Bendu (religion)

Bendu was a collection of non-confrontational beliefs practiced by the Bendu monks. The symbol of Bendu was a circle connected by eight even spokes, which represented the unification of the galaxy by the Force. Early in its formation, the Galactic Republic adapted the symbol to represent their own role in galactic unification.

How the symbol was modified to the six-spoke form is a point of historical debate. One camp holds that the Jedi Knights altered it after the Unification Wars, and with their knowledge of the early Bendu faith, recommended its adopted by the Republic. The other side says that Palpatine twisted it after forming his Galcatic Empire or revised history to say that he was responsible.