Yoda's species/Legends

This unknown tridactyl species was a small green species with unknown origins.

Characteristics and history
The name and homeworld of this species is still unknown. The species was very small, most standing below 70 centimeters, but had extremely long lifespans spanning almost 1000 years. They possessed sharp, elfin ears, ridges on their foreheads, and tridactyl hands and feet. Most of them spoke Galactic Basic Standard, and some even spoke with inverted sentences.



All three known members were very wise and had extraordinary Force potential. Yoda, the most famous member of this species, was the Grand Jedi Master during the time of the Galactic Republic for over two centuries. Two other Jedi, Yaddle and Vandar Tokare, were also powerful Masters who both sat on the Jedi Councils on Coruscant and on Dantooine, respectively. There was also a statue of an unknown Jedi of this species inside the Valley of the Jedi on Ruusan.

This species bore resemblance to the Lannik species, primarily their short stature, large pointed ears, and, as in the case of Yaddle, a topknot of hair. Whether or not this species is related to the Lannik is uncertain, though Yoda has at least once been mistaken for a Lannik.

Behind the scenes



 * Many fans have speculated this unknown species are the Whills (as in the Journal of the Whills), but in an interview, George Lucas has denied this. Additionally, in lines cut from Revenge of the Sith, Yoda speaks of the Whills as though they were a separate species.  When asked what species Yoda is, Lucas has only joked, "He's a frog." Some fans have also been known to call them "Yoda things."


 * Another, similar fanon misconception is that Yoda is a Whill from "Grentarik". This rumor originates from the fraudulent fansite run by "SuperShadow".


 * Prior to the creation of Yaddle for The Phantom Menace, Lucasfilm actively discouraged licensees from exploring Yoda's species, wishing to avoid confirming that an entire species of Yoda-like individuals neccessarily even existed. A significant example of this policy was when Lucasfilm (likely at the direction of George Lucas himself) ordered the pulping of the entire print run of a yet-to-be-released Star Wars trading card depicting a group of the unknown tridactyl species worshipping a larger-than-lifesize statue of one of their number, led in prayer by an individual who may have been intended to be Yoda.




 * When The Essential Guide to Characters was published, Yoda's homeworld was listed as Dagobah, leading some fans to believe that they were from Dagobah in origin. However, new material released states that Yoda was not only not born there, but that he apparently had never heard of Dagobah before the Clone Wars.


 * Early cover art for the upcoming New Essential Guide to Alien Species featured Yoda prominently, leading some fans to believe that the species name will finally be revealed in that book. However, Leland Chee has stated here that while information on Yoda's species will be presented, no species name or homeworld will be revealed.  Many fans do not understand why Lucas insists on this "secret."


 * Several Hasbro action figures of Yoda and Yaddle have featured four and even five toes, although this is generally not evident unless directly viewing the underside of the figures.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Star Wars: Obi-Wan
 * Heart of Darkness
 * Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force
 * Jedi Apprentice: The Dark Rival
 * Star Wars Republic: Prelude to Rebellion
 * Jedi Council: Acts of War
 * Cloak of Deception
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Republic: Emissaries to Malastare
 * Star Wars Republic: The Hunt for Aurra Sing
 * Jedi Quest: The Way of the Apprentice
 * Jedi Quest: The Moment of Truth
 * The Approaching Storm
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars
 * Star Wars: Republic Commando
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Shatterpoint
 * Jedi: Yoda
 * Jedi: Count Dooku
 * Yaddle's Tale: The One Below
 * Star Wars Republic 63: Striking from the Shadows
 * Honor Bound
 * Jedi Trial
 * Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
 * Reversal of Fortune
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * The Hidden
 * Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Yoda Stories
 * Return of the Ewok
 * The Courtship of Princess Leia
 * Marvel Star Wars 92: The Dream
 * HoloNet News (website)