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WhenStar Warsfirst hit the big screen, no one had any idea how big the Jedi would become. The heroic, monk-like order has been so influential that many people have adopted tenets from the Jedi order into their own lives. Many of these crucial aspects of the life of a Jedi stem directly fromStar Wars’Jedi Code.
There arementions of the Jedi Code across the series, especially in the extended materials, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has intimate knowledge of what it involves. Most fans are aware that the Jedi live their lives in adherence to the Jedi Code, but some may not know what that means or entails. Luckily, despite being involved with a group of powerful Force users, the Jedi Code is easy to understand.
What Is The Jedi Code?
Put simply, the Jedi Code is a set of rules by which every Jedi is expected to live their life, while also embodying what it means to be a Jedi. It stood in opposition to the dark side, and asked the Jedi to maintain control over their emotions at all times. Obviously, for many Jedi, adhering to the strict code was anything but simple. A lot can be said about the Jedi Code, butthe Jedi Master Luke Skywalkerprovides a perfect introduction to the concept in theStar Wars: The Secret Of The Jedireference book:
Each member of the Jedi Order — from the youngest initiate to the wisest master — was devoted to following the Jedi Code: There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force.
While the Jedi Code mantra may seem simple, there are further rules that help to shape the Jedi even further. There were rules against the Jedi taking specific actions in combat, like killing unarmed enemies or seeking revenge. These rules could create problems for the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars. For some Jedi, the rules of the Jedi Code were seen as too restricting or misguided,as in the case of Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Master who chose to followthe will of the Forceover the code. Unfortunately, it seems that most who stray from the Jedi Code end up turning to the Dark Side, at least for a time. This makes the Code all the more important in the lives of Jedi with less skill and experience.
Could Jedi Have Relationships?
There are a lot of misconceptions about what the Jedi could and could not do in terms of the relationships they had with those around them. Some believe that Jedi are intended to be lone wolves and that they aren’t allowed to feel love for others. Neither of these could be further from the truth. The main struggle with these relationships, whether family or love, was the harsh pull of emotions that could lead to clouded thoughts, and eventually, the Dark Side. If a Jedi did not first conquer their emotions (something even Yoda struggled with), engaging in romantic relationships could be dangerous. Anakin Skywalker demonstrates this in hisrelationship with Padmé Amidala.
Intimate relationships among the Jedi were rare, because of how dangerous they believed uncontrolled passion and attachment could be. This belief tends to keep Jedi from overstepping the code, even though it seems likea pair of Jedi Masterscould potentially make some kind of romantic relationship work. However, Jedi were still allowed and often did view each other as family. Many Jedi view their peers as members of their family, and the relationship between a Jedi and their Padawan is akin to that of a parent and child. Even Obi-Wan admits to having loved Anakin as if he were his own brotherafter their duel inRevenge Of The Sith.
Did The Jedi Code Involve The Dark Side?
The Jedi Code involved the Dark Side in a number of ways. Most notably, the Jedi Code was a kind of guide to avoiding the Dark Side. The Jedi Code stood in opposition to everything that the Dark Side of the Force valued. Wherethe Dark Side relied on the Jedi falling into their negative emotions, the Jedi Code asked its followers to restrain themselves and conquer their emotions. While a Jedi practiced the Jedi Code, they would be forced to combat the pull of the Dark Side for the rest of their life by keeping their internal darkness at bay. This process could be, and likely often was, one that could take a Jedi their entire lifetime to do. Never falling to the Dark Side indicates skill at denying a darker nature.
Interestingly, it is possible that the Code of the Sith has ties to the Jedi Code in some way. Thanks to the fact thatthe Jedi Order exiled many of its members, which eventually resulted in the Sith, it seems that the Sith’s code is meant to stand for the opposite of the Jedi Code. From a Sith perspective, their unique code is intended to stand on its own as a superior version that doesn’t fall into the same traps of the original Jedi Code. Where the Jedi Code asks for peace with one’s emotions, the Sith version asks for strength, glory, and freedom, all thanks to the Force.
Star Warsis available to stream on Disney+.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise originally created by George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd with the 1977 motion picture. The science fiction franchise follows the adventures of characters (both humanoid and alien) in outer space including those who can wield a mystical power known as the Force. Since the release of the original trilogy of movies, the franchise has expanded to include multiple films and branched out to other media like comics, video games, tv shows, theme park attractions, and more. The IP and Lucasfilm were sold to Disney in 2012.
