Avatars usually implies a deliberate descent from higher spiritual realms to lower realms of existence for special purposes. Avatars that are of importance are mainly those of a Supreme Being which are plenary and marked with superhuman qualities. Other types of descents are limited expansions, and some that are descents of lesser empowered divinities.
Characters considered to be avatars of a deity or higher being by either themselves, their followers, or by others:
Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Dark Samus from Metroid
Doctor Strange from Marvel Comics
Heralds of Galactus also from Marvel Comics
Lina Inverse from Slayers
Tenchi Masaki from Tenchi Muyo!
Avatar may also refer to:
A picture that a person uses for their profile on most internet forums
The Nickelodeon tv show with the same name (and the horrible live-action movie based on it)
The science fiction film directed by James Cameron