Padawans refer to their trainers as ‘Master.’ However, this is a sign of respect, and their trainer is not always a Jedi Master. Jedi Knights can train Padawans, and it serves as a step toward the rank of Jedi Master should they successfully train their new apprentice.
There are four ranks of Jedi, including Youngling, Padawan, Knight, and Master. Luke Skywalker trained at least a dozen Padawans in Star Wars Canon, including Ben Solo and Rey.
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Can a Jedi Knight Have a Padawan?
Jedi Knights can have Padawans. Obi-Wan Kenobi is the most notable case, taking on Anakin Skywalker as a Padawan shortly after being knighted.
In Star Wars Legends, Jedi Knights, like the Masters above them, attended the Apprentice Tournament, where they could choose to work with a Padawan. Obi-Wan and Anakin were exceptions, since it was Qui-Gon Jinn’s dying wish for Obi-Wan to train Anakin.
Had Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan never stumbled across Anakin, Obi-Wan would have taken his Jedi trials before ascending to Knighthood. From there, he would have selected a Padawan based on the results of the Apprentice Tournament.
While there are no guarantees, one prerequisite for a Jedi Knight’s ascent to Jedi Master involved successfully training a Padawan to Knighthood. Once Obi-Wan became successful with Anakin, he ascended to Jedi Master.
Anakin is also a good example of a Jedi Knight taking on a Padawan. In the television series The Clone Wars, he trained Ahsoka Tano. However, Anakin did not select her via the Apprentice Tournament. Instead, Yoda assigned him to train Tano.
When Can a Jedi Take a Padawan?
Jedi can take a Padawan once they ascend to the rank of Knight. While Obi-Wan Kenobi immediately took on Anakin as a Padawan after reaching Knighthood, some Jedi Knights won’t take a Padawan so soon.
Most Jedi Knights and Masters attended the Jedi Temple Apprentice Tournament, where they could choose a Padawan to train and accompany them on missions, often for at least a decade.
Some Jedi never take on a Padawan. However, this is rare since most see it as their duty to train the next generation of Jedi.
Can a Jedi Have Two Padawans?
Jedi could only take one Padawan at a time except in rare cases. In times of war or crisis, such as when Jedi warred with the Sith, Jedi Knights and Masters could take on an unlimited amount of Padawans.
What Are the Ranks of Jedi?
There are four main ranks of Jedi: Each Jedi was taken from their parents between the ages of six months and five years and started off as Jedi Younglings. Younglings spent at least a decade in basic training before taking their trials to reach the Padawan rank.
After typically spending at least another decade as a Padawan, they ascended to the rank of Jedi Knight, before perhaps reaching the rank of Master.
Although we see mainly Jedi Knights and Masters in the movies, many Jedi wouldn’t even ascend to the Padawan rank. And even fewer completed their trials to become Knights.
Here is a breakdown of each Jedi rank.
Youngling
Once brought to the temple, Jedi Younglings separated into clans, small groups of 20 who trained under a Jedi Master, or a Grand Master, like Yoda.
During this time, Younglings lived a sheltered life and took part in foundational training that set the stage for their intended future as Padawans. They learned basic force-wielding maneuvers like meditation and lightsaber tactics.
Younglings later traveled to the snow-covered planet of Illum. A cave full of Kyber Crystals lay underground. Here, the Younglings faced their biggest weakness or shortcomings.
Most Jedi succeeded in facing their weakness. In doing so, they returned with their Kyber Crystal.
Once they received their crystal, they boarded The Crucible, and constructed their lightsaber. Soon after, Younglings faced Jedi Initiate Trials, which decided whether they advanced to Padawan.
However, only those who demonstrated the highest skill during the Initiate Trials advanced to Padawan.
Padawan
Jedi who advanced to the Padawan rank took part in an Apprentice Tournament to showcase their skills. Jedi Knights and Masters watched the tournament, talked to the Padawans’ former instructors, and decided on their apprentice.
The Padawan also had to agree to train under the Master that selected them.
For a real-world correlation, think of a sports combine, where scouts from professional sports teams watch prospects participate in various events.
In rare cases, the Jedi High Council assigned the incoming Padawan a Master. This only occurred if the Jedi showed impressive abilities, like precognition.
Also, for Jedi not selected to become apprentices, they appeared before the Council of Reassignment. Here, they moved to the Jedi Service Corps, where they aided the Jedi Order in other ways, often in agriculture, education, medicine, and exploration.
Many saw the Jedi Service Corps as undesirable. For Jedi unwilling to be reassigned, they had the option to leave the Order.
Knight
When Padawans were ready to ascend to Knighthood, they took their Jedi trials. Traditionally, the trials were more organized, often held within the Jedi Temple. However, during the events of the Skywalker Saga, the trials were less structured and often unexpected.
Examples include Obi-Wan Kenobi’s trial “slaying’ Darth Maul after the latter mortally wounded Qui-Gon Jinn. Or Luke Skywalker’s when he faced his greatest fear in the Force Cave on Dagobah.
Once the Padawan completed their trials, they appeared before the Jedi Council and underwent the knighting ceremony. Here, they removed their Padawan braid and officially became a Jedi Knight.
Just because they ascended to the rank of Knight, it didn’t mean they stopped training. If anything, their training within the Force intensified. They also chose one of three pathways: Guardian, Sentinel, or Consular. And eventually, most selected a Padawan of their own.
Guardians comprised those specializing in combat, while Consulars focused more on mediation of political affairs. The Sentinel path involved a bit of each and often placed Jedi Knights among the masses.
Master
Once a Jedi Knight successfully trained a Padawan to reach the rank of Jedi Knight, they became eligible to advance to Jedi Master. Although the Knight successfully trained a Padawan to Knighthood, it was no guarantee they would rise to this high rank.
Some Jedi Knights did not train Padawans, although most would. An alternative to reaching Jedi Master without successfully training a Padawan involved the Jedi Grand Master seeing qualities worthy of the rank, like knowledge, wisdom, and experience.
Some Jedi Knights promoted themselves during special occasions, such as in times of chaos. Given the lack of formality regarding self-promotion, this practice was often frowned upon.
The Jedi Masters made up the smallest number in the Jedi Order, and an even smaller number served on the Four Councils. Out of this small number, they chose one in the rank to become a Jedi Grand Master.
FAQs:
Did Luke Skywalker have a Padawan?
Luke attempted to rebuild the Jedi Order following the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY. Upon his attempted rebuild, Luke had many apprentices in both Canon and in Legends.
His most notable Apprentices in the Canon included his sister Leia Organa, Grogu, and Ben Solo. Following Ben’s betrayal and fall to the dark side, Luke went into exile in Ahch-To.
Despite Luke’s exile and loss of faith in the Jedi Order, he encountered Rey, who became his final apprentice in the Canon.
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.