What do you think the symbolism of the large bird was?

[quail]

What do you think the cultural symbolism of the large bird was related to?

[Xenolius]

Dinosaurs -> Loch Ness Monster.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

i think it has something to do with the mythical phoenix who was also a large bird. when Jake awakens at the destroyed Hometree,the air is filled with smoke and ash,he finds his ikran,and goes to find Turok,thus rising like the phoenix from the ashes of his ruined status with the Na'vi and his soulmate,Neytiri. great movie,great characters,so many levels and meanings. thanks,JC

[Pandora's Boxed?]

Pterosaurs.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

going back to my previous comment about the phoenix,everytime i see the scene of avatar Jake waking up in the destroyed Hometree area,i see this 'phoenix rising from the ashes' theme as Jake bonds with his ikran and rises out of the gray-sky,ash filled wreckage of Hometree,on the back of the only being who hadn't abandoned him after his betrayal. maybe his ikran really could sense the courage,bravery,moral conflict within Jake,and rose to the occasion. in continuing the phoenix theme,Jake leaves the ashes of his previous existence,and literally rides into his future on the back of Toruk. great storytelling and symbolism.