realizing Steven’s birthday is also the anniversary of Rose’s death
Okay but
No not exactly. It never said the next avatar is born the moment the previous dies.
Actually they did. Avatar Roku said it. He was telling the story of how he could have prevented Firelord Sozen from starting the war. His island was exploding and he was sprayed in the face with toxic gas. He was dying and his dragon curled up next to him as the ash piled on top of him. Then the shot panned and you switches to Avatar Aang being born at the same night if not the exact moment of Avatar Rokus death.
So at the very least, the avatar is born the same day but it’s most likely the exact moment.
So the Avatar randomly selects some baby about to be born?? I personally don’t believe that because that’s saying babies are soulless creatures until the moment they exit the womb.
I always interpreted it as his next memory after dying. And to connect with Aang by showing himself as a baby. Remember how excited Aang got when he realized who the baby was?
The avatars have different souls, they just share the same spirit, Raava. Rava carries a part of their soul. Each avatar are their own person. the only thing they share was raava and her power.