Meaning of Toruk and Toruk makto

[Lukas]

I was wondering whats the symbolism of toruk and toruk makto. Everytime i think i get it, it seems to slip away. Why jake let toruk go? The end part shows toruk flying away to space, and jake saying, "its no longer needed." I need a heads up people.

[Sacred Tsahaylu]

i think that toruk makto is like the arbiter in the halo series. he/she is there to help the na'vi through a difficult time.
if jake had kept the toruk as his steed (for want of a better word) then he would have brought unneccessary fame to himself which is against the na'vi way of life. he may have also been obligated to assume the role of olo'eykutan which, in my opinion, he thinks he is not ready for. i also don't think that he would immediately get the role for becoming neytiri's mate because of his ignorance of na'vi culture, traditions and history, he can't have learned it all in 3 months

[Txur Txe’lan]

i think that toruk makto is like the arbiter in the halo series. he/she is there to help the na'vi through a difficult time.
if jake had kept the toruk as his steed (for want of a better word) then he would have brought unneccessary fame to himself which is against the na'vi way of life. he may have also been obligated to assume the role of olo'eykutan which, in my opinion, he thinks he is not ready for. i also don't think that he would immediately get the role for becoming neytiri's mate because of his ignorance of na'vi culture, traditions and history, he can't have learned it all in 3 months

We see at the end of the movie that Jake is wearing the Chief's necklace. He has assumed the leadership of the The People. The reason that the toruk makto is no longer needed is because the threat to the Na'vi has been removed.

The Na'vi are one family with many branches, whom come together in times of crisis, and the toruk makto was only needed to be the leader, during the crisis. With the crisis gone, Jake understands that he does not need to be a figure head, but instead lead just The People into the finding of their home...

[xcrunner08]

Toruk Makto is a symbol that is meant to unite the Na'vi clans. He is needed in a Time of Great Sorrow to unite all the People against a common threat. As an above poster said, had Jake kept Toruk it brings unnecessary fame to himself. Hey may have simply wanted to live the life of any ordinary Na'vi, albeit as Olo'Eyktan. He also may have just wanted his old ikran back lol

[Txur Txe’lan]

Toruk Makto is a symbol that is meant to unite the Na'vi clans. He is needed in a Time of Great Sorrow to unite all the People against a common threat. As an above poster said, had Jake kept Toruk it brings unnecessary fame to himself. Hey may have simply wanted to live the life of any ordinary Na'vi, albeit as Olo'Eyktan. He also may have just wanted his old ikran back lol

I wonder what his ikran was doing while he was riding the Toruk, it obviously cared much for him (I mean it's the only one that didn't abandon him after he "betrayed" the Na'vi!)

[zakyeo]

yeah what he said

[PrimitiveJudge]

Good name for it really.. Look up "Turok Son of Stone" it does not give a direct reference of what the name means, but gives you a damn good idea. All we need is a good idea. Then again I am pretty sure the meaning is the same but the spelling is differant.. but all human ideas are from humans so whatever.

[Orcakat]

What about this... So, Toruk means "Last Shadow", right? What if Toruk symbols the shadow of sorrow/ bad times for the Na'Vi? After all, aren't shadows a symbol of darkness, and sometimes used to symbolize sadness?

If this is true, than Toruk could be used to symbolize the Omaticaya's period of darkness and sorrow.

Also, this would mean that Toruk Makto (Rider of Last Shadow) symbolizes the man who attempts to conquer this dark force, and prevails. (Taming the last shadow= overcoming darkness). When Jake releases Toruk, and says "Toruk Makto was no longer needed", it could be interpreted as the period of sorrow leaving... meaning that the one who conquered the evil no longer needs to protect the people, and keep darkness away.

(Does that make ANY Sense? Or was it BLAH? lol)

[Bryden88]

last shadow
rider of last shadow

And the simple fact its the baddest cat in the sky :P It's the equivalent to bringing a nuke to a gun fight in alot of cases. If we look at this as a crude type way.

[Nick Oba]

nahhh... it's because the toruk would EAT all the ikran and omaticaya people at lunchtime.