The idea of a ‘Gray Jedi’ has proven very popular in theStar Warsfanbase, but the non-canon concept remains highly controversial nonetheless. ThroughoutStar Warsmovies and TV shows, there have been a number of Jedi who haven’t adhered entirely to the Jedi code. Such Jedi include Qui-Gon Jinn, who went against the Jedi Council time and again, and Quinlan Vos, who had a complex history with the light and dark side of the Force.
There are two lines of thought when it comes to Gray Jedi.This term can mean a Jedi who doesn’t adhere to the expectations of the Jedi Order, or it can refer to a Force-user who toes the line between the light and the dark side of the Force. This notion is compelling, especially because many ofStar Wars’most powerful Jedido have a history of bending (or breaking) the rules. Even so, the idea of a Gray Jedi isn’t part ofStar Warscanon, no doubt in part because of the controversy that goes along with the term.
What Is A “Gray Jedi” & Where Does The Idea Come From?
As mentioned, the notion of a Gray Jedi can really be broken down into two concepts. The term refers to either a Jedi who has their own interpretation of the Jedi code or a Force-user who dabbles in both the light side and the dark side of the Force, such as Baylan Skoll seemed to in theAhsokashow.The term Gray Jedi has its roots inStar WarsLegends, which at times made direct reference to Gray Jedi.
After Disney purchased the rights toStar Wars, this term was removed from the canon. Both the term and the decision to relegate the concept to Legends make sense. On the one hand, there are a number of Jedi who have a complicated relationship with the Jedi Order or specifically the Jedi Council, as was depicted throughout the prequel trilogy and the Clone Wars era more broadly. Because of this, it’s understandable that the idea would come about. The term ultimately does undercut what it is to be a Jedi, however, which is precisely why Gray Jedi are not canon.
The term ultimately does undercut what it is to be a Jedi, however, which is precisely why Gray Jedi are not canon.
The Jedi Order Is Based Upon Its Firm Morals & Light Side Alignment
The Jedi Order is not a perfect institution, nor are all the Jedi themselves perfect. The prequel trilogy alone made that clear. Not only are there a number of fallen Jedi, among them Anakin Skywalker, Count Dooku, and Barriss Offee, to name just a few, but also, even the ‘good’ Jedi dabbled in behavior that, typically, would be seen as aligned with the dark side of the Force. Mace Windu was a great example of that.
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Mace’s lightsaber fighting form, Vaapad, which he created himself, permitted the user to tap into their passion and their negative emotions, not unlike Sith fighting forms. With Vaapad, the user still managed to avoid fully leaning into their anger, but it nevertheless clearly toed the line. Because of this potentially dangerous nature of the form, few used it. Mace also fiercely advocated for the assassination of Count Dooku inStar Wars: Dark Disciple, written by Christie Golden, which is counter to the Jedi way.
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Despite the Jedi Order’s flaws and the fallen Jedi, though,the Jedi’s values are clear: they are aligned with the light side of the Force. For the Jedi, this alignment is exclusively on the light side; there’s no ambiguity about that. After all,the Chosen One prophecyforetold a being who would bring balance to the Force, and the Jedi interpreted that to mean destroying the Sith. Even with Jedi at times making decisions that seemed counter to that, the Jedi ideology never changed.
One of the most popular examples of a Gray Jedi for those who support the concept is Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s former master. ThroughoutStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon proved to be very obstinate, particularly when it came to listening to the Jedi Council. He more or less said he would train Anakin Skywalker no matter what the Jedi said, and Obi-Wan had to ask that he not defy the Council"again,“making it clear that this was a recurrent problem.
“Qui-Gon’s rebellious spirit doesn’t mean he isn’t a Jedi or that he doesn’t agree with and follow the Jedi Order’s morals.”
Qui-Gon’s rebellious spirit doesn’t mean he isn’t a Jedi or that he doesn’t agree with and follow the Jedi Order’s morals, though. Yes, Qui-Gon was defiant (as Master Yoda himself pointed out), but he was clearly still on the light side of the Force—he was still a Jedi.The very notion of a Gray Jedi is in fact a contradiction because the Jedi were committed exclusively to the light side of the Force. Qui-Gon may have been difficult to manage, to be sure, but he was firmly on the light side.
Many Believe That Gray Jedi Are A Misunderstanding Of Balance In The Force
The notion of balance in the Force has long been a confusing one. The Jedi clearly believe balance is the destruction of the Sith, and presumably the dark side along with them, but other beings inStar Warshave thrown that into question.The Mortis Godsare an excellent example of that, as, inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, it was revealed that the Son represented the dark side, the Daughter represented the light, and the Father kept the two in balance. Had the true definition of balance been the extinguishing of the dark, this dynamic would make no sense.
Had the true definition of balance been the extinguishing of the dark, this dynamic would make no sense.
TheStar Warssequel trilogy also made clear thatthe dark will rise to meet the light and vice versa. That is, the Force will work to keep itself in balance. Even so, this doesn’t mean the Jedi themselves are meant to tap into both the light and dark side. The Jedi are meant to embody the light side of the Force, in a way quite similar to the Daughter, and the notion of Gray Jedi undercuts that.
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The idea of a Gray Jedi truly is a fascinating one, particularly in light of how complex many Jedi are and the fact that the Jedi Order was certainly not without its issues. Nevertheless, the concept is just too contradictory when it comes to the nature of the Jedi. At the end of the day, the Jedi are aligned with the light side of the Force, which is no doubt whyStar Warsultimately decided to remove the notion of a Gray Jedi from the canon.
