Alliance Starbird

The Alliance Starbird.

"We need a flag to rally behind. A symbol. A symbol of hope."

―Leia Organa

The Alliance Starbird, also known as the Phoenix was the insignia of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. It adorned the flight helmets of a number of Rebel pilots during the Galactic Civil War. It was based on the Marek family crest.

History

The Rebel insignia honoring Galen Marek

The Rebels adopted the symbol from the family crest of the Marek family in honor to Galen Marek, Darth Vader's former apprentice, who sacrificed himself protecting the three founders of the Alliance. What's more, the Starbird is very similar to the emblem of the Old Jedi Order, if somewhat modified version.

Often described as a rising phoenix, the Starbird represented the Alliance's goal of setting the stage for the Galactic Republic to rise up from the ashes of the Galactic Empire that it swore to topple. The Starbird most often appeared in bright red or blue but was also sometimes displayed in yellow, black, or gray.

When the Alliance became the New Republic, the Starbird was retained as the central image of the new government's insignia, as well as of the New Jedi Order.

Adar Tallon's family crest resembled an altered Starbird symbol.

Related symbols

Rhen Var ruins symbol

Jedi/Republic symbol during Great Galactic War

Old Jedi Order symbol

Tallon's Family Crest.jpg

Adar Tallon family crest

Alliance of Free Planets

Alliance to Restore the Republic

Renegade Squadron

Rogue Squadron crest

Wraith Squadron symbol

Novahawk (Rebel privateer)

Insignia of the New Republic

New Republic Provisional Council

Lusankya symbol

Katarn Commandos symbol

New Republic Dreadnaught symbol

New Jedi Order

Galactic Federation of Free Alliances

Behind the scenes

Older sources mentioned it was taken from the seal of the Old Republic itself, but as none of the different seals of the Old Republic looked like the Rebellion's crest, this information seems now deemed non-canon. However, a panel seen in Star Wars Republic 78: Loyalties has shown a dark starbird painted on the bow of a Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser. This might indicate the starbird was somehow in use of the Republic during its late days; perhaps the cruiser was associated somehow with the Marek family.

Appearances

Signet ring

• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Non-canonical appearance)
• Star Wars: Battlefront
• Star Wars: Battlefront II
• The Force Unleashed novel / video game / comic
• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
• LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Non-canonical appearance)
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• X-wing: Rogue Squadron
• X-wing: The Krytos Trap
• Betrayal

Sources

• Pirates & Privateers
• The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
• Heir to the Empire Sourcebook
• The Official Star Wars Fact File 2
• Tatooine Manhunt
• Star Wars Legacy 0½
• Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game — [[{{{set}}}]] (Card: Rebel Banner) (backup link) (Picture only)
• Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game — [[{{{set}}}]] (Card: Rebel Signer Ring) (backup link (https://swg.fandom.com/wiki/Special:Redirect/file/Rebel_Signer_Ring_(card).JPG) not verified!) (Picture only)
• Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game — [[{{{set}}}]] (Card: Rebel Insignia Hologram) (backup link)