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- "I think I've earned the right to wear this again."
- ―Ahsoka Tano to Cad Bane
Anakin Skywalker with his Padawan braid.
A Padawan braid was a type of braid worn by Jedi Padawans.
Description[edit | edit source]
Those who were of a species that grew hair or fur grew a small single, long, and tight braid of hair behind their left or right ear. Those who chose to could weave a ribbon of cloth or special beads like silka beads into the braid. Some species were recorded to have woven their facial hair into a braid (if they could not grow one from their scalp).
Members of species unable to grow hair might instead wear a woven braid of canvas or cloth around the wrist, neck, ear, or horn, or use body modifications such as piercings or markings. Other alternatives emerged over the centuries: Chagrian and Iktotchi wore circlets on their cranial horns. Sluissi Jedi wore a simple tattoo across their left cheek. Swokes Swokes could have a medallion implanted below their foreheads. Togruta could wear chains or beads that run between their montrals. Twi'leks could wear chains or beads that run between their lekku.
History[edit | edit source]
Padawans that were members of the Jedi Order were encouraged to grow a braid or in some way show their rank for easy identification. When a Padawan was declared a Knight, the lock would be severed with a lightsaber. If a Padawan was instead expelled from the Order, the braid was ripped off, as happened to Ahsoka Tano.
In the New Jedi Order, the practice of apprentices wearing braids was all but forgotten, though Ben Skywalker revived the old tradition for himself when he was unofficially apprenticed to Jacen Solo.
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Between scenes of the prequel trilogy movies, Padawan braids worn by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker often change sides. All of these are mistakes in the movies (this could be due to the shot being flipped in post-production, or they wore hair extensions put on for the scene, as real braids take months or years to grow). Traditionally the braid is worn on the right.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace on StarWars.com (backup link) (Picture only)- Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones on StarWars.com (backup link) (Picture only)
- "The Wrong Jedi" Episode Gallery on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Threats of the Galaxy
- Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game – Squadrons Over Corellia (Card: Padawan Braid)
- The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
