A Radiant Cage Of Thunder

Star Wars Myth Vs. Templar History: Comparative Mythology 101

Star Wars Myth Vs. Templar History: Comparative Mythology 101

There are many obvious parallels to be found between the Star Wars mythology of George Lucas, which chronicles the fall and diaspora of the Jedi Knight order, with the fall and diaspora of the historical Templar Knight order or more specifically the Cathar Knights Templar.

The first (sequential) Star Wars trilogy (Episodes I,II,III, Lucas) which already had most of its major plotlines canonized through backstory references in the second (sequential) trilogy (Episodes IV,V,VI), it can be argued, resonates with the echoes of some very real historical events, some of which were still quite obscure and for the most part still mostly unknown to mass popular culture at the time the first drafts of Star Wars were being pencilled by a still quite young and well shaven George Lucas (1974 - 75).

It's impossible to say for sure if Lucas was already acquainted with the historical tragedy of the Knights Templar before he created his own cinematic back history and mythology of the Jedi Knights, but it is not difficult to make a point by point comparison of much of their philosophies, functions and major ascendance and ultimate denouement from prominent stature to scattered remnants as they do appear to run uncannily parallel to each other.

One thing is certain, however, and that is that the mystique of both spiritually oriented military orders, comprised of fiercely dedicated and formidibly disciplined mystical warrior-monks is a much deeper and inherently universal one, clearly cut from the same archetypally rooted mythic template so brilliantly revealed and elucidated by pre-eminent 20th Century scholar of comparative religion and mythology, Joseph Campbell, whose seminal work, "HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES" directly inspired Lucas to craft the Star Wars mythology according to a largely ubiquitous set of perennial precepts that fundamentally form the basic archetypal skeleton of human experience and existential significance itself.

In order to illustrate some of the major parallels between the Star Wars myth and Templar history, consider first how both Templar and Jedi orders become entangled and engulfed in a dense web of intrigue and treachery when a Great War is thrust upon them. For the Templars, it is the Crusades. For the Jedi, it is the Clone Wars.

Both orders are considered highly respected, even legendary guardians of peace and justice in their own day, established around the highest seats of the prevailing ruling powers and both are maliciously betrayed and destroyed by that same ruling power and all but completely wiped out in one spectacular and tragic day of betrayal and violence.

For instance, what follows are some more direct examples of a few rather remarkable parallels presented in such a way as to enhance the obviousness of their similarities:

1. Based upon a declaration made by King Philip of France, all of the Knights Templar were ordered rounded up and executed on that fateful day, Friday the 13th in the month of October, AD 1307, in order to completely annihilate their vast autonomous power base and erase from all influence and memory the "Cathar heresy" forever from World history, replacing it with a harsh, genocidal, totalitarian judicial organization called the Inquisition whose sole purpose was to hunt down and erase all traces of the Cathar's former influence from memory (led by the dark and sinister inquisitor general, Torquemada).

I. Based Upon a declaration called 'secret order 66' by Chancellor Cos Palpatine of Naboo, all of the Jedi Knights were ordered rounded up and executed on that fateful day - Natunda the 13th in the month of Welona, 19 BBY , in order to annihilate their vast, autonomous power base and erase from all influence and memory, the "Jedi heresy" forever from Galactic history, replacing it with a harsh, genocidal, totalitarian judicial organization called the Sith whose sole purpose was to hunt down and erase all traces of the Jedi's former influence from memory (led by the dark and sinister inquisitor general, Darth Vader).

2. It is rumored that some of the Jedi Knights escaped the brutal cleansing and underwent a clandestine diaspora taking some of their most highly valued secrets and treasures with them. Eventually, they dispersed to remote, wilderness planets (Dagobah & Tattoine) and went into hiding, but the rumors of a very special bloodline (the Skywalker heirs) persist, and it said that the remaining Jedi are sworn to harbor and protect them at all costs, and that the Galactic Empire remained determined and vigilant in its desire to seek them out and destroy them.

II. It is rumored that some of the Knights Templar survived the brutal cleansing and underwent a clandestine diaspora taking some of their most highly valued secrets and treasures with them. Eventually, they dispersed to remote, wilderness continents (Scotland & North America) and went into hiding, but the rumors of a very special bloodline (the Jesus/Magdelene heirs) persist, and it said that the remaining Templars are sworn to harbor and protect them at all costs, and that the Catholic Empire remained determined and vigilant in its desire to seek them out and destroy them.

Cool huh?

- Douglas Bryenldson

Posted at 07:44AM Sep 26, 2007 by Douglas Lee Bryenldson in General  |  Comments[2]