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The Jedi Code Explained

Even casual fans realize that, in the Star Wars universe, the Jedi are more than just the “good guys” with lightsabers. The Jedi are directed and informed by a profound moral worldview, the Jedi Code, that is based on the Force and has relevance far beyond their perennial struggle against the partisans of the Dark Side. Beyond that, however, a lot of people don’t have a clear idea about what the Jedi are really about. What is the Jedi Code, and how does it guide the beliefs and actions of the Jedi Order? With Jedi Code Explained, we’ll explore its core meaning and its role in daily life and even in battle.

The Jedi Order is a multifaceted hierarchical organization that encompasses spirituality, philosophy, altruism, vocational training, martial arts-inspired combat moves, and other beliefs and activities that align with the Light Side of the Force. All these activities are grounded in a guiding philosophy that supports this Jedi creed. To understand the Jedi, you must be familiar with the Code and the ways that it applies to the day-to-day life of the adherents of the Light Side.

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The Words of The Jedi Code

The Star Wars Jedi Code exists in multiple versions, but all of them express more or less the same sentiments. One commonly quoted version runs as follows:

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

 

While Rey was on Ahch-To (the remote world where the Jedi Order was founded), the whispery chanting she heard from a tree that held the ancient Jedi texts was actually a recitation of this Code (although it’s difficult to discern the words). This version is generally regarded as the most canonical form of the Jedi creed; however, another version of the Code gets the same ideas across in fewer words:

Emotion, yet peace

Ignorance, yet knowledge

Passion, yet serenity

Chaos, yet harmony

Death, yet the Force

 

This shorter form of the Code is often attributed to Legends material, including Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. This variation highlights that the Jedi Code’s meaning has always been open to interpretation—but at its heart, the Jedi creed emphasizes peace, balance, and harmony. These are certainly intriguing sentiments, but how do they relate to the Jedi cause?

Interpreting The Jedi Code

The Jedi Code is not an instruction book; it expresses ideals and truths in a straightforward form. As such, the Code does not provide how-to advice for every type of situation that may arise; it merely offers a basis for managing one’s personal behavior and—for the Jedi Council—establishing rules and practices. Like many philosophical ideals, it is open to interpretation. What follows is merely one way of interpreting the Jedi Code.

The Jedi Code Meaning in Practice

Many commentators have observed that the Jedi Code bears resemblance to certain beliefs found in Eastern religions, such as Taoism and Buddhism. The Code advocates a very similar rejection of worldly attachments in its first three lines: “There is no emotion/ignorance/passion.” That should not be taken to argue for the non-existence of these phenomena.

Certainly, emotion exists, as do ignorance and passion. Anakin Skywalker’s tragic journey from Jedi Knight to Sith Lord illustrates how unchecked ignorance and passion can lead from the Light Side to the Dark Side, a theme explored further in Anakin Becomes Darth Vader: From Blue to Red Lightsaber. For the Jedi, they are not part of authentic living; instead, they seek self-control and deeper knowledge of the universe around them.

Balance & Harmony in The Jedi Code Explained

“There is no emotion” and “There is no passion” may seem redundant, but it is unlikely that they would have survived so long in the Jedi Code if that were truly the case. “Emotion” in this context probably refers to an uncontrolled mental response to events, which leads to foolish and rash actions. For instance, a Jedi would not angrily lash out if their foot gets accidentally stepped on. “Passion” is more about the tendency to become unduly obsessed with aspects of the material world. The Jedi maintain their spiritual equilibrium by ensuring that this tendency is always under control.

The final two lines of the Jedi creed depart from the first three by being statements relating to the universe rather than human ideals. The universe is an orderly place. (That belief arguably also applies to the Jedi personally, advocating “harmony” in one’s conduct to mirror the balance of the cosmos.) And because the Force is immortal, so are its adherents.

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Variations of The Jedi Code

Now that we’ve answered the basics of “What is the Jedi Code?” let’s dig into some specifics regarding variations of the Star Wars Jedi Code. Within the Jedi Order itself, three primary schools approached the Code in slightly different ways: Jedi Consulars (traditionally green lightsaber wielders), Jedi Guardians (often blue lightsaber users), and Jedi Sentinels (associated with yellow lightsabers in Legends). Each group emphasized different aspects of the Code in practice, though all drew from the same foundation.

That being said, over time, fans have developed alternate versions of the Jedi Code, some of which appear in Legends while others exist only in fan discussions. These select variations highlight different ways the Jedi creed has been interpreted across the Star Wars universe:

 

Grey Jedi Code

The so-called Grey Jedi rejects strict adherence to either the Light or Dark Side, choosing balance instead (this concept often arises in discussions about Rey, explored further in, Is Rey a Grey Jedi?). This particular Jedi Code meaning emphasizes freedom, choice, and pragmatism. While not canon, the Grey Jedi Code remains popular among fans who explore the “middle path,” like that of Rey, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Ahsoka Tano.

 

Dark Jedi Code

Dark Jedi were former members of the Order who turned away from Jedi teachings without fully embracing the Sith, such as Asajj Ventress when working with Count Dooku. Though less formalized, the Dark Jedi Code often stresses passion and power over restraint. Like the Grey Jedi, this is considered a Legends or fan-created interpretation.

 

Knights of The Old Republic Jedi Code

In the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game, the Jedi Code makes an appearance when players encounter the Jedi Code directly, reciting and reflecting on it as part of their training. This definitive moment reinforces the importance of the Code in shaping Jedi identity and gives many fans their first exposure to the text.

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Jedi Code vs. Sith Code

To fully understand the Jedi, it is helpful to compare their ideals with those of their greatest enemies, the Sith. The Jedi Code emphasizes peace, knowledge, and harmony, while the Sith Code glorifies passion, strength, and victory.

Here’s a simple comparison of the Jedi and Sith Lord creeds:

  • Jedi Code: “There is no emotion, there is peace.”
  • Sith Code: “Peace is a lie, there is only passion.”

 

Where the Jedi seek balance and self-control, the Sith embrace raw ambition and domination. These opposing philosophies lie at the heart of the galaxy’s greatest conflicts, shaping battles from the fall of the Jedi Order to the rise of the Empire. For more on the Sith legacy, explore our guide on Darth Vader’s lightsaber and lore.

If you’d like to discuss Jedi Code meanings and other aspects of the Star Wars universe with fellow enthusiasts, be sure to visit SaberForum.com. We also welcome you to design your very own custom lightsaber from scratch, or start with a character-inspired lightsaber or battle-ready lightsaber. Feel free to contact Ultrasabers with any questions you may have about our lightsaber replicas.