The Knights of the Jedi Order are among the most consistent protagonists in the Star Wars franchise, with the iconic Force-users living by a code of conduct first established in the prequel trilogy. The movies only reference a few specific elements of the Jedi Code, yet various non-movie materials exclusive to the Star Wars canon and Legends continuities further develop the code, revealing its intricacies as well as the various responsibilities, values, and restrictions of the Jedi Knights. Unsurprisingly, given the Jedi Order’s long history in both timelines, the Jedi Code has evolved over generations, like the Jedi themselves.

Although the Jedi are undeniably among the greatest heroes in the Star Wars franchise, they are not without flaws. The prequel trilogy depicts the Jedi as arrogant, complacent, overly restrictive, and overall unbalanced, leaving them particularly vulnerable to the machinations of the Sith. The prequels hardly represent the best era of the Jedi Order, with the reformed New Jedi Order of the Legends continuity and the High Republic era Jedi of the modern canon exploring more effective, balanced, and emotionally healthy generations of Jedi. Throughout the various eras and Star Wars continuities, here are the rules of the Jedi Code.

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The Jedi Code’s Mantra

The Words They Live By

The most famous portion of the Jedi Code is its mantra, which is found in numerous Star Wars canon and Legends properties. The mantra has different variants, depending on the era of the Jedi Order, but the most famous iteration is the following:

“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.”

Perhaps the most notable variant is a far more balanced iteration of the Jedi Code’s mantra. This version was used during the Old Sith Wars in the Legends continuity and during the prequel era by some Jedi in the modern Star Wars canon. The variation reads:

“Emotion, yet peace.

Ignorance, yet knowledge.

Passion, yet serenity.

Chaos, yet harmony.

Death, yet the Force.”

Although the Sith Lords are not simply Jedi who use the dark side, the first members of the Sith Order were dark side-corrupted former Jedi, so the two groups share basic cultural elements. These include lightsabers and a code of conduct with a famous mantra, with the Sith Code’s mantra parodying the Jedi Code’s mantra in some ways.

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The Jedi Code’s Rules For Emotion, Attachments, & Relationships

Emotional Control

Since unrestrained emotions negatively affect one’s judgment and certain emotions can make Jedi especially vulnerable to the dark side, the Jedi Code stresses that Jedi Knights control their emotions. Unfortunately, by the end of the High Republic era in the modern Star Wars canon and following the Ruusan Campaign in the Legends continuity, Jedi began the practice of suppressing their emotions rather than controlling them, contributing to their collective imbalance in the prequels. For most of the High Republic era and throughout the New Jedi Order’s history, however, Jedi exercise control over their emotions rather than suppressing them.

Attachments

The Jedi Code also forbids attachment, stressing that Jedi must let go of what they fear to lose. Unsurprisingly, the prequel-era Jedi were the strictest about this element of the Code, but this is not always the case in Star Wars canon and Legends. The High Republic-era Jedi in the modern canon believed that love and other connections were natural, but a Jedi must exercise control and not become possessive. The Legends-era New Jedi Order took the most balanced approach, allowing attachments and ownership of possessions, if Jedi could continue their lives and duties, even after experiencing loss.

Relationships

The Jedi Code’s most infamous restriction concerns romantic relationships. Jedi are encouraged to love, but not fall in love. This contributed to Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side, as he secretly married Padmé Amidala in violation of the code. Unsurprisingly, this restriction did not exist in the New Jedi Order and possibly the High Republic-era’s Jedi Order, with the original Legends iteration of Luke Skywalker marrying Mara Jade (a Jedi herself). Although Luke mourned Mara Jade following her murder, he did not fall to the dark side, continuing to love her while letting go of his attachment.

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The Jedi’s Code’s Views On Death

Becoming One With The Force

The Force is a fundamental energy field found throughout the galaxy. To tap into the Force requires a strong connection to and understanding of nature, including the cycle of life and death. Jedi Grandmaster Yoda referenced the Jedi Code’s views on death in Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, easing (or attempting to ease) the worries of Luke and Anakin Skywalker, respectively. Since all life is connected to the Force, all beings are reabsorbed into the Force upon their deaths. Some Jedi can even return as Force ghosts, offering advice to the living.

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The Jedi Code’s Responsibilities & Restrictions

The Jedi Order’s Relationship With The Dark Side

Although there are many different interpretations of the Force, its relationship with the dark side, and what balance means, the original six saga movies made it clear that the dark side is fundamentally unnatural and imbalanced. Furthermore, the Jedi simply use the Force in its natural and balanced state – the “light side” or “good side” is only a nickname for the Force. Unsurprisingly, the Jedi Code stresses that Jedi never tap into the dark side and avoid paths that will lead them to its seductive power. The Jedi seek balance, and therefore must never succumb to the dark side.

The Vices Of The Jedi

In addition to avoiding the dark side, the Jedi Code also encourages Jedi Knights to eschew other traits, either due to them potentially leading a Jedi to the dark side or simply distracting them from their duties. The Jedi Code teaches Jedi to conquer traits like defeatism and overconfidence, as both could lead to imbalance. The Code also keeps recklessness, materialism, and arrogance in check, guiding Jedi to not see themselves as rulers or otherwise a cut above others, but rather as faithful and selfless servants of the Force.

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The Jedi Code’s Mandates Of Honor

A Jedi’s Honor

Naturally, the Jedi Code stresses honorable conduct among Jedi Knights. Among the most basic elements of this is practicing honesty – both with others and oneself. Another concerns a Jedi’s promise. Jedi must fulfill promises and thus not make them lightly. Respect between a Master and a Padawan is also mandated by the Jedi Code. Ultimately, Jedi throughout the galaxy represent the Jedi Council and the Jedi Order writ large and thus need to give the best possible impression of both. Jedi are expected to act not as rulers, but as protectors and servants of the Republic and its populace.

The Jedi Order’s Duty To The Republic

In an esoteric sense, the Jedi serve the Force and all beings throughout the galaxy, but functionally, they serve the Galactic Republic. Typically, the Jedi are not part of any official Republic hierarchy (with the Jedi becoming generals in the Clone Wars being one notable exception), yet they are at the disposal of Republic politicians and the Republic military. Despite their power and unusual position within the Republic, the Jedi Code notes that Jedi are not above the law, and are expected to follow the same laws – and suffer the same consequences for breaking them – as any ordinary Republic citizen.

Jedi Rules On How To Use A Lightsaber

Just as individual Jedi represents the Jedi Order while on missions, so too do their lightsabers. In both Star Wars continuities, the Jedi Code teaches that a Jedi must be prepared to take a life if they ignite their lightsaber. Fascinatingly, this rule is only loosely followed, with Jedi often using their lightsabers as tools or to non-lethally defeat their opponents. One Jedi practice, known as Form Zero, stresses that a Jedi can use the sight of their lightsaber to defuse a conflict without violence – and know when to deactivate their weapon and use alternative means of problem-solving.

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A Jedi’s Public Service

Serving The Will Of The Force

Naturally, considering the Jedi Code’s mandates of honorable conduct and service to the Republic, the Code also stresses the importance of public service. The Jedi serve the will of the Force, and thus all beings, even if they are not native to Republic worlds, are to be protected and receive help when in crisis. Unfortunately, Jedi cannot be everywhere at once and have to, in some cases, prioritize their immediate mission over providing aid. Moreover, the Jedi Code stresses mindfulness when aiding beings, as the potential ramifications could worsen a situation.

The Legends-era New Jedi Order took the Jedi Code’s mandate of public service quite seriously, with Luke’s students proactively traveling throughout the galaxy and helping people as part of their training even more than simply attending classes. Jedi are also expected not to remain neutral in conflicts, as inaction could allow evil to succeed. This – along with the hopes of tracking down Darth Maul – led the Jedi Council to send Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi back to Naboo, where they helped Queen Amidala repel the Trade Federation invaders in the Star Wars prequels.