The Jedi Knights are among the most distinguishable characters in Star Wars. From Obi-Wan Kenobi, to Mace Windu, to Qui-Gon Jinn, they represent the fiercest warriors in the saga.
So when do our heroes become Jedi Knights, and what does this Knighting Ceremony look like?
The Jedi start their training as younglings before a Jedi Master or Jedi Knight selects them to become Padawans.
Once they become well-versed in their training under a Knight or a Master’s supervision, they complete their Jedi Trials to become a Knight.
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When Do Jedi Become Knights?
To become a Jedi Knight, a Jedi must complete their Jedi Trials as Padawans.
Starting off as a Youngling, they train under a Grand Master such as Yoda before advancing to the Padawan stage, often beginning in their teens. As Padawans, they train under a Jedi Master or a Knight.
A good example of a Padawan training under a Jedi Master occurs in The Phantom Menace, when Obi-Wan Kenobi trains under Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon serves as a mentor to Obi-Wan throughout the film before he dies at Darth Maul’s hands.
In the film’s last scene, Anakin Skywalker becomes a Youngling, before moving to the Padawan stage at age 19 In Attack of the Clones. In that same movie, Obi-Wan has since become a Jedi Knight.
Before achieving the rank of Knight, Padawans advance to the Jedi Trials and advance through nine stages: Teamwork, isolation, fear, anger, betrayal, focus, instinct, forgiveness, and protection.
How Old to Be a Jedi?
There is no minimum age to become a Jedi. However, Force-sensitive beings are often taken to begin their Initiate Trials before they’re old enough to grow attached to their families.
During The Phantom Menace, Anakin Skywalker has this moment of hesitation before leaving his mother, Shimi. Anakin is 9 years old and, given his hesitation, it’s safe to estimate they’re taken at an even younger age.
Another scene in The Phantom Menace further backs up this estimate, showing Yoda and Qui-Gon in a disagreement about training Anakin. Yoda insists Anakin is too old, despite Qui-Gon demanding they train him given the level of his midi-chlorians.
Some fans may note inconsistencies, however.
In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda, while asserting Luke Skywalker is too old to begin Jedi training, trains him anyway following a debate with Obi-Wan’s Force ghost.
This is a contrast to the hard-nosed approach he took in Episode I. Yoda softened his approach, yet much more reluctantly. He relented only after Qui-Gon’s death and Obi-Wan’s narrow victory over Darth Maul.
However, the times were different during The Empire Strikes Back, as the Jedi Order was strong in The Phantom Menace. When The Empire Strikes Back rolled around, the Jedi Order had been extinct for decades following Order 66.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Jedi Knight?
Just like in real life, how everyone learns at different levels, the same holds true for younglings and Padawans.
Anakin Skywalker is a phenomenal example of a Padawan who, by the time Attack of the Clones rolled around, grew as powerful as many Jedi Knights. Anakin confirmed this when he insisted Obi-Wan was “holding him back.”
However, Obi-Wan was 25 in The Phantom Menace, and it wasn’t until he defeated Darth Maul did Yoda promote him to Jedi Knight.
Also, judging from Obi-Wan’s skills in The Phantom Menace and Anakin’s in Attack of the Clones, it further confirms the actual time to become a Jedi Knight varies.
Anakin achieved the rank between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, between the age of 19 and 22.
Also, Yoda implied to Luke during the Original Trilogy that he may achieve the rank of Knight after confronting Darth Vader.
Knighting Ceremony
Typically, a Padawan completes their Jedi Trials before undergoing the Knighting Ceremony that will promote them to the rank of Jedi Knight.
Once a Padawan is ready to become a Jedi Knight, they must kneel before a Jedi Master. The Master then proclaims, “By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, you [insert name] may rise.”
While issuing the proclamation, the Jedi Master places the blade of their lightsaber just above the Padawan’s shoulders.
FAQs:
Who Was the Youngest Jedi to Be Knighted?
Popular belief states Anakin Skywalker. However, this is untrue.
200 years before The Phantom Menace, Justina Ireland’s A Test of Courage tells the tale of Vernestra Rwoh, who completed her Jedi Trials at 15.
In Attack of the Clones, Anakin was 19, and he was still a Padawan. Since most younglings aren’t often chosen as Padawans until well into their teenage years, we can estimate Vernestra accomplished this feat in little time.
Some will argue that Anakin’s “Chosen One” moniker would otherwise have guaranteed him to become the youngest Jedi Knight.
However, this is a misconception. Anakin was the Chosen One to bring balance to the Force, which he accomplished upon his death as Darth Vader.
How Old was Obi-Wan When He Became a Jedi Knight?
Obi-Wan became a Jedi Knight at age 25 following his Master Qui-Gon’s death and his defeat of Darth Maul. Yoda knighted him in the closing moments of The Phantom Menace.