20 Star Wars Symbols & Their Meanings

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Learn the lore behind the most popular symbols in the galaxy

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Rebel Alliance Symbol

2 Galactic Empire Symbol

3 Galactic Republic Symbol

4 Jedi Order Symbol

5 Mandalorian Symbol

6 First Order Symbol

7 New Republic Symbol

8 High Republic Symbol

9 Path of the Closed Fist Symbol

10 Eye of the Nihil Symbol

11 Sith Eternal Symbol

12 Old Republic Symbol

13 Ahsoka Tano Symbol

14 Anakin Skywalker's Podracer Symbol

15 Mudhorn Symbol

16 Death Watch Symbol

17 Royal House of Naboo Symbol

18 Chiss Ascendancy Symbol

19 Black Sun Symbol

20 Desilijic Clan Symbol

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Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: November 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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Star Wars fans love using symbols to show their passion for their favorite science fiction franchise. They also love sharing their knowledge of Star Wars lore. Thankfully, when it comes to symbols in a galaxy far, far away, there's plenty of lore to go around! We would be honored if you would join us as we explore the top 20 canon Star Wars symbols and their in-universe meanings. May the Force be with you as you read on!

Top 6 Star Wars Symbols

• Rebel Alliance: A stylized firebird
• Galactic Empire: A cog with 6 spokes
• Galactic Republic: A cog with 8 spokes
• Jedi Order: Wings with a central beacon
• Mandalore: A mythosaur skull with two protruding jawbones
• First Order: A hexagon with 16 rays pointing inward

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1

Rebel Alliance Symbol

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1. 
   The symbol of the Rebel Alliance is a stylized firebird. A firebird is a creature in the Star Wars universe. The Rebel Alliance symbol is an evolution of an original design by Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian and one of the main characters in the Star Wars Rebels TV series. In the original trilogy of Star Wars films, the Rebel Alliance is a group of planets and rebel cells that unite to topple the evil Galactic Empire.

   • Appears in: Star Wars Rebels, Rogue One, Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
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2

Galactic Empire Symbol

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1. 
   The symbol of the Galactic Empire is a cog with 6 spokes. Emperor Sheev Palpatine founded the Galactic Empire at the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Imperials like Grand Moff Tarkin, Director Orson Krennic, the stormtroopers, and other Imperials are the main antagonists in three of the original six Star Wars movies. Darth Vader is also associated with the Empire, but he's considered a Sith lord, not an Imperial officer.

   • Appears in: Star Wars Rebels TV series, Solo, Rogue One, and the original trilogy

3

Galactic Republic Symbol

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1. 
   The Galactic Republic crest is a cog with 8 spokes. If you think this symbol looks familiar, you'd be right! It looks a lot like the Galactic Empire cog, only it has 8 spokes. This makes sense when you remember that the Empire used to be the Republic. The Imperial symbol is an evolution of the original design.

   • Appears (or is mentioned) in: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, The Clone Wars TV series, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
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4

Jedi Order Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol resembles a pair of wings and a beacon of light in the center. In A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi (AKA Old Ben) describes the Jedi Knights as the guardians of peace and justice. The Jedi Order crest represents their role in the galaxy as protectors of the ideals they promoted: truth, hope, and light for all beings.

   • Appears in: The prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars

5

Mandalorian Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol is a representation of a creature called a mythosaur. The Mandalorians are a warring people in the Star Wars universe. Bounty hunter Jango Fett and his son, Boba Fett, were both adopted into the Mandalorian culture. Boba Fett took on the mythosaur as his personal insignia, but this terrifying-looking creature with horns on either side of its skull also represents Mandalorians as a whole.

   • Appears in: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Mandalorian TV series, and The Book of Boba Fett TV series
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6

First Order Symbol

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1. 
   The First Order symbol is a hexagon with 16 rays pointing toward the center. The First Order is the enemy of the New Republic and the Resistance in Episodes VII-IX (the sequel trilogy). It started with remnants of the Galactic Empire, after the Empire was defeated and dissolved at the end of Return of the Jedi. By the time of The Force Awakens, the First Order is a formidable force, led by Supreme Leader Snoke and his enforcer, Kylo Ren.

   • Appears in: Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

7

New Republic Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol features the Rebel Alliance firebird surrounded by a sunburst. After the Rebel Alliance defeated the Galactic Empire in Return of the Jedi, their leaders set about forming a new government. They called it the New Republic. The symbol they chose pays homage to their resistance roots with the Rebel Alliance firebird, while the sunburst represents a new era of hope and peace.

   • Appears (or is mentioned) in: The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Skeleton Crew TV series, Ahsoka TV series, and the sequel trilogy
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8

High Republic Symbol

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1. 
   This crest has 9 rays fanning out from a central spear. The High Republic was an era of prosperity before the events of the prequel trilogy. During these centuries, the Jedi Order was in its prime, and the symbol above represents the close relationship between the Galactic Republic and the Jedi. The wings represent the spread of wisdom and peace throughout the galaxy, while the central spear represents the Jedi's mandate to protect the cause of justice and the Republic's citizens.

   • Appears in: The High Republic novels and comic series

9

Path of the Closed Fist Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol is 3 blue lightning bolts lined up side-by-side. The Path of the Closed Fist was a subgroup of a cult that believed that no one should use the Force, not even Jedi. It was active during the High Republic era and was responsible for the murder of many Jedi Knights. The Path of the Closed Fist eventually evolved into the Nihil, a group of marauders that terrorized the Galactic Republic.

   • Appears in: The High Republic novels and comic series
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10

Eye of the Nihil Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol looks like the swirling arms of a galaxy with a dot in the center. The Eye of the Nihil wasn't just a symbol of the group of bloodthirsty marauders known as the Nihil. It was also an official position in their organization, held by a man named Marchion Ro. The Eye was responsible for finding new Paths for the Nihil to travel secretly throughout the galaxy. Ro eventually united the different Nihil groups and became their leader.

   • Appears in: The High Republic novels and comic series

11

Sith Eternal Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol is a diamond shape with two notches in it, set in a circle. The Sith Eternal is a cult that worships the Sith, the sworn enemies of the Jedi and users of the dark side of the Force. It's located on the planet Exegol beyond the reaches of the known galaxy. After the events of Return of the Jedi, the cultists helped Emperor Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious, cheat death for 30 years while they built a fleet that would eventually become known as the Final Order. Both the Sith Eternal and the Final Order were destroyed by the Resistance and their allies at the end of The Rise of Skywalker.

   • Appears in: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
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12

Old Republic Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol echoes a bird in flight and represents the Jedi. The millennia before the High Republic era were known as the Old Republic. The insignia above represented the Jedi Order during this ancient time.

   • Appears in: The Clone Wars

13

Ahsoka Tano Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol mimics the distinctive patterns on Ahsoka Tano's face. Ahsoka Tano was a Togruta Jedi who was active during the Clone Wars, the rise of the Empire, and the dawn of the New Republic. She was an apprentice to Anakin Skywalker and later trained Ezra Bridger, Sabine Wren, and Grogu. During her last mission in the Clone Wars, the clone troopers under her command painted their helmets to mimic the pattern on her forehead and show their loyalty to her. Later, when the Empire rose to power, Tano became a rebel spy known by the alias Fulcrum, and this symbol became her calling card.

   • Appears in: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka
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14

Anakin Skywalker's Podracer Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol is a unique arrangement of intersecting blue lines. In The Phantom Menace, 10-year-old Anakin Skywalker builds a podracer and enters it into the Boonta Eve Classic. To make his podracer stand out, he painted the above insignia on the triple air scoops that stick out over each turbine.

   • Appears in: Episode I: The Phantom Menace

15

Mudhorn Symbol

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1. 
   This Mandalorian insignia looks like the profile of a mudhorn. In The Mandalorian season 1, Din Djarin battles a female mudhorn for her egg, so he can trade it to Jawas for his ship parts. A mudhorn most closely resembles a rhinoceros in the real world, and much like a rhino, it's extremely dangerous! When Djarin defeats it (with the help of Grogu, a Jedi youngling in his care), a Mandalorian armorer forges the above insignia for him. Later, Djarin founds Clan Mudhorn with himself and Grogu as his adopted son.

   • Appears in: The Mandalorian
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16

Death Watch Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol is a stylized diving shriek-hawk and represents a militant group. Death Watch was a group of Mandalorians who wanted to restore Mandalore's violent warrior traditions. The shriek-hawk is a cross between a reptile and a bird (or a reptavian) in the Star Wars universe. Pre Vizsla was a leading member of Death Watch during the Clone Wars, as were Bo Katan and Gar Saxon.

   • Appears in: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian

17

Royal House of Naboo Symbol

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1. 
   This symbol is similar to a fleur-de-lis and represents Naboo royalty. In The Phantom Menace, a small planet called Naboo is invaded by the Trade Federation as part of a trade dispute. Naboo's system of government is an elected monarchy, meaning they have a queen or king elected by the people. The insignia above represents the royal house of Naboo, but it's also associated with an important character named Padme Amidala. Amidala was the queen of Naboo in The Phantom Menace, and its senator in Attack of the Clones, The Clone Wars, and Revenge of the Sith.

   • Appears in: The prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars
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18

Chiss Ascendancy Symbol

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1. 
   This series of interconnected circles represents an alien government. The Chiss Ascendancy is a coalition of sovereign nations in the Unknown Regions of the Star Wars galaxy. Its people are the Chiss, who are described as blue-skinned humanoid aliens with striking red eyes. The most famous Chiss is Thrawn, who leaves the Ascendancy to make contact with the Galactic Empire and hopefully form an alliance with them. He eventually joins the Empire and rises to the rank of Grand Admiral.

   • Appears (or is mentioned) in: Thrawn book series by Timothy Zahn

19

Black Sun Symbol

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1. 
   This sun-like symbol with 16 rays represents a crime syndicate. The Black Sun criminal organization rose to prominence during the Clone Wars, while the Jedi were distracted by fighting the Separatists. It was led by Falleen nobles, who were tall, green, humanoid aliens. Black Sun was briefly part of the Shadow Collective, which was a group of crime organizations forced to work together by former Sith lord, Darth Maul.

   • Appears in: The Clone Wars
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20

Desilijic Clan Symbol

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1. 
   This anchor-like insignia represents Jabba the Hutt's crime family. In The Phantom Menace and Return of the Jedi, crime boss Jabba the Hutt has a curious tattoo on his right arm. The tattoo looks somewhat like an anchor, and it's the official symbol of his crime family, the Desilijic Clan.

   • Appears in: The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars movie, A New Hope (Special Edition), and Return of the Jedi
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