He had one son, Lu Ten, with whom he was close. He was formerly the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, and destined to become the new Fire Lord. Iroh was the eldest son of Azulon and Ilah, and grandson of Fire Lord Sozin. His knowledge and respect for the four elements allowed him to provide advice to others he assisted many close associates and friends. An extremely perceptive person, it was claimed that he journeyed to the Spirit World in search of his deceased son Lu Ten. Iroh aided Avatar Aang and his companions on several occasions, and was consequently branded as a traitor. He appreciated and admired the balance of the four elements, and even incorporated aspects of the other elements into his own firebending techniques.

Unlike many other individuals from the Fire Nation, particularly those within his own family, Iroh was a wise, easy-going, and spiritual man. Iroh's well-known ability to breathe fire, and his claims of 'slaying' the last dragon, earned him the honorary title 'The Dragon of the West'. He was the elder son of Fire Lord Azulon and Ilah, and the older brother of Ozai. Iroh was a retired Fire Nation General, a former Crown Prince of the nation, a Grand Lotus of the Order of the White Lotus, a firebending master, and a wise mentor to his nephew Zuko. After I reconquer Ba Sing Se, I'm going to reconquer my tea shop,and I'm going to play Pai Sho every day!