Star Wars fans know much about Yoda. Yet, we may not be familiar with the symbol that goes with him. What is it and what does it represent? It has to do with Yoda’s personal approach to being a Jedi.
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What Is This Symbol?
Fans discussed this mysterious symbol on this Reddit discussion. A few posts revealed what it is –Yoda’s crest. It may come as a surprise that the Grand Master has one, but he does.
According to Wookieepedia, this crest serves as Yoda’s “personal symbol” and is used on his door at the Jedi Temple. This crest also appears on some walls of the Temple and the wings of Yoda’s starfighter.
Philip Metschan designed Yoda’s crest for the 2002 Attack of the Clones. Yet, a similar crest appeared in the 1994 Legends novel The Courtship of Princess Leia. Like Metschan’s design, the book’s crest had two glyphs in the middle of it that spelled Yoda’s name in his language. The two designs, like the crest, seem to go hand-in-hand.
As a fan from above indicated, the crest reflects “Yoda’s individual identity and status within the Jedi Order.” While we may think that having this distinctive mark might interfere with the Jedi code, it actually fits well as a personal marker.
What Does This Symbol Represent?
The crest is mainly displayed in Yoda’s personal living quarters. Since this is Yoda’s private space, the crest serves as a marker of his residence and meditation area. His quarters are “hexagonal and bare” with “few pieces of furniture,” and thus rather Spartan-like.
So, including some distinctions to his living area helps personalize it. Moreover, placing the crest on the floor and some meditation pads could help Yoda focus on renewing himself through the Force. Yet, the crest has further significance.
Central symbols in Star Wars help identify and associate meanings with the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire. The Jedi’s “symbol of wings and what looks like a shining light” conveys their sense of purpose in the galaxy. By extension, Yoda’s symbol reflects a more tailored approach.
Yoda’s crest symbol ultimately conveys what he represents. As discussed here, Yoda reflects wisdom, knowledge, respect, character, and patience, among other attributes. We can see how the crest that indicates his name provides a way to express those characteristics that go beyond the ordinary Jedi.
The character and appearance of Yoda seem to originate from a combination of a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and Albert Einstein. Those inspirations instill Yoda with deep intelligence and wisdom, and the crest seeks to reflect them.
This symbolism is not meant to bolster Yoda’s status, but to reflect what he stands for and what he has done for the galaxy.
Yoda’s Symbol
Yoda’s crest is a symbol of the Jedi, but more so a reflection of who he is as a Jedi. The crest serves as a means to focus his energies and for us to recognize his virtues.