Bendu Symbol
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. Due to their study of numerology, the number eight created by this symbol had great meaning.[1]
History[]
The reconstituted Sith Empire used a six-spoked crest similar to the Bendu symbol.[2] By the Clone Wars, the Galactic Republic had adopted the symbol to represent their own role in galactic unification. A six-spoked form of the symbol was also used by the Republic during the Battle of Coruscant immediately before the rise of the Galactic Empire. The symbol was later the basis for the Imperial crest.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
The name "Bendu" may come from George Lucas's original name for the Jedi Knights: the Jedi Bendu.[3]
In Revenge of the Sith, during the Battle of Coruscant, Anakin's starfighter bears a six-spoked roundel instead of an eight-spoke roundel. This can be seen when R2-D2 fights the buzz droid.
Symbol that appeared on Republic Navy starships 3996 BBY
In Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War, Republic Navy starships are emblazoned with a blue nine-spoke symbol. The flag of the Khoonda on Dantooine (3956 BBY to 3951 BBY) which appeared 45 years later in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, had a nine-spoked blue symbol. In the PlayStation 2 version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, on the Nar Shaddaa level, screens with the eight-spoke Galactic Republic Bendu appear and can be destroyed.
Appearances[]
An Old Republic nine-spoked symbol
- Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void (and audiobook)
- Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm 1 (In flashback(s))
- Darth Plagueis (and audiobook) (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Episode I Racer (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Battlefront
- Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars: Battlefront II
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Jedi Crash"- The Wrath of Darth Maul (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First appearance)
- The Star Wars Holiday Special
- Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
- Millennium Falcon (and audiobook)
Sources[]
- Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Incredible Cross-Sections
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections
