Universe of Star Wars

George Lucas began developing the Star Wars universe in the early 1970s, intending to create a narrative influenced by classical mythology and set within a large, structured fictional galaxy.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Christopher |date=2015-12-17 |title=The Real History That Inspired 'Star Wars' |url=https://www.history.com/articles/the-real-history-that-inspired-star-wars |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}{{cite journal |last=Allen |first=David OSB |date=2023 |title=This is the Way: Christian Asceticism Alive in the Star Wars Universe |url=https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1287&context=obsculta |journal=Obsculta |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=254–262 |access-date=21 May 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=James Cooray |date=2017-05-25 |title=Starting Star Wars: How George Lucas came to create a galaxy |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2017/05/starting-star-wars-how-george-lucas-came-create-galaxy |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}} He drew from the work of Joseph Campbell on hero archetypes, as well as comparative mythology and philosophical systems such as Taoism and Buddhism, to establish the metaphysical concept of the Force and its dichotomy between light and dark sides.{{harvnb|Nusz|2012|p=1}}{{cite book |url=https://www.cambridgescholars.com/resources/pdfs/978-1-5275-7144-0-sample.pdf |title=The Light and Dark Sides of Star Wars |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |year=2023 |editor-last=Serter |editor-first=S. Serhat |pages=1–23 |access-date=21 May 2025}} To visualize the setting, Lucas collaborated with concept artists Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston, who produced design work featuring alien environments, archaic starships, and deteriorated urban landscapes.{{Cite web |last=babrams |date=2016-03-15 |title=Check out This Gorgeous Star Wars: The Force Awakens Concept Art |url=https://www.motionpictures.org/2016/03/check-out-gorgeous-star-wars-force-awakens-concept-art/#:~:text=Since%20Industrial%20Light%20&%20Magic's%20inception,Star%20Wars:%20The%20Force%20Awakens. |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Motion Picture Association |language=en-US}} The visual approach of a "used future" aesthetic presents technology and locations as worn, utilitarian, and consistently inhabited.{{Cite web |last=Sherlock |first=Ben |date=2021-03-20 |title=The 'Used Future' Of Star Wars Changed Science Fiction |url=https://gamerant.com/star-wars-used-future-changed-science-fiction/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} The early development incorporated cultural layering and technological inconsistency, elements used to support the depiction of a complex fictional universe.{{harvnb|Patell|2021|p=|pp=16-19}}{{harvnb|Lamster|2013|p=|pp=235-238}}{{Cite web |date=2019-12-19 |title=How Star Wars Revolutionized Entertainment |url=https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/how-star-wars-revolutionized-entertainment?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=airandspace.si.edu |language=en}}

The expansion of the Star Wars universe beyond the original films began largely in the 1980s and 1990s through licensed novels, comics, sourcebooks, and games, collectively referred to as the Star Wars Expanded Universe (EU). These works added new characters, planets, events, and timelines, and were produced under a continuity framework managed by Lucas Licensing.{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=2020-08-14 |title=How the Star Wars Expanded Universe Was Born |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-expanded-universe-was-born-eu |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Droege |first=DB |date=January 4, 2013 |title=The future of Star Wars comics under Disney |url=https://www.tgdaily.com/entertainment/games/68306-the-future-of-star-wars-comics-under-disney/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041629/https://www.tgdaily.com/entertainment/games/68306-the-future-of-star-wars-comics-under-disney/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=January 6, 2013 |publisher=TG Daily}} While Lucas acknowledged aspects of the EU, he did not regard it as part of the central canon.{{Cite web |last=Ruete |first=Borja |date=2024-06-21 |title=George Lucas did not consider the Star Wars Expanded Universe canon: "I haven't read any of the novels. I don't know anything about that world" |url=https://en.as.com/meristation/news/george-lucas-did-not-consider-the-star-wars-expanded-universe-canon-i-havent-read-any-of-the-novels-i-dont-know-anything-about-that-world-n/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Meristation |language=en-us}} Following Disney’s 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm, the narrative structure of the franchise was reorganized. In 2014, Lucasfilm rebranded the Expanded Universe as Star Wars Legends, designating those works as non-canonical. A new unified canon was introduced, beginning with the six original films, the 2008 television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and all subsequent material produced under the direction of the Lucasfilm Story Group.{{cite news |last=McMilian |first=Graeme |date=April 25, 2014 |title=Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for Star Wars Expanded Universe |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830203115/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=November 13, 2015 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |title=The Legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe Turns a New Page |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508200041/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |archive-date=2025-05-08 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=StarWars.com |language=en}} The new canon was intended to maintain consistency across media formats, including film, television, publishing, and interactive platforms. Concepts and characters from the Legends continuity have been selectively reintroduced in updated forms within the current canon.{{cite web |last=Siegel |first=Lucas |date=February 20, 2017 |title=Star Wars: Dave Filoni Explains George Lucas and Lucasfilm's Relationship with Legends |url=http://comicbook.com/starwars/2017/02/20/star-wars-lucasfilm-legends-expanded-universe-george-lucas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226235741/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2017/02/20/star-wars-lucasfilm-legends-expanded-universe-george-lucas/ |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |access-date=February 24, 2017 |publisher=ComicBook.com}}

The galaxy depicted in Star Wars is a barred spiral galaxy estimated to span over 120,000 light-years in diameter, comprising millions of habitable star systems.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=|pp=ix-4}} Its structure is divided into several concentric regions that determine levels of technological development, political control, and cultural influence.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|pp=3-6}}{{harvnb|Hidalgo|2012|p=36}} These regions, from the innermost to outermost, include the Deep Core, Core Worlds, Colonies, Inner Rim, Expansion Region, Mid Rim, Outer Rim Territories, Wild Space, and the Unknown Regions.{{harvnb|Wallace|1998|pp=xiv-xvii}} Each region plays a distinct role in the political and economic dynamics of the galaxy, with the Core Worlds—such as Coruscant and Corellia—serving as major hubs of commerce and government.{{Harvnb|Wallace|1998|pp=60-64}}{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|pp=51-52|p=}} In addition to regional delineations, the galaxy is subdivided into sectors, subsectors, and systems for administrative and navigational purposes.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=8}} Sectors—such as the Seswenna Sector or the Kanz Sector—are composed of multiple star systems and often governed by a moff or senator, depending on the galactic government in power. This multi-tiered hierarchy supports localized governance and military deployment, particularly in the vast expanses of the Mid Rim and Outer Rim.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|pp=8-11}}File:Galaxymap_p1.svgThe galactic capital, Coruscant, located in the Core Worlds near the galactic center, historically functions as the governing seat for major galactic governments including the Galactic Republic, Galactic Empire, New Republic, and Galactic Federation of Free Alliances throughout much of the Star Wars timeline. The Core is connected to the rest of the galaxy through established hyperspace routes—navigable corridors through the galaxy’s gravitational wells and stellar hazards. These routes, such as the Corellian Run, Hydian Way, and Perlemian Trade Route, enable safe and efficient travel and have historically dictated the rise of trade centers and political alliances.{{harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|pp=13-14}} Beyond the Outer Rim lies Wild Space, a partially charted frontier, and the Unknown Regions, a vast and largely unexplored expanse marked by navigational anomalies, gravitational distortions, and the absence of established hyperlanes. These areas serve as narrative frontiers for new threats and civilizations, such as the Chiss Ascendancy and remnants of the Sith Empire.{{harvnb|Lewis|2006|p=36}}{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|pp=218-220}}{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|pp=31-33}}

{{Main article|List of Star Wars planets and moons}}The Star Wars film saga features a wide range of fictional planets and moons that function as primary locations for key events across the galaxy and franchise storylines. Each celestial body is defined by distinct environmental and geopolitical characteristics.

Tatooine is a desert planet located in the Outer Rim Territories of the galaxy, orbiting a binary star system.{{cite web |title=Tatooine |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/tatooine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203031540/http://www.starwars.com/databank/tatooine |archive-date=3 February 2017 |access-date=9 May 2017 |website=StarWars.com |publisher=Lucasfilm}} It is depicted as a remote, arid world with harsh climatic conditions, limited water resources, and minimal political influence on galactic affairs.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=105}} The planet serves as the birthplace of Anakin Skywalker and the childhood home of Luke Skywalker, thereby occupying a significant position within the overarching narrative of the saga. Tatooine's surface is characterized by expansive dune seas, rocky canyons, and isolated moisture farming communities that utilize atmospheric condensers to extract water. Major settlements include Mos Eisley, a spaceport known for its criminal underworld activity, and Mos Espa, a trade hub noted for hosting podracing events. Indigenous species include the nomadic Tusken Raiders and the scavenging Jawas, both of whom have adapted to the planet's extreme environment.{{Harvnb|Wallace|1998|pp=176-177}}

The landscape George Lucas chose to depict in Tatooine scenes was largely based on real-world geographical features. Southern Tunisia’s semi-arid and desert climate provided a suitable environment for filming, representing the planet’s harsh conditions. Several key scenes involving Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s early lives were shot in this region, and the film sets have since become notable cultural landmarks in Tunisia.{{Cite web |title=Discover the Real and Imagined Cities of Luke Skywalker's Tatooine |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/star-wars-tunisia-film-locations-180960144/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}} Tunisia is also the namesake of the planet Tatooine. Although George Lucas initially intended to name the planet Utapau, he changed it during the filming of Episode IV upon realizing the name was similar to that of a female character in Star Trek. The planet was subsequently named after the Tunisian city of Tataouine, which served as a base for Lucas and his crew during production. George Lucas used three Tunisian ksour—fortified Berber granaries—in and around the city of Tataouine to represent the slave quarters featured in the Star Wars prequel films. These included Ksar Hadada, Ksar Ouled Soltane, and the ksar of Medenine.{{Harvnb|Jacobs|Morris|2001|p=319}} {{Dual image

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Alderaan is situated in the Core Worlds region of the galaxy, characterized by temperate climate zones and developed urban infrastructure.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=38}} The planet holds political significance within the Galactic Republic and later the Galactic Senate during a large portion of the fictional timeline, and is the homeworld of Princess Leia Organa. In 0 BBY, Alderaan is destroyed by the Death Star’s superlaser during the events of Episode IV - A New Hope, resulting in complete planetary annihilation. Yavin 4, a terrestrial moon of the gas giant Yavin located in the Outer Rim Territories, is covered by dense tropical rainforests and ancient Massassi ruins.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=112}} It functioned as the primary Rebel Alliance military base during the Galactic Civil War. The Battle of Yavin, which occurred in 0 BBY, was launched from this location and concluded with the destruction of the first Death Star.

Hoth is an ice-covered planet situated in the Outer Rim Territories, featuring extensive glaciation and subzero temperatures.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|pp=112–113}}{{cite journal |author=Staff |date=October 28, 2010 |title=The Worlds of Star Wars: Hoth |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/photogalleries/starwarsgalaxy/photo5.html |url-status=dead |journal=National Geographic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050610013820/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/photogalleries/starwarsgalaxy/photo5.html |archive-date=June 10, 2005 |access-date=November 21, 2014}} The planet hosted Echo Base, a concealed Rebel Alliance outpost that was assaulted by Imperial forces during the Battle of Hoth in 3 ABY, leading to a Rebel tactical withdrawal.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=66}} Endor, a forested moon orbiting a gas giant in the Outer Rim Territories and located in the binary Endor system, is characterized by dense temperate forests and inhabited by the indigenous Ewok species. It contained a shield generator installation protecting the second Death Star. The Battle of Endor in 4 ABY involved a Rebel assault on this installation, facilitating the destruction of the Death Star.{{harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=58}} Dagobah is a remote swamp planet with dense forests and wetlands, used as the exile location of Jedi Master Yoda during the Galactic Civil War.{{harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=54}} Naboo is a terrestrial planet situated in the Chommell sector of the Mid Rim, characterized by its vast grassland plains, dense swamps, and underwater oceanic systems. It features a dual-ecology, supporting both surface-dwelling humans and the aquatic Gungan species.{{harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|pp=|p=82}}{{Cite web |last=McCoy |first=Joshua Kristian |date=2024-04-08 |title=Star Wars: The Gungan Species, Explained |url=https://gamerant.com/star-wars-gungan-species-explained/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} The planet's capital, Theed, is known for its classical architecture and governmental functions. Naboo is notable in the Star Wars prequel trilogy as the site of the Invasion of Naboo in Episode I: The Phantom Menace and as the homeworld of Padmé Amidala and Emperor Palpatine.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=110}} The planet holds strategic political relevance within the Galactic Republic during the early stages of the Clone Wars.

During the production of the original Star Wars film, George Lucas created early notes outlining potential settings for future installments. Among the listed concepts were a "gaseous planet with a floating city," a "Wookie planet," and an "ice planet." The gaseous planet concept was later developed into Bespin, featuring Cloud City located in its upper atmosphere. The ice planet concept evolved into Hoth, which served as a primary setting in The Empire Strikes Back.{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Gabran James |date=2021-06-27 |title=Star Wars: The Story Of How Hoth Came To Be Is As Cool As The Actual Planet |url=https://gamerant.com/star-wars-story-hoth-came-cool-actual-planet/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} The depiction of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back presented significant production challenges. George Lucas envisioned the planet as a "very hostile" environment with strong winds and cold temperatures, and proposed an underground Rebel base concealed beneath snow-covered terrain. To achieve the desired visual aesthetic, the production team searched for a suitable filming location and ultimately selected Finse, a mountain village in Norway, in the spring of 1978. The area featured expansive glacial landscapes and provided necessary logistical accommodations, including a railway connection and hotel facilities for cast and crew. Although the initial shoot was scheduled for three weeks, production in Finse extended to over eight weeks due to adverse weather conditions and other complications.

Astrophysical phenomena in the Star Wars galaxy impose significant constraints on space travel in various franchise storylines.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=|pp=11-13}} The Maw Cluster, a region near the Core Worlds characterized by multiple black holes, presents extreme gravitational forces that distort space and pose severe risks to starships.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=11}}{{Cite web |last=Hardwick |first=Ben |date=2022-03-23 |title=What’s at the Center of Star Wars’ Galaxy? |url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-galaxy-center-black-hole/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=CBR |language=en}} This location is prominently featured in Solo: A Star Wars Story as a notable navigational obstacle that surrounds the Kessel Run, a hyperspace route connecting the planet Kessel to the Core Worlds.{{Cite web |last=Mithaiwala |first=Mansoor |date=2018-05-26 |title=Thanks To Solo, The Kessel Run Finally Makes Sense |url=https://screenrant.com/solo-star-wars-kessel-run-explained/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} Ion storms, noted in systems like Hoth and Ryloth, emit electrical discharges capable of disabling spacecraft systems.{{Harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=99}} Other hazards include gravitational rifts and subspace distortions that affect hyperspace route stability. These environmental conditions necessitate frequent astrographic updates and have influenced starship design in both canon and expanded universe materials.

{{Further|Star Wars#Fictional timeline}}

The Star Wars canonical timeline is structured around the Battle of Yavin, a military engagement between Rebel and Imperial forces depicted in A New Hope (1977), which serves as the central temporal reference point. Dates are expressed as BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) and ABY (After the Battle of Yavin).{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Sean |date=2024-07-09 |title=Star Wars Gives Canon Explanation For BBY & ABY |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-bby-aby-canon-explanation/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} The earliest era, occurring over 25,000 years BBY, includes the origins of the Jedi Order, the establishment of the Galactic Republic, and early galactic civilization.{{harvnb|Baver|Fry|Horton|Richau|Sandell|2023|p=|pp=9-11}} This expansive period is only partially detailed in canonical sources. Between 22 BBY and 19 BBY, the Clone Wars transpire, marking a large-scale conflict between the Galactic Republic and the separatist Confederacy of Independent Systems.{{harvnb|Hidalgo|2012|pp=75–77}}{{harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=147}}{{Harvnb|Kaminski|2008|pp=170-171}} This conflict concludes with the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire under Emperor Palpatine.{{harvnb|Baver|Fry|Horton|Richau|Sandell|2023|pp=|p=44}}{{Cite magazine |last1=Corliss |first1=Richard |last2=Cagle |first2=Jess |last3=Ressner |first3=Jeffrey |date=April 29, 2002 |title=Dark Victory |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002323,00.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609030049/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002323,00.html |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2016 |magazine=Time |via=EBSCOhost |volume=159 |issue=17 |issn=0040-781X}} The Imperial Era encompasses the reign of the Empire until its decline, with key events including the destruction of the first Death Star at the Battle of Yavin (0 BBY), the Battle of Hoth (3 ABY), and the Battle of Endor (4 ABY), the latter resulting in the death of Emperor Palpatine and the effective dissolution of Imperial central authority.{{harvnb|Baver|Fry|Horton|Richau|Sandell|2023|pp=186–196}}{{Cite web |title=The Eras of Star Wars |url=https://www.starwars.com/eras |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826050943/https://www.starwars.com/eras |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=StarWars.com}} Following the Empire’s collapse, the New Republic is founded with the objective of reestablishing democratic governance and stability in the galaxy.{{harvnb|Baver|Fry|Horton|Richau|Sandell|2023|p=248}} However, Imperial loyalists survive as scattered remnants, eventually regrouping as the First Order.{{cite web |date=29 August 2023 |title=Star Wars timeline: From the dawn of the Jedi to the New Jedi Order |url=https://www.space.com/star-wars-timeline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021182821/https://www.space.com/star-wars-timeline |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |accessdate=21 October 2023 |website=Space.com}}{{cite web |last=Trendacosta |first=Katharine |date=February 22, 2017 |title=Everything That Aftermath: Empire's End Reveals About the New Star Wars Universe |url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/everything-that-aftermath-empires-end-reveals-about-th-1792629107 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |website=Gizmodo}} Beginning around 34 ABY, the sequel trilogy era portrays renewed conflict initiated by the First Order’s expansion, as well as the rise of new Force-sensitive individuals and continuing legacies of prior generations.{{harvnb|Baver|Fry|Horton|Richau|Sandell|2023|p=272}} This era includes the Resistance movement opposing the First Order and culminates with confrontations that reshape galactic power structures.{{Cite web |date=2006-07-17 |title=Star Wars: Clone Wars {{!}} What are the Clone Wars? |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717014316/http://www.starwars.com/clonewars/about/whatarecw.html |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=web.archive.org}}{{harvnb|Baver|Fry|Horton|Richau|Sandell|2023|p=280}}

{{Main article|List of Star Wars creatures|Languages in Star Wars}}

Humans are a widespread and highly adaptable sentient species in the Star Wars universe, characterized by a bilateral, bipedal physiology and a wide range of phenotypic variation.{{harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=7}}{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=|pp=32-34}} As the most numerous and politically influential species in the galaxy, humans have played a central role in the development of galactic civilization throughout all major eras of canonical history. Humans are believed to have originated on the Core World of Coruscant, although alternative theories—especially in expanded universe and non-canon sources—suggest other potential ancestral homeworlds such as Corellia or even multiple locations due to early interstellar migration.{{Cite web |last=Declan |first=Liz |date=2024-10-23 |title=Coruscant Explained: Legends Origin, Sith Secrets, & New Republic Future |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-coruscant-explained/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} By the era of the Galactic Republic, humans had colonized thousands of planets, resulting in significant cultural and linguistic diversification across regions. Despite this, the species maintained genetic consistency sufficient to interbreed with certain near-human species. The standard spoken language among humans is Galactic Basic Standard, often abbreviated as Basic.{{Cite news |last=Zimmer |first=Ben |date=2016-01-15 |title=The Languages of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-languages-of-star-wars-the-force-awakens-1452892741 |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} This language functions as the lingua franca of the galaxy and is used for interspecies communication, government proceedings, military operations, and trade.{{Cite web |last=McKalin |first=Vamien |date=2015-11-27 |title=Google Translate's 'Star Wars' Easter Egg Adds Support For Aurebesh |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/111268/20151127/google-translate-s-star-wars-easter-egg-adds-support-aurebesh.htm |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Tech Times |language=en-US}} While many species understand Basic, humans are typically monolingual unless trained otherwise, relying on droids or protocol specialists for translation. Humans have constituted the majority of political, military, and administrative leadership across various regimes, including the Old Republic, the Galactic Empire, the New Republic, and the Resistance. Their dominance in political structures—particularly under the Galactic Empire—was associated with policies of speciesism and human-centric governance, though subsequent governments took varied approaches to species inclusion. Notable human individuals include Jedi Knights such as Anakin Skywalker and Rey, political leaders such as Padmé Amidala and Leia Organa, and military figures like Han Solo and Cassian Andor.

Wookiees are a sentient species native to the forested planet Kashyyyk, located in the Mid Rim region of the galaxy.{{cite web |title=Star Wars: Databank|Wookiee |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/species/wookiee/index.html |access-date=2007-11-11 |work=Lucasfilm}} Characterized by their tall, muscular build and dense fur covering their bodies, Wookiees possess notable physical strength and agility, which they combine with advanced technical skills and a cultural emphasis on loyalty. Their language, Shyriiwook, or Wookieespeak, consists primarily of growls and roars, which are generally unintelligible to non-Wookiees but can be understood by some species, including Chewbacca, among the most notable Wookiee.{{Cite web |date=2014-05-04 |title=‘Return Of The Jedi’ Turns 30: Secrets Of Ewok Language Revealed! - MTV |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504233818/http://www.mtv.com/news/1708006/star-wars-return-jedi-ewok-language-secrets/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=web.archive.org}} Wookiees live in large, tree-based communities built high in the dense forests of Kashyyyk, utilizing the natural environment to create intricate villages and defensive structures. Historically, Wookiees have been known for their resistance to slavery and oppression, most notably during their uprising against the Galactic Empire’s enslavement programs. They also played significant roles in various galactic conflicts, including the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War, often allying with the Galactic Republic, the Rebel Alliance, and later the Resistance.

The Hutts are a sentient slug-like species native to the planet Nal Hutta, located in the Outer Rim Territories. Known for their immense size, longevity, and hedonistic lifestyles, Hutts are among the most influential non-human power brokers in the Star Wars galaxy. They operate through a decentralized criminal syndicate known as the Hutt Cartel, exerting economic and political control over vast regions, particularly Hutt Space and neighboring systems.{{harvnb|Fry|Wallace|2009|p=|pp=26-27}} Although not officially aligned with galactic governments, the Hutts have maintained de facto authority over several Outer Rim sectors, often through corruption, coercion, and organized crime. The dominant language of the species is Huttese, a widespread trade tongue that has evolved into one of the galaxy’s most commonly spoken languages, especially in regions under Hutt influence. While native to the Hutts, Huttese is spoken fluently by many non-Hutt species such as Twi’leks, Rodians, Jawas, and Humans, particularly those involved in smuggling, bounty hunting, or black-market economies.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=34}} The language features a simple phonetic structure and is typically transcribed using the Latin alphabet, though it also has distinct written scripts. Huttese's extensive use in interstellar commerce, diplomacy, and criminal dealings reflects both the cultural imprint and the socio-economic dominance of the Hutt species. Notable Hutt individuals, such as Jabba Desilijic Tiure, frequently converse in Huttese.

Jawas are a rodent-like sentient species native to Tatooine, recognizable by their diminutive stature, glowing yellow eyes, and hooded brown robes. They are scavengers and traders by nature, known primarily for their practice of collecting, repairing, and reselling discarded technology, especially droids and mechanical components.{{harvnb|Lewis|2006|pp=90–92}} Jawas travel in large, sand-crawling vehicles called sandcrawlers, which serve as both mobile homes and salvage depots. Their society is clan-based, with strong communal ties, and they maintain a barter economy rooted in opportunistic commerce and rapid negotiation tactics.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=50}} Jawas speak a rapid, high-pitched language known as Jawaese, which is characterized by its tonal modulation and squeaky vocalizations. The language is largely unintelligible to most other species without translation devices or familiarity through trade interactions. Jawaese is distinct from the Basic language, and its structure reflects the secretive and insular nature of Jawa society. While Jawas are most prominently associated with Tatooine, canonical sources suggest the possibility of related subspecies or cultural analogs on other desert worlds.{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2016 |title=Much to Learn You Still Have: 7 Things You Might Not Know About Jawas |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/much-to-learn-you-still-have-7-things-you-might-not-know-about-jawas}}

Aurebesh is the primary written script used to represent Galactic Basic Standard, the most widely spoken language in the Star Wars galaxy.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|pp=124-126}} It functions as an alphabetic system composed of 26 characters, each corresponding to a letter in the Latin alphabet, along with various ligatures for common letter combinations. Aurebesh is ubiquitous throughout the galaxy and appears on signage, displays, and interfaces across diverse planets and technological systems. While the spoken form of Galactic Basic is commonly rendered in English for media representation, Aurebesh visually differentiates the Star Wars universe by encoding the language in a stylized typographic system.{{Cite news |last=Zimmer |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Zimmer |date=January 15, 2016 |title=The Languages of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-languages-of-star-wars-the-force-awakens-1452892741 |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 25, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |department=Word on the Street}} The script was formalized in-universe by the Galactic Republic and continued to be used during the reign of the Galactic Empire, the New Republic, and later political regimes. Aurebesh is not unique to any species and is instead a cross-species, standardized writing system, enabling communication across galactic cultures. In-universe, it serves the same function as a universal script for trade, governance, and technology. Its name derives from the first two letters of its alphabet: "Aurek" and "Besh."{{Cite web |last=Crane |first=Stephen |date=October 21, 2000 |title=Aurebesh Soup |url=http://www.echostation.com/features/aurebesh.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429204741/http://www.echostation.com/features/aurebesh.htm |archive-date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=August 13, 2016 |website=echostation.com}}

{{Main article|Technology in Star Wars}}

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| caption1 = Hyperspace tunnel effect used during faster-than-light travel

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| caption2 = The Millennium Falcon, one of the most recognizable starships in the Star Wars universe

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Space travel in the Star Wars universe is primarily facilitated by hyperdrive technology, which enables starships to traverse vast interstellar distances by entering hyperspace, an alternate dimension allowing faster-than-light travel.{{Cite web |last=Hardwick |first=Ben |date=2022-08-01 |title=Star Wars: What Exactly Is Hyperspace? |url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-hyperspace-explained/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=CBR |language=en}} Ships equipped with hyperdrives rely on complex systems including 'hypermatter' reactors and navigational computers to calculate safe routes that avoid gravitational hazards such as stars and black holes.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=32}} In realspace, ion engines provide sublight propulsion for maneuvering and planetary operations. Comprehensive life support systems maintain habitable environments during extended missions, while advanced communication arrays enable near-instantaneous data exchange across the galaxy.{{Cite web |title=News Center Features {{!}} Georgia Institute of Technology |url=https://news.gatech.edu/archive/features/science-star-wars.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=news.gatech.edu}}{{Cite web |date=18 June 2014 |title=5 Faster-Than-Light Travel Methods and Their Plausibility |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/5-faster-than-light-travel-methods-and-their-plausibility/ |access-date=3 September 2021 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}} Starships vary widely in design and function—from small fighters to massive capital ships—each optimized for their specific operational requirements, incorporating extensive redundancy and safety measures to ensure mission success in the challenging conditions of space.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=|pp=84-86}}

Droids in the Star Wars universe are autonomous or semi-autonomous robotic entities designed to perform a wide range of tasks, from basic labor and maintenance to complex tactical and diplomatic functions. They operate using sophisticated artificial intelligence and programming protocols that enable learning, decision-making, and interaction with organic beings.{{Harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=|pp=140}} Droids are constructed from durable materials capable of withstanding diverse environmental conditions, including combat scenarios and space travel. Common classifications include protocol droids, which specialize in communication and translation; astromech droids, which assist with starship navigation and repair; and battle droids, designed for combat operations.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=|pp=136-144}}{{harvnb|Cavelos|1999|p=|pp=76-90}} Weaponry and defense systems in the Star Wars universe encompass a wide array of advanced technologies designed for offensive and protective purposes across multiple scales, from personal armaments to planetary fortifications.{{harvnb|Cavelos|1999|pp=126–150}} Personal energy weapons, such as blasters, operate by projecting concentrated beams of high-energy plasma or particle bolts capable of inflicting significant damage to organic and inorganic targets.{{harvnb|Cavelos|1999|p=169}}{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=162}} The iconic lightsaber functions through a plasma blade contained within a magnetic field, enabling precise cutting and deflection of energy projectiles. On a larger scale, starships and space stations employ turbolasers and ion cannons, which deliver powerful directed energy or electromagnetic pulses to disable or destroy enemy vessels and infrastructure.{{harvnb|Bray|Horton|Barr|2017|p=160}}{{harvnb|Cavelos|1999|pp=144–170}} Planetary defense systems often include shield generators capable of producing large-scale energy barriers to protect strategic locations from orbital bombardment or invasion. These technologies integrate principles of energy generation, magnetic containment, and directed energy weaponry, reflecting a complex understanding of physics adapted for military applications.

Star Wars features several spacecraft types, each designed for specific operational roles. Starfighters, such as the notable X-wing and TIE fighter, serve as fast, maneuverable combat vessels primarily used in dogfights and small-scale skirmishes.{{Cite web |date=2007-11-12 |title=Star Wars: Episode III {{!}} Homing Beacon #145 - The Evolution of Space Battles |url=http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/beacon145.html |access-date=2025-05-22 |archive-date=2007-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112044001/http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/beacon145.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{cite web |title=X-wing starfighter (Behind the Scenes) |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/xwing/?id=bts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629000058/http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/xwing/?id=bts |archive-date=2011-06-29 |access-date=2007-10-16 |work=Star Wars Database |publisher=Lucasfilm}} Larger vessels like cruisers and frigates perform multipurpose functions including fleet command, escort, and heavy firepower support; examples include the Mon Calamari cruisers and Imperial Star Destroyers.{{harvnb|Cavelos|1999|pp=|p=168}} Transport ships, such as the Corellian freighters, are engineered for cargo hauling and personnel movement, balancing capacity with speed and defensive capabilities. Specialized ships include reconnaissance craft equipped with advanced sensor arrays for intelligence gathering, and troop transports designed for rapid deployment of ground forces. Additionally, capital ships like the Executor-class Super Star Destroyers function as mobile command centers and heavily armed warships capable of projecting power across star systems. Each spacecraft category integrates design features suited to its mission, ranging from agility and speed to firepower and defensive resilience.{{Harvnb|Cavelos|1999|pp=126-135}}{{Cite magazine |last=Allain |first=Rhett |date=December 17, 2015 |title=The Physics in Star Wars Isn't Always Right, and That's OK |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/12/the-physics-in-star-wars-isnt-always-right-and-thats-ok/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527203527/https://www.wired.com/2015/12/the-physics-in-star-wars-isnt-always-right-and-thats-ok/ |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |access-date=May 27, 2022 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}

{{Main article|Star Wars sources and analogues}}{{Dual image

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| footer = George Lucas drew much of his inspiration for the mythological concepts and narratives in Star Wars from the writings and theories of Joseph Campbell, particularly his concept the monomyth, as well as his themes of spiritual energy and duality, which helped shape the idea of the Force. {{cite web |last=Moyers |first=Bill |title=The Mythology of Star Wars: George Lucas |url=https://billmoyers.com/content/mythology-of-star-wars-george-lucas/ |website=BillMoyers.com |date=1999-06-18 |access-date=2025-05-22}}

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George Lucas has repeatedly stated in interviews that Joseph Campbell’s work served as a model for the Star Wars universe, which incorporates elements from various philosophies, mythological narratives, academic concepts, theatrical traditions, and religious beliefs.{{harvnb|Nusz|2012|pp=4-5}} In an interview with Bill Moyers, Lucas revealed that initially he believed mythology played no role in his films, but after researching fairy tales, folklore, and reading Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces, he recognized that his first draft of Star Wars (1977) followed Campbell's classic motifs, thus shaping the film’s narrative. George Lucas intentionally applied Joseph Campbell's monomyth theory in creating Star Wars and later developed a friendship with Campbell after publicly acknowledging his influence on the films. Campbell’s work posits that all cultures have produced fundamentally similar myths throughout history. Recognizing this, Lucas developed a mythic framework designed to resonate widely by incorporating common archetypal elements found in these myths.{{harvnb|Nusz|2012|p=18}} Lucas has acknowledged that the Star Wars saga was, in part, conceived as an homage to the film serials popular during the 1930s and 1940s, which he watched growing up. Among the most influential of these was the Flash Gordon series, which featured a space-faring protagonist combating villains across the galaxy—a narrative framework that strongly parallels the premise of Star Wars.{{Harvnb|Nusz|2012|p=89}}

In addition to influences from comic books, science fiction, and film serials, Lucas drew inspiration from historical narratives and American cultural mythology. Much of the popular imagery associated with the American "Old West" originated from 19th-century dime novels that dramatized the exploits of historical figures. These stories helped shape archetypes such as the "lone gunman"—a figure who often embodied themes of individualism and frontier justice. The Star Wars universe incorporates similar narrative elements, particularly through characters who resemble solitary heroes confronting injustice in a large, untamed setting. These Western-style narratives were often loosely based on real historical figures, including Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Bat Masterson.{{harvnb|Nusz|2012|p=91}}

Nazi Germany is one of the most notable historical influences on the depiction of the Galactic Empire in Star Wars. The Empire’s aesthetic and ideological traits—including its emphasis on uniformity and suppression of diversity—mirror those of the Nazi regime.{{Harvnb|Nusz|2012|pp=93-94}} George Lucas explicitly named the Empire's foot soldiers “stormtroopers,” a direct reference to the Nazi Sturmabteilung, or SA, which served as Adolf Hitler’s paramilitary wing.{{Harvnb|Nusz|2012|p=94}} Visual symbolism further reinforces this connection. The Empire is associated with a palette of white (stormtroopers), black (Darth Vader), and red (the Emperor’s Royal Guard)—colors that correspond to the flag of Nazi Germany.{{Cite news |last=Percival |first=Jesse |date=2016-04-17 |title=Nazi Iconography in Star Wars and Modern Day Art |url=https://medium.com/overture-magazine/nazi-iconography-in-star-wars-and-modern-day-media-8d179925d23a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118053545/http://medium.com/overture-magazine/nazi-iconography-in-star-wars-and-modern-day-media-8d179925d23a |archive-date=2023-11-18 |access-date=2025-05-22 |work=Medium |language=en |url-status=live }} The Galactic Empire also functions as a metaphor for authoritarian control in a broader cultural sense, representing a faceless and oppressive regime reminiscent of "Big Brother" or "the man" in modern discourse.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=Star Wars and Politicized Media: A New Hope or The Dark Side? - Berkeley Political Review |url=https://bpr.studentorg.berkeley.edu/2024/04/19/star-wars-and-politicized-media-a-new-hope-or-the-dark-side/#:~:text=Yes,%20Star%20Wars%20was%20Always%20Political&text=There's%20anti-Vietnam%20War%20messaging,Until%20now. |access-date=2025-05-22 |language=en-US}} Lucas’s depiction of the Empire draws upon familiar historical and fictional archetypes of tyranny, making its narrative role both accessible and resonant with audiences.{{Cite web |last1=Vaux |first1=Robert |last2=Hardwick |first2=Ben |last3=Loughlin |first3=Kieran |last4=Donohoo |first4=Timothy Blake |date=2022-04-10 |title=How a Real-Life War Inspired George Lucas' Star Wars Vision |url=https://www.cbr.com/george-lucas-vietnam-war-star-wars-inspiration/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=CBR |language=en}}

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| footer = Left: the Emblem of the Galactic Empire. The way in which the Galactic Empire rose to power throughout the events of the prequel trilogy has often been compared to the rise of the Roman Empire following the collapse of the Roman Republic

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The transformation of the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire in Star Wars has also been compared to the historical transition of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. In both cases, a central leader rises to power by exploiting political unrest and military conflict, wherein Roman general Julius Caesar played a key role in dismantling republican governance, paving the way for autocratic rule. Similarly, in the Star Wars narrative, Chancellor Palpatine uses the Clone Wars to justify emergency powers and ultimately establish an authoritarian regime.{{Cite web |last=Kogod |first=Theo |date=2020-04-17 |title=10 Real-Life Cultures That Inspired Star Wars |url=https://screenrant.com/real-life-cultures-inspired-star-wars-japan-mongolia-victorian-england/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

Further influences on Lucas’s narrative framework include the Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, known for his period dramas set in feudal Japan. Kurosawa’s film The Hidden Fortress (1958), which centers on two peasants escorting a princess and a samurai general, directly inspired several elements of A New Hope (1977), notably the introduction of R2-D2 and C-3PO. In addition to his admiration for Kurosawa, Lucas drew heavily from samurai culture in conceptualizing the Jedi Order.{{Cite web |last=Barder |first=Ollie |title=Understanding The Japanese Influences Behind 'Star Wars' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/21/understanding-the-japanese-influences-behind-star-wars/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

• List of Star Wars planets and moons
• List of Star Wars creatures
• Star Wars in other media

{{reflist|group=G|30em}}

{{reflist|30em}}

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}}

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• {{cite book |last=Lamster |first=Mark |title=Architecture and Film |date=July 2, 2013 |publisher=Princeton Architectural Press |isbn=9781568988375}}
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{{Star Wars universe}}