Jedi Code/Legends



The Jedi Code was a mantra that served to reinforce the teachings of the Jedi.

Variations
Several versions of the code exist, though the older code was:


 * Emotion, yet peace.
 * Ignorance, yet knowledge.
 * Passion, yet serenity.
 * Chaos, yet harmony.
 * Death, yet the Force.

The refined version established by Odan-Urr is perhaps the best known:


 * 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.
 * —The Jedi Code (Based on the meditations of Odan-Urr)

The fourth line "There is no chaos, there is harmony," is removed in some Jedi texts.

The Jedi Code has also been seen written like this:


 * Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
 * Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.
 * Jedi respect all life, in any form.
 * Jedi serve others rather then ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
 * Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.

Meaning

 * There is no emotion, there is peace
 * Emotions are a natural part of living. As the great sagas have shown us, Jedi are not immune to feeling emotions. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda both openly express their sorrow when they discover the death of younglings at the newly-appointed Darth Vader's hand. This tenet is not to say that emotion does not exist but that it ought to be set aside. Emotions must be understood first, and it is a young Jedi's duty to explore his feelings. Unless a Jedi can confront his thoughts and feelings, he will never achieve peace. Emotions, then, are not to be overcome or denied, but rather understood and dealt with. A'Sharad Hett reminds the young Anakin Skywalker of this during their campaigns together during the Clone Wars. Hett points out that Anakin's anger is understandable, but he must face it. This tenet could be modified to read "Emotion cannot take away my peace."


 * There is no ignorance, there is knowledge
 * A Jedi must be circumspecting and try to understand the world that is surrounding him. That ignorance does not exist is, of course, a flat-out lie or gross misunderstanding. Ignorance is a part of life but it must not be feared. For more knowledge to light their way, the Jedi Temple Archives contains possibly the single largest source of information in the galaxy, but this tenet also reminds the Knight that knowledge can be taken from the most unusual places. The great Master Yoda demonstrated this to the young Luke Skywalker on Dagobah when he acted like a fool, and when he acted childish in front of younglings. This performance was meant to teach Luke and the younglings the simple fact: even the foolish can be wise. Indeed, while instructing younglings, Master Yoda was often heard to remark that "Truly wonderful the mind of a child is." This tenet is what gives the Jedi his open mind and ability to accept what other beings would tend to see as unacceptable. In other words, this tenet points out that often a Jedi must use not only his rational mind but also his intuitive mind in order to ascertain the truth of a situation. This tenet is embodied by Qui-Gon Jinn's statement to Anakin Skywalker to "feel, don't think." Dexter Jettster would further demonstrate this notion: "I should think you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom."


 * There is no passion, there is serenity
 * This tenet is essentially a repetition of the first. But this refers more directly to situations of extreme stress in which a Jedi might be tempted to react strongly. That a Jedi must draw his weapon only in defense is an expression of this tenet. While emotions and intuition must be understood and utilized in a Jedi's daily life, he must never act rashly. Passionate use of power leads to the dark side. A Jedi must always act with a calm hand and an even temper.


 * There is no chaos, there is harmony
 * This statement reflects the cosmology of the Jedi Order. Whereas uninitiated beings see the universe as a chaotic and disconnected place, a Jedi realizes that all things are interconnected and, more importantly, interdependent. While an uninitiated being sees sorrow and tragedy in the workings of the universe, through the Force, a Jedi is able to interpret and understand even the most painful of life's events. Without this cosmology, surely the first tenets of the Jedi Code would be meaningless. After all, how could one possibly forsake love and compassion if he did not understand the truth of the universe: there is no chaos, there is harmony. Every event has a purpose. As the great Jedi Master Yoda told Anakin Skywalker once, "Death is a natural part of life." Minor inconveniences such as failure, disappointment, and disagreement are also inevitable and should be taken in stride. Jedi do not deny the fact that tragic and terrible things happen; they merely point out that tragedy is simply another part of life.

Without this tenet, all other tenets of the Jedi Code would be meaningless.


 * There is no death, there is the Force
 * A Jedi, like many ancient feudal knights of various empires, must always be ready for death. As a warrior not only in combat but also in day-to-day life, it is easy to fail and fall. As Qui-Gon Jinn pointed out to the young Anakin Skywalker, it is quite possible to kill a Jedi, and it happens often. The sense of loss is often even greater for one who feels it with the Force. Death, however, is not a tragedy and is merely a part of the life cycle. Without death, life could not exist. This tenet represents a darker side of the Jedi Order, the side that accepts, indeed embraces, death, rot and corruption of corporeal forms. As such, Jedi do not fear death nor do they mourn it overmuch; a Jedi, after all, must celebrate death if he is to also celebrate life. While sources disagree on this point, it is noteworthy to point out that this tenet does not support vegetarianism among the Jedi but, some scholars argue, it does in fact support omnivorism among Jedi.

Miscellaneous tenets

 * Here can be read a number of miscellaneous tenets which are not mentioned in the Code, but should be known for all Jedi.


 * The Jedi are the guardians of civilization, yet not allow civilization to destroy needlessly.
 * A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for aggression or personal gain.
 * The lightsaber is the symbol of the members of the Jedi Order.
 * Jedi do not marry (with some exceptions), in order to avoid attachment and&mdash;according to Vergere&mdash;so as not to create dynasties of those strong in the Force. However, in many periods of the Order's history, such as the era prior to Exar Kun and in Luke Skywalker's reformed Jedi Order, marriage was not forbidden.
 * Jedi respect one another and all life forms.
 * Jedi must put the needs of the community above the needs of individuals.
 * A Jedi must protect the weak and defenseless from evil.
 * Jedi must always cooperate in battle or crisis.
 * Jedi must not have wants; self-reliance must be shown.
 * Jedi are forbidden from ruling others, although by the end of the Republic there was some debate over whether or not this was part of the actual Code.
 * A Jedi Master may not have more than one Padawan. This particular rule developed after the Old Sith Wars, as most ancient Masters such as Arca Jeth, Thon, and Vodo-Siosk Baas did not have to abide by it. However, one apprentice per master seemed to be the standard around 32 BBY. But due to the lack of numbers in Luke Skywalker's Academy, several padawans per master was forced, as seen in Jaden Korr and Rosh training under Kyle Katarn
 * While the Code did not mention a maximum age for taking Padawans, Jedi Master Simikarty wrote influential interpretations of the Code that inserted such limits; over time, his interpretations of the Code became conflated with the Code itself. In Revan's era, apprentices were taken from early childhood. After the war with Darth Bane, it became policy to take apprentices from infancy, which proved controversial with those outside the Order. Conversely, Nomi Sunrider started her training as an adult, did the apprentices of the Jedi Exile and many of the New Jedi Order.
 * A Jedi will not kill an unarmed opponent, such as the way Anakin Skywalker executed Count Dooku.
 * A Jedi will not take revenge, such as did Anakin against the Tusken Raiders
 * A corollary of the Code was "A Jedi does not act for personal power."
 * A Jedi does not cling to the past.
 * The Jedi do not believe in killing their prisoners.

Following the code

 * Self-discipline
 * Conquer arrogance
 * Conquer overconfidence
 * Conquer defeatism
 * Conquer stubbornness
 * Conquer recklessness
 * Conquer curiosity
 * Conquer aggression
 * Conquer external loyalties
 * Conquer materialism
 * Responsibility
 * Practice honesty
 * Honor your promise
 * Honor your Padawan
 * Honor your Master
 * Honor the Jedi Council
 * Honor the Jedi Order
 * Honor the Law
 * Honor life
 * Public service
 * Duty to the Republic
 * Render aid
 * Defend the weak
 * Provide support

Behind the scenes

 * It's not hard to find similarities between the Jedi Code and the occidental (and perhaps oriental) laws of Chivalry and the ideal of virtues.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Jedi Apprentice series
 * Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Jedi Quest series
 * Outbound Flight
 * Jedi Trial
 * Dark Apprentice
 * Junior Jedi Knights: The Golden Globe
 * Junior Jedi Knights: Lyric's World
 * Survivor's Quest
 * Destiny's Way