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Some Unknown Truth Behind Star Wars

The extremely beloved movies formed into the saga known as Star Wars
created by the famous George Lucas are known by millions to have amazing story lines
and unforgettable characters. Even though each Star Wars movie was not released in
chronological order throughout the years as it would have made sense to, its story lines
still captured numerous audiences and continues to create an interest in thousands of
viewers today. The immense popularity of this saga has lead to many of its hardcore fans
to discover and expand on the true messages and meanings behind George Lucass films.
With this being true, many have dedicated a lot of their time and effort to create blogs,
papers, and articles elaborating on the different messages that each Star Wars movie
holds. It is shown throughout this saga that the usage of religion, specifically Christianity,
along with a strong influence of historical background from different time periods of the
world have been used to better George Lucass vision of the making of Star Wars. This
paper will talk about the two particular themes that have been founded within these
movies. These specific themes have been used to help the story lines become more
interesting and relatable to its viewers that will be defined throughout this paper.
The usage of Christianity is clearly shown throughout many of the movies that
make up the Star Wars saga. One of the most popular sayings used within Star Wars is
the quote, May the force be with you. The force being this all powerful and everlasting
being or spirit that supposedly brings a sense of goodness, strength, and peace. The actual
definition of the force from the Star Wars Encyclopedia by Stephen J. Sansweet states,
The force is both a natural and mystical presence, it is an energy field that both suffuses

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and binds the entire galaxy. The force is generated by all living things, surrounding and
penetrating them with its essence. Like most forms of energy, the Force can be
manipulated, and it is the knowledge and predisposition to do so that empowers the Jedi
Knights and the Dark Jedi. For there are two sides to the force. The light side bestows
great knowledge, peace, and inner serenity (1).With Christianity the light side of the
force can easily be identified with the usage of faith. With the idea of the force and the
belief of faith both are known to be an intangible substance that is also extremely
powerful and used mostly in times of struggle or sorrow. Faith being brought by an allpowerful being of God, the force can be brought by the belief behind the purpose of the
Jedi. A passage from the Bible that better describes this particular faith comes from
Isaiah 40:29-31 that states, He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the
weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who
hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they
will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (2).This particular passage
expresses faith that is shown through the power of God who gives his true believers this
type of mental strength through tough times. This relates to the saying of, may the force
be with you because with the force resulting in the idea of faith, it can give the person a
sense of courage to push onward due to a bigger purpose in life other than themselves
with the belief of protection from a higher source along the way. The idea of the force
can also give the person incredible strength simply through trusting in it.
Another religion that can be related to the usage of the force throughout Star Wars
is Buddhism. Through the power of the force many of the Jedi Knights that have been
killed are shown through various Star Wars films to appear again in the form of a blue

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transparent spirit. This new living spirit seems to the theory of reincarnation that is held
within the religion of Buddhism. A reincarnation theory online source says,
Reincarnation is the concept that the soul, or some aspect of the soul, is reborn into new
lives. Depending on the religion or philosophy, the soul can appear incarnate in humans,
animals or plants as it works its way toward an eventual escape from the cycle of birth,
death and rebirth. Most religions that believe in reincarnation consid-er it the path to
purity and salvation (5). Through Star Wars it seems as if George Lucas focuses on the
rebirth of a soul from death that cycles back in to a new form of a spirit. A perfect
example of the appearance of these reborn spirits is in the end of Return Of The Jedi. In
this scene the planet of Endor is celebrating with Luke, Han, and Leia when suddenly the
spiritual form of Yoda, Obiwan Kenobi, and recently added to the trilogy, young Anakin
Skywalker appear through the power of the force.
The usage of Christianity and some of its beliefs are also used within the
characters of Star Wars. As known by many Christians and also non-believers, the Son of
God, Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary. A bible verse from Luke 1:34-35
explains, And Mary said to the angel, How will this be, since I am a virgin? And the
angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most
High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holythe Son of
God (3). This passage explains that Mary herself became impregnated with the Son of
God by the Holy Spirit and not by a human male. In the Star Wars saga it is briefly
explained that Shmi Skywalker had a virgin conception of Anakin Skywalker. With Mary
in the bible being the only woman known to give a virgin birth it is clear that this
example of Shmi Skywalker also performing a virgin birth relates to this particular

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Christian belief. The idea of Anakin Skywalker being born of a virgin such as Jesus was
but only to turn into the evil Sith lord known as Darth Vader instead of pure good such as
Jesus was viewed as has created a conspiracy with many Star Wars fans.
Along with the religious references the Star Wars saga also holds a strong usage
of historical background from many different time periods of the world. These references
that George Lucas made throughout the entirety of his films can be seen behind different
costume designs and the names of some of the characters themselves. These specific
historical references have been made by George Lucas to fill a sort of purpose that he
wanted to own up to in his films. Historical references such as the usage of tactics and
weapons from World War II have been transformed to fit the Star Wars vision. A writer
from a popular Star Wars book titled The Magic of Myth states; The trilogys Galactic
Empire was also influenced by real-life cultural concerns, capturing a cross section of
images and attitudes from the history surrounding its creation. Lucas was born at the end
of World War II and grew up in its aftermath. The Nazi concentration camps revealed all
to clearly that humans could inflict the worst possible horror upon other humans, and the
use of the atom bomb demonstrated that we could wipe ourselves out without any help
from space invaders. In Star Wars, the Death star can be viewed as the ultimate nuclear
weapon, and the look of the Imperial Army is clearly influenced by the Nazis (4). This
powerful passage shows how George Lucas wanted to use the history in which he grew
up in with living in the after math of World War II and formulate it into his work to show
a deeper meaning to his audiences. Another fact that not many people know about Star
Wars is the meaning behind Storm Troopers. This specific name was used in World War
II that identified Nazi soldiers and was a well-known term used by everyone during that

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time period. These soldiers were always armed and came in large numbers who only took
orders from Hitler who was the highest power during this time period. This correlates
with the Storm Troopers in the Star Wars films because there are literally millions of
troopers who all strictly follow the order of a Sith ruler at all times.
The intricate costuming of many different characters also proves the theme of
historical references that are used to better George Lucass vision of Star Wars. For
example, it is shown through the costuming behind the Jedi Knights of a far eastern
influence in their attire. The writer from the Star Wars fan book, The Magic of Myth
also says, Lucas expressed his interest in feudal Japan to artist Ralph McQuarrie when
he asked him to come up with the first renderings of the Star Wars look and even offered
images of samurai warriors for inspiration. Many of McQuarries drawings and paintings,
especially for costumes, show this influence. Both McQuarrie and Mollo wanted the Jedi
to have a medical European look, and the hooded robe that Ben, Luke, and the emperor
wear is derived from a monks garb in order to highlight the Jedi spiritual association (4).
This quote definitely describes the heavy influence feudal Japans wardrobe and
religion had on the making of Star Wars. It is also known that the character of master
Yoda was made to resemble a Taoist sage with wearing Japanese kimono like robes.
George Lucas seemed to really admire a lot of older Japanese culture that is shown
throughout the wardrobes of both of his characters Darth Vader and Pademe Amildala.
Queen Amidalas exquisite headpieces and pale white make up set with dark red lips
shows a more modern and futuristic style to the traditional old style of a Japanese geisha.
The pale white makeup of a geisha would be worn to show purity, which fits perfectly
with Queen Amidalas character. Darth Vaders famous dark and intimidating helmet

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also resembles a Japanese soldiers helmet used in the feudal time period. The writer of
the same Star Wars fan book elaborates on the history behind Vaders helmet by stating,
Lucas told McQuarrie that he wanted Darth Vader to look like a dark lord riding on the
wind with black flowing robes, large helmet like that of the Japanese samurai, and a silk
mask covering his face (4). It seems that a lot of historical detail was performed
throughout the making of Darth Vaders helmet. Another quote mentioning the same
topic behind Vaders mask illustrates, Samurai warriors of the upper ranks usually wore
a memo-a mask of iron, steel, and lacquered leather to protect the face. These facemasks
were often molded into the visage of a demon, ghost, or animal to make them more
fearsome. Vaders threatening mask, like that if the TIE fighter pilot, certainly has the
same effect (4). Both of these examples show how heavy of an influence the history of
far eastern style and fashion sense had on the clothing of George Lucass main characters
to suit his important vision.
The importance behind the two themes of the usage of religion along with the
heavy influence of historical background from many different time periods of the world
are definitely shown throughout George Lucass work with Star Wars. With all of the
evidence provided throughout this paper it is clear to see why George Lucas decided to
use the many ideas that were made behind religion and history to help define his dream
and better his story line of the popular and extremely famous saga movies. Although
there are many other examples of themes in the making behind Star Wars it is now
evident that these two particular themes are what helped make Star Wars the success that
it is today.

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Works Cited
1. Sansweet, Stephen J. Star Wars Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Ballantine Pub.
Group, 1998. 104-05. Print.
2. "Isaiah 40:29-31 (New International Version)." Bible Study Tools Online. Quotations
Designated (NIV) Are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION,
n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
3. Luke 1:34-35 (New International Version)." Bible Study Tools Online. Quotations
Designated (NIV) Are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION,
n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
4. Henderson, Mary S. Star Wars: The Magic of Myth. Vol. 1. New York: Bantam, 1997.
Print.
5. Dowdey, Sarah. "How Reincarnation Works." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec.
2013. <http://www.howstuffworks.com/reincarnation.htm>.