoragoes by many names. The Network, All-Mother, Great Mother, or just Eywa. Its age is unknown, but considering it seemscrucially interlinked to Pandorait can be surmised that it’s always been there since the planet formed or it evolved along with the populace over the millennia.
There isscant detail on what this creature specifically is and where it came from. But we are aware of a few facts that have been gleaned from various Avatar movies, lines from certain characters, the games, and general fan theory that’s been pieced together over the years.
For example, we know that:
For any non-local to the planet, it’s a terrifying prospect that at any point all life on the world,controlled by an intelligence that’s much more vast in its power, reach, experience, and life-spancould at any moment decide toturn everything on the planet against you.
There are fan theories and speculations that Eywa could be a creation of an advanced technological race that no longer exists, or a parasite that crashed into the planet. Though there isn’t a ton of concrete evidence to prove this.
The Biology Of Eywa
However, we do know thatEywa is not some omniscient deity, it’s a biological creature, albeit an incredibly complex one.
For example, throughout the plant life on the planet, there’s shown to be aninterconnected network, sort of like a fungus or roots of a tree. With vast amounts of information beingsent along this network at a speed so unfeasibly fast that the planet resembles essentially a giant brainthat collects data from the creatures on its surface and reacts accordingly.
At key locations around the planet are small forestswhich, whilst honored and respected by the Na’Vi as some spiritual location, also allows them tocommunicate with those that have died.
In reality, it’s a vast repository of memories, knowledge, and experience that Eywa has collected over the millennia, kind of like a big organic hard drive filled with ghosts.
Direct connection with Eywa is possible. Such as when the Na’Vi use their braids to connect with other animals, orwith the branches of a Tree of Souls. Most notably in the scenes of the movie featuring the Tree of Souls as the vast glowing tendrils of Eywa can be clearly seen flashinglike a pseudo heartbeat.
Whether there is a way to stop, block, or kill Eywa without absolutely annihilating the planet’s core or its ecosystem remains to be seen.
There’s an implication in Avatar: The Way of Water thatEywa was responsible for Kiris birth. Though whether this is true, or a Jesus/Savior metaphor by Cameron, or just a forgotten plot line remains to be seen.
Eywa’s Connection To The Na’Vi
Eywa is intrinsically linked to Na’Vi culture. From the moment they’re born to when they die and are interred in aceremony at the Tree of Souls, they and Eywa go hand-in-hand, almost parasitically. They believe it’s their diety, havespiritual shamans that “Speak” for and to Eywaand when they die they pass through “The Eye of Eywa" to an afterlife.
Which is shown to basically be abig collection of Na’Vi consciousness that Eywa has absorbed over the millennia. The Na’Vi believe that Eywa maintains and protects the forests and so they help her, it’s asymbiosis that has allowed the species to co-exist and aid each otherin times of great crisis. Such as when the RDA invaded and began tearing up the planet for resources.
Eywa’s Connection To Pandora
To say thatEywa is the God of Pandorais an understatement. As far as its reach and influence is considered it may as well be Pandora itself,a living world with sentience of its ownthat reacts aggressively when pushed, and seems to beoperating on some grand scheme hitherto unknownfor the moment.
Eywa essentially acts asthe maintainer or immune system of Pandora. Monitoring infections by aggressive invasive species (the RDA) and then launching a correct immune response, in this case,the mobilization of every horrible, sharp-tooth-filled creature and native populace in a massive unstoppable armythat even advanced technology can’t slow down or even stop.
Though there is a lot of philosophical and metaphysical beauty to be found in it, at its core it’s analien intelligence with its own reasons, plans, and power. Truly terrifying.
Warning: Minor Spoilers For The Avatar Movies Below
Eywa In The Avatar Movie
Eywa is first predominantly seen in the first Avatar moviewhere the audience is introduced to the Na’Vi culture, their connection to Eywa, and itsability to absorb or transfer the consciousness of those that connect with it. Also, its ability to control other life forms to enact its will, mainly to smash apart the RDA assault group during the final act of the film.
Eywa’s ability to manipulate the conscious “energy” or minds of other beings was also seen right at the end of the film whenJake fully transfers his mind into his Avatar body. It’s also implied that Dr. Grace was absorbed by Eywa but still isable to communicate with others through it. Mainly Kiri in the The Way of Water sequel.
There’s a running theory that the entire process of Jake falling in love with Neytiri and joining the Na’Vi wasa long game put in place by Eywa. Though it’snever been confirmed by Cameron, it at least highlights that Eywa may not be the noble creature that everyone thinks it is.
Eywa In Avatar: The The Way Of Water
Eywas appearance in the second Avatar movie isborderline non-existent. It’s referred to, has aslight appearance through Kiriand what her backstory could possibly be and a short scene where she seems to control some sea creatures to attack the RDA. But other than that the story focuses more on the Sully family and Whales.
However, there are someinteresting implications around where Kiri came fromand it seems to set up Eywa having a larger impact in the story going forward. Plus, there’s also a heartwarming scene where Jake speaks to his son in an “Afterlife”. Though whether James Cameron will ever fully explain what Eywa is and what her intentions are remains to be seen.
