Difference between revisions of "Jedi"

Revision as of 03:24, May 7, 2007

Star Wars

In the Star Wars series, a Jedi is a Force-user aligned with the light side. The Force is a life-force that binds the universe together, and may be used to change events in the world at large, by manipulating the underlying nature of life. In Star Wars, the great power that this entails has divided Force-users diametrically: those who favor its use for good align with the Light, while those that even dabble in evil, inevitably are tempted by this slight variance to fall utterly to the Dark side. To walk in the Light, as a Jedi, is a strict way of life, any deviation from which is considered a grave failing, and is a challenge for Star Wars characters to live up to.

Jedi History

The Jedi Order has been thrown into conflict many times in the Star Wars universe, more often than not with the Sith, who represent the Dark side of the Force, and the usage of the Force for the doing of evil or selfish acts. While the Jedi are an Order in and of themselves, and the "guardians of peace" in the Galactic Republic, the Sith are less an organization than a motivating ideal. It has been suggested that the "true Sith" can never be defeated, but must be wrestled with by each new generation of Jedi in turn. In the Star Wars movies, the Jedi Order disintegrates in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, to be reconstituted only in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, by the lone remaining Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker.

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, originally planned successor movies - Episodes VIII through X - to explain the rebirth of the Jedi Order. Since the movies have since fallen through, much of the Jedi Order's "history" and "future" are illumed through licensed products such as books and games. Knights of the Old Republic, the 2003 "Game of the Year," and its sequel, explored Jedi history in this fashion. Such products, where approved by George Lucas, are deemed "canonical" by fans, or in other words, "official," or what Lucas would himself write or explain, given the time and funding.

Jedi Characteristics

Jedi use "lightsabers," or swords emitting beams of pure light, to deflect energy weapon fire and as an offensive weapon. The lightsaber is a symbol of peace and refinement, according to Obi-Wan Kenobi, less casual and haphazard than traditional weapons, and implying a commitment to the finesse and perfect of form required by duelists and light Jedi alike.

Effects on the Real World

The Jedi Way is a fictional religion/philosophy from the Star Wars movie series. In a recent census in Great Britain, pranksters claimed "Jedi" as their religion in hope of getting it recognized as a legitimate faith.

Jedi has been recognized as an official religion in Canada, with approximately 1.2% of the population claiming to be members of the Jedi faith.^{[Citation Needed]}