What Makes Someone A Jedi?

Arguably the most important thing in the Star Wars universe is the Force. 

The Force is created by amalgamating all living things across the galaxy. It is also what bonds all of these living things together, whether they lie on the dark or light side. 

Despite being a natural thing, the Force can be measured based on the midi-chlorian levels residing in the person. A blood test is often done to determine this count. 

For a normal person, the midi-chlorian count is around 2,000 to 2,500 per cell. Yet there are some people whose counts are much higher than the norm. 

These individuals have a stronger inclination to the Force and are called Force-sensitive. 

Force-sensitive beings are incredibly precious in Star Wars. Their ability to potentially use the Force is highly sought after by both the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Empire.  

They often want the Force-sensitives to join the Jedi for the light side of the Force or the Sith for the dark side of the Force. 

So what exactly makes someone a Jedi? Is it force sensitivity alone? Is it a learned trait or are you born a Jedi? 

All valid questions that we would answer throughout this article. 

What makes someone a Jedi?

First and foremost, a Jedi is known as the peacekeeping guardian of the galaxy. 

The Jedi are supposed to act selflessly and use the Force to protect all life throughout the galaxy. 

They are to focus on calmness, keeping a clear mind, peace and their minds devoid of negative emotions and feelings. 

What does this mean in regards to what makes someone a Jedi? 

Well, it would be theoretically possible for a Force-user to become a Jedi once they possess the aforementioned qualities.

The Jedi are big on the drastic avoidance of anything that could lead them to the dark side. So much so they potentially have one of the sternest set of rules they have to live by. 

This is known as the Jedi Code.

On paper, if a Force-sensitive were to adhere to the teachings of the Jedi Code then that would be the thing that makes them a Jedi.

Are you born a Jedi?

Given the training and dedication that goes into becoming a Jedi, one is not simply born a Jedi. 

A person can be born with a degree of Force sensitivity; however, they aren’t just born into the Jedi Order.  

In actuality, the Jedi often seek out young Force-sensitives and recruit them. 

Those that choose to start their journey as a Jedi, are then brought into the Jedi Temple where they are trained as Padawans. 

What are Jedi skills?

Every side of the Force has a set of skills that they are trained in. These are known as Force Powers.

For instance, the Sith has Force Choke. This allows them to strangle and potentially kill their victim without touching them. 

Of course, the Jedi, being the advocates for life, have skills that are inherently less harmful but still effective. 

One such power is the well known Jedi Mind Trick. Mind trick allows for the user to infiltrate the minds of their target. From there, the Jedi can get this person to do anything they want.

This technique only works on the weak-minded so it’s relatively easy to deflect once someone learns to control their mind. 

Then there’s the Animal Bond power. This Force Power is quite similar to the Mind Trick in that it allows the Jedi to infiltrate the minds of a living being and bend them to the will of the Jedi. 

The only difference between the two is that Animal Bond only works on the beasts of the galaxy. 

This is not definitive as the Jedi have many more powers they can use. 

Apart from being trained in various Force techniques, the Jedi are also trained in hand-to-hand combat as well as how to use lightsabers correctly. 

Who is the most popular Jedi? 

Within the Star Wars communities, some Jedi have built up a reputation for themselves. 

They are somewhat of the main cast in the eyes of Star Wars fans everywhere. Without them, the Franchise wouldn’t be the same.

So without further ado, here are five of the most popular Jedi in Star Wars.

1/ Yoda

Yoda was a legendary Force-sensitive male that rose through the ranks of the Jedi Order.

While his exact species isn’t known, we know that Yoda was wise beyond his years. 

He lived through approximately nine centuries of Galactic History; needless to say, he saw some things throughout his life. 

Yoda witnessed the fast rise and ultimate crumbling of the Galactic Republic. Moreover, he trained multiple generations of Padawans and saw the rebuilding of the Jedi Order after Order 66.

Add to that his impressive power and there’s no question that Yoda deserved his title of Grand Master Yoda. 

2/ Luke Skywalker

Speaking of impressive power, Luke Skywalker was seemingly made for the role of Jedi. 

Born a Force-sensitive human male, Luke has fought valiantly since he began in the Jedi Order. 

He was one of the few Jedi who stepped over the line of light and dark temporarily but was able to remain firmly grounded in his Jedi training. 

Luke Skywalker made many important contributions to the Galaxy as a Jedi. One of the most notable was his rebuilding of the Jedi Order after the Great Jedi Purge, also known as Order 66. 

Furthermore, Luke was the one who defeated the great Darth Vader and brought his father Anakin Skywalker back to the light side. 

In addition to all this Luke also tutored some of the upcoming Jedi, like Rey.

Luke Skywalker went down in galactic history as one of the most legendary Jedi and by extension Jedi, Masters Star Wars has ever seen. 

3/ Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi was one of the first and most noteworthy Jedi in the galaxy. 

Obi-wan served as a Jedi master on the Jedi High Council. 

As a Jedi General, he fought in the Grand Army of the Republic against the Separatist Droid Army during Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Obi-wan proudly trained both Anakin and Luke Skywalker as Padawanss and they turned out to be exceptional Jedi. 

Unfortunately, he was forced into exile, succeeding the Great Jedi Purge. 

4/ Mace Windu

Seemingly in the same timeline as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu served on the Jedi High Council. 

Furthermore, he, too, served as the Jedi General in the Grand Army of the Republic. This led to him being elected the leader of the Jedi. 

He was deemed one of the greatest champions the Jedi Order has seen. 

So much so that he was tasked with preserving the Jedi traditions and practices during the uptick of the Galactic Empire. 

5/ Anakin

Of course, we can’t forget the man himself, and the father of Luke,  Anakin Skywalker.  

Anakin started his journey as one of the most impressive Padawans. He was dubbed the chosen one because of his outstanding midi-chlorian count of over 20,000 per cell.

Anakin moves from rank to rank in record time. 

So much so that he became the first, and only known, Jedi Knight who sat in on the High Council without being a Jedi Master. 

Granted he was appointed this role by Palpatine, still impressive nonetheless. 

Anakin was always a rebel; he often did things that directly violated the Jedi Code. 

Things such as forming attachments, harboring emotions, and giving in to the darkness within on a whim.

Because of this instability, Mace Windu refused to promote him to the rank of Jedi Master. 

This rejection and many other emotional factors filled Anakin with so much rage that he fully gave way to the dark side. 

Thus, becoming the Sith Lord we know all too well, Darth Vader. 

Conclusion 

The abundance of midi-chlorians within an individual’s cells makes them Force-sensitive. 

This Force sensitivity is a commodity in the galaxy that both sides of the Force want. Certainly, no one is forced to do anything they don’t want to do. 

Therefore, a Force-sensitive person can choose whether they want to be a Jedi, a Sith, a free agent, or so nothing at all with their inclination to the Force. 

Once trained, there are particular skills native to each side of the Force. Still, just because it was made for one side doesn’t mean that the other can’t make use of it also. 

These Force techniques can be used by virtually anyone who has a strong connection to the Force. Even so, the Sith don’t opt to use light side skills such as Jedi Mind Trick. 

On the other hand, the Jedi don’t usually make use of the dark side skills such as Force choke. 

The vast majority of them believe they would muddy their otherwise peaceful minds. Hence, making them more susceptible to the influences of the dark side.