4 forbidden romances in the Jedi Order

Taboo love is for a Jedi. It can lead them to the Dark Side. Just ask Anakin Skywalker, who was forced to hide his marriage to Padmé Amidala in Star Wars.

The Jedi were an odd group. They discouraged attachments and yet, they had friendships. Romance was the one attachment the Jedi Order forbade above all else. However, not every Jedi remained single or maintained a vow of celibacy in Star Wars.

The saga films and the television series only show a few romances, but not an excessive amount. Some became tragedies, like the liaisons of Shakespearean times. Others ended on mutual terms where the secret couple continued a friendly relationship.

Let’s examine four romances forbidden during the time of the Old Republic Jedi.

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

4. Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala

The most famous romance on this list is Anakin and Padmé. Fans remember them as the parents of Luke and Leia and the grandparents of Leia’s son, Ben. There’s more to their courtship than what we witnessed in the films.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars provided fans with another look at the couple. We witnessed the pair go through huddles such as Padmé’s history with Senator Rush Clovis, and issues with Anakin’s temper. What’s interesting about the pair on the show is it’s obvious they’re a couple.

While no one mentioned the relationship, it’s clear Anakin’s two closest friends, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka knew about them. But, being the loyal companions they were, they said nothing.

By the end of the war, Padmé became pregnant with their first child, and Anakin had nightmares of his wife’s demise in childbirth, but couldn’t see the fate of their child.

Anakin’s fear got the better of him and he lost Padmé, leading him to become Darth Vader. However, Padmé gave birth to twins before her death and their son, Luke would redeem Anakin 23 years later. The younger Skywalker shared his mother’s belief there was still light inside his father.

Luke realized love might save Vader, and it was this love that brought Anakin back.

Photo credit: Lucasfilm

3. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine Kryze

Star Wars: The Clone Wars introduced many situations. Fans of the Legends continuity may remember Obi-Wan fell in love with fellow Jedi Padawan Siri Tachi. However, this changed when the character, Duchess Satine Kryze became Obi-Wan’s main love interest instead.

The Duchess’s introduction led to teasing from Obi-Wan’s former apprentice and best friend, Anakin. Skywalker referred to her as Obi-Wan’s ‘girlfriend,’ which caught the older Jedi off guard. He tried to correct Anakin, but he disappeared down the hall.

The attraction between the pair became undeniable. However, the romance came to a tragic end when Maul kills Satine in front of Obi-Wan and she died in her lover’s arms.

Obi-Wan referenced the relationship to Anakin when his ex-pupil has marriage issues. Anakin dismissed Obi-Wan’s advice, telling him he and Padmé were friends.

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

2. Ahsoka Tano and Lux Bonteri

Nothing says young love better than Ahsoka and Lux. The apprentice of Anakin Skywalker met the son of a Separatist sympathizer when she played bodyguard to Senator Padmé Amidala.

Over time, the pair teamed up several times, which led to a short love affair. Stolen kisses got exchanged before the relationship ended on a mutual understanding. The last time they interacted is when they lost Steela Gererra.

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Years after his parting from Ahsoka, Lux marries a woman who serves the Empire and becomes the stepfather of her daughter. It’s unknown whether Ahsoka and Lux come into contact again.

1. Quinlan Vos and Asajj Ventress

The final relationship of Quinlan Vos and Asajj Ventress did not appear on-screen and came in the canon novel, Dark Disciple. The concept of the novel comes from completed screenplays for the show that didn’t make it into production.

Katie Lucas, the daughter of Star Wars creator, George Lucas, wrote the storyline. The story explores the relationship between Vos and Ventress. It also dives into what happened with the characters before the events of Revenge of the Sith.

During a mission, Vos temporarily falls to the dark side after he becomes a disciple and lover to Ventress. Tragedy befell the couple when Ventress was killed during their time on Christophsis.

Conclusion

As twisted as the Jedi Order’s stance on love was, they feared it would lead to the Dark Side. Look at what happened to Vos and Anakin. While Vos’s turn to the Dark Side was only temporary, Anakin’s turn lasted the second half of his life.  It was the love of the son Padmé had given birth to that brought him back to the light.