Ever since Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope was released in 1977, fans have been learning valuable truths from George Lucas' franchise. With seven movies released over four decades, Star Wars' life lessons have influenced multiple generations and millions across the world — maybe even across the universe. In the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia and Darth Vader taught fans about the Force and the pull between the Dark Side and the Light Side. Then, in the prequel trilogy, Anakin Skywalker, Padmé and Obi-Wan taught us about the Force and the pull between the Dark Side and the Light Side. And while the main lesson at the heart of the Star Wars movies can get a little repetitive, there are actually plenty more things that the Skywalker family saga has taught us.
Here are 17 lessons Star Wars has provided, from the importance of having a fluffy bestie (Chewbacca for the win) to the power of female leaders to why you should always trust a space pirate. Fans haven't learned everything we can from Star Wars yet, and there's no doubt that Star Wars: The Force Awakens ' Finn, Poe, Rey and Kylo Ren have a lot more left to teach us in the upcoming films. But the lessons below are certainly one hell of a start.
1) Don't Kiss Strangers
You never know who might turn out to be your long lost twin.
2) Have A Secret Language With Your BFF
Chewie and Han Solo are peak BFF, and sometimes it seems like Han Solo is the only person who can understand Chewie (mostly because he is). The fact that they share a language not widely known by other characters makes their bond even stronger.
3) Fluffy BFFs Are The Best BFFs
Look at Chewbacca and tell me you don't want to hug him. I dare you.
4) Love Your Droids
Be nice to your friendly neighborhood droids. You never know when they'll come in handy, whether it's by leading you across the galaxy or saving your life.
5) Revenge Will Turn You Evil
If Anakin/Darth Vader has taught us anything, it's that when you let revenge take you to the Dark Side, you never come back.
6) Always Date The Bad Boy
He'll totally change for you. No worries.
7) Hair Is Your Most Important Accessory
Kylo Ren, Leia, and Queen Amidala/Padmé all have one thing in common: excellent hair.
8) To Sound Wise, Speak Out Of Order You Must
Like it or not, Yoda was really onto something with the whole talking backwards thing.
9) Women Make The Best Political Leaders
General Leia for the win.
10) Lightsabers Work Best For Amputations
A lightsaber would have come in super handy in 127 Hours.
11) Family Is Always Complicated
Even in a galaxy far far away, no family is perfect. In fact, family in Star Wars is pretty much your saving grace and your worst nightmare. It's complicated.
12) Trash Chutes Do Not Make Good Escape Routes
More like certain death.
13) People Who Only Wear Black Are Not To Be Trusted
If you see someone wearing a large, flowing black coat over a black uniform, they are probably an evil dictator. (So, basically, New Yorkers, you should probably run for your lives.)
14) Everything Is Pointless Without A Pilot
If Star Wars has taught us anything, it's that in a galaxy where planet hopping is a regular occurrence, if you don't have a ship and a pilot to fly it, you're basically dead.
15) Old White Men Are Evil
Obi wan excluded.
16) You Don't Get to Choose Your Parents
Poor Luke had to learn this lesson the hard way.
17) People Aren't All Bad Or All Good
Like the Force, people exist in a balance between the good and the bad. Even heroes like Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia feel a bit of darkness sometimes. Nobody is all good or all evil, we're all just people. Yes, even Darth.
Star Wars, taught us much, you have.
Images: Lucasfilms; Giphy (17)
