Jedi

For other uses of this and similar words, see Jedi (disambiguation). Alistar Keenan is a jedi

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (right) and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

In George Lucas's fictional Star Wars universe, the Jedi are an ancient monastic peacekeeping organization known for their observance of the Force, They specifically use the "Light Side" of the force and reject the "Dark Side" of the Force, as well as the Dark Side's adherents, the Sith.

While various sources and ideas have been brought forth as the initial inspiration for the idea of a fictional "Jedi" order, the most apparent are the current and past chivalric orders that exist in Europe. It is speculated they were named after the jidaigeki genre of Japanese films about samurai.

History and structure

The Jedi initially formed at approximately the same time as the Old Republic, 25,000 years before the time frame of the movies. However, soon after its formation, several Jedi left the order to follow the path of the Dark Side, the first of many schisms.

The Jedi Order was ruled by a board of 12 members called the Jedi Council, located on the planet of Coruscant before being destroyed by Emperor Palpatine. The council represented a gathering of great minds which acted as a governing body for the order as well as a martial advisory board for the Old Republic Senate.

Expanded Universe

Within the Expanded Universe of Star Wars media, the primary Jedi Council on Coruscant is the most dominant of a number of Jedi governing bodies. At one point approximately 4,000 years prior to the movies, there was also a Jedi council on Dantooine. After the events in Episode 6, Luke Skywalker eventually reestablishes the Jedi Order and creates something called the Masters' Council.

During times of great danger, the Jedi engaged in direct democracy through massive gatherings called conclaves, at which they discussed issues and came to decisions.

The Sith trace their roots back from heretical Jedi who followed the path of the Dark Side towards the homeworld of the Sith race.

This Sith Empire invaded the Old Republic 5,000 years before the events of the movies in what was known as the Great Hyperspace War.

Over time, the Dark Jedi and the Sith intermingled, until eventually the word Sith stopped referring to the race but rather the ideology of the Dark Jedi, and the Sith began to come from various races and planets united by the goal of eradicating the Jedi and the pursuit of power through the Dark Side.

Jedi ranks

Members of the order progress through four to six tiers of rank, at times referred to as levels.

• Jedi Youngling : A Jedi Youngling is a Jedi learning to control the force and how to wield a lightsaber. The title of Jedi Youngling is the first part of a Jedi training. Younglings were seen training with Jedi Grand Master Yoda in a scene from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
• Jedi Padawan: A Youngling that successfully completes their respective level of training undergoes Padawan apprentice training under the tutelage of a Jedi Knight or Jedi Master. As a rite of passage and the final test before the trials to knighthood, Padawans must build their own lightsabers. In the Old Republic, male Human Padawans usually wore braids in their hair that were removed upon attaining knighthood.
• Jedi Knight: Disciplined, experienced Jedi may become full-fledged Jedi Knights once they have completed "the trials" that test candidates' skills, knowledge, and dedication. The three tests are usually known as The Trial of Skill, The Trial of Spirit, and the Trial of Knowledge. In Return Of The Jedi, Master Yoda gives his apprentice Luke Skywalker the trial of confronting Darth Vader for a second time so he might become a full-fledged Knight. Occasionally, performing an extraordinary (usually heroic) act can earn a Padawan learner Jedi Knight status, such as when Obi-Wan Kenobi defeats the Sith Apprentice Darth Maul. Or in the case of Anakin Skywalker who defeats Sith Apprentice Asaji Ventress.
• Jedi Master: A Jedi Knight may become a Jedi Master after successfully training a Padawan learner to Knight status. Though this is the most common manner, it is not always the case. If the council sees that a Jedi Knight has become more powerful and has gained more knowledge and discipline in the Force, then they can be nominated by one or more council members to take the trials again.
• Jedi Council Member: When a Jedi Council Member vacates its seat, the council looks for an exemplary Jedi Master to fill the empty position. Presiding Council Members elect prospective candidates when openings become available. According to the Dorling Kindersley guide to Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, some members were permanent members (like Yoda and Mace Windu), while the rest served limited terms, after which they stepped down and another member would be elected to the Jedi Council. With the exceptions of Anakin Skywalker and Ki-Adi Mundi, who was the only Knight on the Council for a short period of time before becoming a Jedi Master, all council members require the status of Jedi Master prior to entering the council.
• Jedi Grand Master: Formally "Grand Master of the Jedi Order," only the highest-ranking Jedi Masters take the title. The title of Grand Master/Supreme Master is merely a theoretical title given by Jedi Masters to a certain Master who has been most wise among other masters in the council, as with Master Yoda. The Jedi Grand Master does not enjoy any greater privilege than any council members because the council members also have a vote in any issues presented by the council. The Grand Master was apparently the "first among equals" of the Jedi High Council, or the later Masters' Council. Yoda and Luke Skywalker (in the expanded universe) are Grand Masters.

Equipment

See also: Lightsaber

Within the Star Wars universe, the Jedi are usually portrayed as dressed in simple robes and carrying specialized field gear for their missions. The most notable instrument wielded by a Jedi is the lightsaber.

Lightsabers are used by both Jedi and Sith. Jedi commonly wield blue and green lightsabers in the movies, while the Sith tend to wield red ones. Jedi Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and Siri Tachi (from Expanded Universe books) wield unique purple lightsabers. The former Jedi Padawan Ferus Olin, from Expanded Universe books, wielded a red blade. However, he was not a Sith.

In the Expanded Universe of Star Wars media, there were a vast variety of lightsaber colors. In Knights Of The Old Republic, the colors signified the Jedi's specialization.

Religion

Main article: Jediism

One of the enduring influences the Star Wars saga has had is the idea of the fictional Jedi values being interpreted in a modern philosophical path or religion. Over half a million people throughout the world declared themselves as Jedi on their census forms, which was considered to be a practical joke and may not reflect the real number of Jedi in the countries concerned.

The Jedi hold a religious reverence to The Force, approached through meditation, civic service and learning similar to that of Buddhist monks, particularly those of the Shaolin Monastery.

See also

• Jedi census phenomenon
• Jediism

External links

• The Jedi Order in the StarWars.com Databank
• Jedi on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki
• 390,000 Jedis There Are; but did hoax campaign boost response in teens and 20s?, (United Kingdom - see link to map above)