Padawans serve as the middling rank in the Jedi Order, after that of a Youngling and before that of a Knight. With few exceptions, Padawan training takes years to complete. And given the actual rarity of achieving the rank, it is seen as a great honor to become one.
Padawans often train for at least a decade under a Jedi Knight or Master, and each Jedi can only take one Padawan at a time with few exceptions. Padawans must complete their Jedi Trials to ascend to Knighthood, which typically occurs in their mid-20s.
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About Padawan or Jedi Apprentice
In Star Wars, we often have the notion that Jedi Younglings naturally advanced to the Padawan stage. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Not every Jedi Youngling became a Padawan, even if they passed their Initiate Trials.
Only the most powerful Jedi Younglings gained consideration to become Padawans and from there, only those a Jedi Knight or a Jedi Master selected officially advanced to the Padawan rank. For example, Qui-Gon Jinn chose Obi-Wan Kenobi to become his Padawan.
The selection had to be mutual, with the Padawan accepting training by the Jedi who chose them. Given the honor one received when advancing to the Padawan rank, it was rare for an aspiring Padawan to turn down a Jedi’s offer.
In some cases, Jedi chose not to train a Padawan. However, this was rare because the Jedi Order saw it as their responsibility to train future generations.
There were times the Jedi High Council stepped in and paired a Padawan with a specific Jedi if the former excelled in a specific talent. Special assignments also occurred if a seer witnessed a prophecy regarding a specific Padawan.
Padawans During the Clone Wars Era
The Clone Wars served as a prime example where the Jedi High Council assigned Padawans. For instance, during the television series The Clone Wars, Yoda assigns Ahsoka Tano to become Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan.
Although Padawans weren’t fully-trained Jedi Knights, they received extensive combat training during the Clone Wars and even served as commanders. This occurred because the Galactic Republic lacked military leaders.
While Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters also commanded clone trooper units, it wasn’t uncommon to see a Padawan commanding a larger regiment, even if Padawans were younger and less experienced than their troopers.
During the High Republic Era
Before the Clone Wars, most Padawan training occurred in the galaxy’s Outer Rim Territories. They often remained at Jedi outposts, but they were sometimes called away for off-world assignments.
However, they also joined their Masters in deadlier missions. We saw an example of a Padawan embarking on a deadly mission in The Phantom Menace when Obi-Wan Kenobi accompanied Qui-Gon Jinn to negotiate with the Trade Federation.
The “fast negotiations” ended up with the duo fighting their way out of a deadly trap, setting the stage for the film’s events that included their discovery of Anakin Skywalker.
Padawans also spent a lot of time in meditation alongside their Master, so much so that they associated meditation with whoever trained them for the rest of their lives.
While they learned meditative techniques as Younglings, most only grasped the process after spending weeks at a time in meditation with their Master. This allowed Padawans to gain a deeper connection to the Force and close in on uncovering its truths.
This process could backfire. When a Padawan advanced to the rank of Jedi Knight and meditated without their Master, they experienced a more difficult time in meditation. Their meditation experienced further changes following the Master’s death.
How Many Padawans Can a Jedi Have?
Under most circumstances, Jedi Knights and Masters could only train one Padawan at a time, as the Jedi Code enforced. However, they could have more than one Padawan throughout their time as a Knight/Master.
In Star Wars Legends, Qui-Gon Jinn’s Padawans included Obi-Wan Kenobi, Xanatos, and Feemor. But since he trained them at different times, he wasn’t breaking the rules.
Some may point to Anakin Skywalker, but Qui-Gon never trained Anakin as a Padawan. Instead, Qui-Gon targeted Anakin as his next Padawan, insisting Obi-Wan Kenobi was ready to face his Jedi Trials to become a Jedi Knight.
There are exceptions to the One Padawan Rule. During times of war or chaos, there was no limit on the number of Padawans a Jedi Knight or Master could take.
How/When Does a Padawan Become a Jedi?
Just as many Younglings never advanced to the rank of Padawan, even fewer ascended to Jedi Knighthood. Padawan training was rigorous, regardless of whether the Galactic Republic enjoyed a time of peace or if they were involved in an armed conflict.
And yes, during times of conflict, Padawans were not exempt from facing life-threatening situations. The Clone Wars served as a perfect example.
As for what a Padawan was ultimately exposed to, it depended on their Masters. Some Masters took a hands-off approach and pushed the Padawan to their limits. Others possessed a protective mechanism.
Regardless of the Master’s preferences, a Padawan’s transition from living in the Jedi Temple as a Youngling to the open galaxy was not easy.
Outside in the galaxy, they did not have the support of their clans or the protection the Temple offered. In the Temple, they lived in a controlled environment, something they no longer had the minute they accompanied a Master.
However, Padawans would continue training at the Jedi Temple when they were in between missions. Here, they took lessons or completed various tasks related to their role.
How a Padawan Becomes a Jedi?
Once a Master deemed the Padawan ready to become a Jedi, the Padawan took their Jedi Trials. These Trials varied, depending on the era.
During the Golden Age of the Jedi, it was common for Padawans to undergo their Jedi Trials within the Jedi Temple. In many cases seen in the Star Wars Canon, the Trials were less organized and more random.
One example includes Obi-Wan Kenobi when he defeated and presumably killed Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace.
Ahsoka Tano serves as another example: she rejected the Jedi Council when they offered her Knighthood following her acquittal of the Jedi Temple bombing, citing the ordeal of her trial.
Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Trial is perhaps the most famous. In Return of the Jedi, Luke’s trial involved confronting Darth Vader. Part of Luke’s trial also occurred in the Force Cave on Dagobah.
As for what the Jedi Trials consist of, it varies between Star Wars Canon and Star Wars Legends.
In the Canon, the Jedi faces the following Steps of Trial:
- Teamwork
- Isolation
- Fear
- Anger
- Betrayal
- Focus
- Instinct
- Forgiveness
- Protection
In Legends, there are just five trials:
- Skill: Focus on self-discipline were the two characteristics the Trial of Skill tested.
- Courage: This trial varied, ranging from valor on the battlefield during wartime, or successfully dealing with simulations during peacetime. Solo missions were not uncommon.
- Flesh: Often regarded as the most intense, as it dealt with physical pain and loss. Battle scars were acceptable, but the loss of limb guaranteed a successful trial.
- Spirit: The Padawan looked for self-discovery, often exposing the darkness within the Padawan. Luke Skywalker’s Trial of the Spirit occurred during his vision while in the Force cave on Dagobah.
- Insight: This one tested a Padawan’s mental aptitude. It ranged from riddle or puzzle-solving or using the Force to see beyond illusions of an enemy.
When a Padawan Becomes a Jedi?
A Jedi Youngling advances to the Padawan rank during their teenage years, after spending at least a decade as a Youngling. In most cases, the same holds true for Padawans aspiring to become Jedi.
Obi-Wan Kenobi was 25 during The Phantom Menace and he was still a Padawan. But, the actual age of a Padawan advancing to Jedi Knight varies.
Anakin Skywalker was 19 when he became a Jedi Knight. And although Anakin is one of the youngest Jedi Knights on record, Vernestra Rwoh was a child prodigy within the Order two centuries before the Skywalker Saga and achieved Knighthood at 15.
Most Padawans weren’t as gifted as Rwoh, and few became Padawans at Anakin’s age. The average age when a Padawan becomes a Jedi varies. But it’s safe to say that, given Obi-Wan Kenobi’s legendary abilities, they usually rise in the rankings in their mid-20s.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in both Star Wars Canon and Legends. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.