Affectionately known as the Palace of the Jedi, the Jedi Temple was the headquarters of the Jedi Order. The temple contained housing for the Padawans, Jedi Knights, and Jedi Masters alike.
Between the timeframe of the Great Sith War and the Great Jedi Purge, the Palace of the Jedi was used for training and important bureaucratic meetings between the order and other chief personnel.
The Jedi Temple was cooperatively owned by both the Jedi and the Galactic Republic. Due to how sacred the Temple was, only the Jedi and their allies were the only ones granted access to it.
Tragically the Temple was overthrown by the Galactic Empire and the Declaration of a New Order.
Later on in the Franchise, Luke Skywalker led the newly rehabilitated Order. That action prompted the rebuilding of the Temple.
Now, I know what you may be thinking, how did the Temple get destroyed? Weren’t there any guards? Well, there were Temple Guards; however, they also got bested by the empire.
Not to fear, further explanation of this occurrence will be given as the article progresses.
Table of Contents
How Strong are Jedi Temple Guards?
The Jedi Temple Guards were more skilled in their craft than most people realized.
The Temple Guards could hold their own against multiple mid to high-level Knights and other Force users.
Not only that but, in theory, they were capable of defending themselves against the advances of someone as strong as a Jedi Master.
Granted, they would often require help from other guards, security persons, and other troops in that case. Even so, it’s still an impressive feat that not everyone could boast about.
Are Jedi Temple Guards Force-sensitive?
This is one of those questions that are easy to answer. Jedi Temple Guards are, in fact, Force-sensitive.
Once given some thought, this makes much sense.
First and foremost, the Jedi Temple Guards are lightsaber wielders. This alone proves that they must be Force-sensitive as a non-Force user cannot, in essence, use a lightsaber.
While there are some non-Force-sensitive, lightsaber users, like Grievous, they are noticeably a lot weaker in battle than someone who has the ability and skill set to use the Force.
Furthermore, the Jedi Temple Guards would be fundamentally useless if they did not have some inkling regarding the Force.
If they were just regular, non-Force acclimated people then any and every Force user would be able to defeat them with ease.
By extension, the Temple would be painfully easy to infiltrate.
Are the Temple Guards Jedi?
All working under the iron fist-like ruling of the head of security, Cin Drallig, the Jedi Temple Guards were plucked from various ranks of the Jedi Order.
While the selection was completely anonymous, it was almost a right of passage for some Jedi to serve as a Temple Guard during their life as Knights.
This is all a part of their ongoing allegiance to the Jedi Order. Needless to say, Jedi Temple Guards were Jedi Knights.
What weapons do Jedi Temple Guards use?
Being a Jedi Knight, or former Jedi Knight means that the Jedi Temple Guards were quite familiar with the workings of a lightsaber.
That being the case, they continued with what they knew and had used a variation of the traditional lightsaber as their weapon of choice.
This weapon is known as the lightsaber pike. The lightsaber pike is a modification of the original lightsaber that is not dissimilar to the double-bladed lightsaber.
Each end of the staff produced two yellow plasma blades In this weapon. This staff-shaped weapon had variants within itself.
Some of the lightsaber pikes had a handle that would emit a Shoto Blade. This blade made the entire weapon two to three meters long. There was even a hinged version of the lightsaber pike.
Giving the Temple Guards plenty of options.
FAQs
As we all know, the Star Wars fandom is a very passionate, inquisitive bunch. We are filled to the brim with excitement, unwavering appreciation for the craft, and most of all, questions.
Tons and tons of questions. Many of these questions are about the most mind-boggling group in the Franchise. That is, none other than the Jedi.
One factor of their organization that seems to be shrouded in mystery is the Jedi Temple Guards. While there is information known about them, there is still a lot that’s left to be told.
So without further ado, here is the answer to one of the most commonly asked questions.
Did any Jedi Temple Guards survive?
During the onset of the Purge of the Jedi, more commonly known as Order 66, the Jedi Temple was infiltrated and completely obliterated.
All the Jedi residing there tried their hardest to protect their home but it would appear as though their efforts were in vain.
The Jedi Temple Guards were supposed to act as the first line of defense against any attack.
Given that fact, it would be safe to say that they received the brunt of the attack. This attack led to the near extinction of the entire Jedi Order.
Of course, this includes the Jedi Temple Guards. It’s a common perception that most of the Temple Guards were taken out by the Dark Lord himself, Darth Vader, and known to his previous Jedi brothers as Anakin Skywalker.
Those who did not die ended up abandoning their posts. Understandably so.
Conclusion
The Jedi Temple was a safe haven for all those in the Jedi Order and by extension their allies and other backers. It was a place where they trained, slept, ate, and bonded with the Force.
This Temple was a sacred domain for the development of the peacekeepers and the growth of the believers of the light side of the Force. As you might expect, something as precious as this would need protecting.
This is where the Temple Guards came in. They were not strangers, they were Jedi that decided to dedicate their lives to the protection of the Temple they called home.
When the Temple was threatened and ultimately ceased, some of the guards put forth a valiant effort. They even lost their lives as a result.
The others were understandably overwhelmed and chose to, instead, deserted their posts.
Naturally, there was backlash for this, and those guards ended up being exiled for their actions.
This is similar to any position of power, military standing, or a post where you’re held accountable for other people in our world.