Jedi

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

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The Jedi are members of a fictional monastic order in the Star Wars galaxy created by George Lucas. The Jedi are known for their observance of The Force^[1], the rejection of the dark side of the Force, their adherence to their order and it's doctrine and for using lightsabers in combat. In the universe, the Jedi have a number of roles and are often depicted as monks, warriors, hand-crafters and philosophers. Their headquarters are located on the capital world of the Republic, Coruscant. Often recruited at a very young age, the Jedi are devoted to a life of service and can become involved in law enforcement and peace-keeping operations as in the Galactic Republic or serve as generals, soldiers and advisers in major conflicts, such as the Clone Wars.

[edit] Chronology

In the time of Episodes I-III there is a central political entity called the Jedi Council, a gathering of great minds which acts as a governing body for the order and an advisory board for the Old Republic Senate. The Jedi Council could only have twelve members at a time.

The Star Wars films chronicle the Jedi Order during a time when its existence is gravely threatened. The Jedi are a near-extinct entity in the original trilogy, while the prequel trilogy depicts the Order's downfall at the hands of its nemesis, the Sith.

In the novels set after the Star Wars films, Luke Skywalker reestablishes the Jedi Order by training a new generation of Jedi Knights. Due to Luke's lack of knowledge with the old ways of the Jedi Order, the new generation of Jedi develops in new ways. He established an academy in order to teach the way of the Jedi to others. Luke eventually turned the academy into a centre that would provide basic training for potential Jedi. He began pairing Jedi who had gone through that training with a more experienced Jedi, much like the master/apprentice system used in the old order.

In recent novels, and to counter the behavior of the Council in his absence, Luke attempted to unite the Masters against him by saying he was taking direct control of the Order. This tactic later back-fired and Skywalker was then forced to actually take control. Luke decreed that the Jedi Order had to come before any other commitments.

[edit] Enemy

The Jedi Order has a nemesis in the Sith. They are characterized by their single-minded lust for power and disdain for sentient life. The Sith once ruled the Galaxy but were thrown out of power and exiled from the Galaxy by the Jedi Order. The Star Wars films introduce three Sith lords; Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earl Jones), Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid).

[edit] Equipment

Main article: Lightsaber

Further information: Lightsaber combat

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. Often the colour of the saber is an indicator of whether the wielder is a Jedi or a Sith: red is a color commonly associated with the Sith, where as green (consulars: those with a focus primarily in force skills), blue (guardian: those with a focus mostly in combat skills), yellow (sentinels: those with a mixed focus of combat and force skills) and occasionally purple (usually a mix of a blue and red crystal indicating some training in dark side forces as in the case of Mace Windu) or silver (rarely seen until later story lines and most commonly associated with the Imperial Knights in the Legacy stories) are considered Jedi colours.

[edit] Jedi ranks

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

• Jedi Youngling : An unofficial title, this refers to a child with Force potential. (Also referred to as "Jedi Hopeful.") In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Yoda is shown training the children in small groups.^[2] But, they all looked like they were under the age of 10.
• Jedi Padawan: An apprentice that undergoes intensive one-on-one training under a Jedi Knight or Jedi Master after graduating from the academy.
• Jedi Knight: Disciplined, experienced Jedi may become full-fledged Jedi Knights once they have completed "the trials", which are usually intensified tests, biological and otherwise, of candidates' skills, knowledge and dedication. Master Yoda gave his apprentice Luke Skywalker the trial of confronting Darth Vader for a second time in order to 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 defeated the Sith Apprentice Darth Maul. Jedi Knight is the most common rank of Jedi.^{[citation needed]}
• Jedi Master: A Jedi Knight may become a 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.^{[citation needed]}
• 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 Master Yoda and Master Windu), while the rest served limited terms, after which they stepped down and another member would be elected to the Jedi council. With the exception of Anakin Skywalker and Ki-Adi-Mundi, 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 took 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. Also as observed in the New Jedi Order when they appointed Luke Skywalker a Jedi Grand Master as he was the last Jedi taught by Obi-wan Kenobi and Master Yoda, the last members of the Old Council. The Jedi Grand Master/Supreme 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 were known to have been Grand Masters.

[edit] 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^[3]. 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.

[edit] See also

Look up Jedi in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Jedi census phenomenon
• Samurai
• Jediism
• Djedi in Egyptian Legend

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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