WhenThe Mandalorianseason 3 came to an end, things felt very final, even beforeStar Warshad made or announced the decision to move forward withThe Mandalorian and Grogumoviein lieu of season 4. After flying around the galaxy to avoid bounty hunters and find the Jedi, spending at least several months apart, and then helpingBo-Katan Kryzeto reclaim Mandalore, Din Djarin and Grogu finally earned the one thing neither of them have ever truly had: peace.
This was reflected inThe Mandalorianseason 3’s ending, although it seemed not only bittersweet, but also somewhat out of place. Din Djarin and Grogu are relaxing outside their cabin on Nevarro together despite the fact they have just received a brand-new call to adventure by working under-the-table for Captain Carson Teva and theNew Republicrangers. This moment of reflection, however, isn’t just a way to wrap a neat bow on this chapter’s ending. Instead, it hearkens back to Mandalorian lore from 19 years ago.
Din Djarin & Grogu’s Ending Portrays The Mandalorian Practice Of Aay’Han
A Bittersweet Moment Of Peace
Although much of the Mandalorians' cultural lore inStar Warscanon remains surprisingly underdeveloped, theStar WarsLegends continuitycontains plenty of fascinating aspects of Mandalorian culture, one of which is their language of Mando’a. While it still exists in canon, it’s not nearly as widespread, which has made many Mando’a-aligned Mandalorian rituals something of old. There is one, however, that Din Djarin and Grogu practice inThe Mandalorianseason 3’s ending:aay’han.
There is a single Mando’a word, aay’han, which describesthe state of mind when Mandalorians savor a peaceful moment with family and comrades and also grieve for those who’ve died. The nearest Basic translation is “bittersweet,” but it hardly comes close to defining what a significant concept it is for Mandalorians. The emotion’s duality is very much in keeping with a people who are a mass of contradictions.
This lore, derived from the 2006 release ofStar Wars Insider#86, describes theaay’hanritual that Mandalorians would often take part in after a battle. Thisaay’hanpractice is directly reflected in the way Din Djarin and Grogu end their story inThe Mandalorianseason 3.The duo take some time to themselves in their new home to not only be together, but to also remember those they lost in the battle for Mandalore, such as Paz Vizsla, and perhaps even those from long before - like the Ugnaught, Kuiil.
Star Wars Needs To Make More Of These Mandalorian Practices Canon
They Add Such Fascinating Layers To Mandalorian Culture
It’s both touching and thrilling to know thatThe Mandalorianmade use of such a deep-cut Mandalorian practice asaay’han, but this is also a sign thatStar Warsneeds to keep reintroducing more of these Mandalorian rituals, especially Mando’a itself.The language has hardly been touched byStar Wars, only briefly heard in live-action when the Armorer counted to four for Din Djarin during hisDarksabertraining on the Glavis Ringworld. There’s so much cultural richness in that language that ought to be utilized in canon.
Star Wars' Mandalorian Timeline & History Explained
As the greatest warriors in the Star Wars galaxy, Mandalorians have a rich and expanding history, and this is their full timeline in canon explained.
As Din Djarin continues to teach Grogu the Way of the Mand’alor during his apprentice journeys,Star Warsis presented with an opportunity to continue using more of these Mandalorian practices. While not everything necessarily needs to be adapted, as there’s plenty of Mandalorian lore to pick through, it would be wonderful to see more moments like these in future stories. At leastThe Mandalorian, should its TV run truly be over, has ended on a perfectly bittersweet Mandalorian-based note.
