• • Meaning: It serves as a farewell or a wish for strength, often used by Jedi and, later, in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
  • Origins: While famously used in the films. The first documented use of the pun “May the force be with you” was by Margaret Thatcher’s political party in a 1979 newspaper advertisement.

• Usage: It is frequently used in moments of danger, departure, or encouragement.
• Response: While often met with a nod, in The Mandalorian Chapter 10, a New Republic pilot replies with “And also with you”. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Jedi

Qui-Gon Jinn wished Anakin Skywalker “May the 4th be with you” shortly before the start of the Boonta Eve Classic.^[2] Jedi Master Eno Cordova said the phrase at the end of a recording of him discussing the Zeffonian species and a holocron containing the names and locations of young Force-sensitives throughout the galaxy.^[3]

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi used the phrase throughout his life, including at the end of his message sent through the Jedi beacon, warning any possible survivors of Order 66 that the Galactic Republic had turned against the Jedi and that those who remained should not return to the Jedi Temple.^[4] During Order 66, Jedi Knight Cere Junda used the phrase towards her Padawan, Trilla Suduri, before leaving to lure the attacking clone troopers away. After the Great Jedi Purge.  She used the phrase towards Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis after tasking him with reaching the vault on the planet Bogano.^[3] Kenobi later told Luke Skywalker, “The Force will be with you. Always” during the Battle of Yavin.^[5]

Skywalker would later wish Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca “May the Force be with You”!  Before they started their search to locate Boba Fett and to rescue their comrade Han Solo from being frozen in carbonite.^[6]

Non-Jedi

The Guardian of the Whills Chirrut Îmwe used a variation of this phrase, “May the 4th of Others be with you,” during his time proselytizing on the streets of Jedha City. During the theft of the Death Star plans, Sergeant Jyn Erso of Rogue One said to her team “May the Force be with us.” Admiral Raddus said “Rogue One, may the Force be with you,”! As a tribute to the squad when the surviving members were wiped out on Scarif by the Death Star.^[7] Shortly before the Battle of Yavin. Wwhile overviewing the plan to destroy the Death Star, General Jan Dodonna used the phrase toward the Rebel pilots. Similarly, Han Solo said it to Luke Skywalker while preparing to leave Yavin 4, despite his agnostic stance towards the Force. The phrase was later used by Admiral Gial Ackbar before the Battle of Endor, saying “May the Force be with us.”^[8]

After being questioned by New Republic X-Wing pilots, Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin. Said “May the 4th be with you,” to which one of the pilots, Carson Teva replied, “And also with you.”^[9] The engineer Peli Motto used the phrase towards Djarin as he departed her hangar in his N-1 starfighter.^[10] Prior to her departure in the Millennium Falcon to seek out Luke Skywalker, General Leia Organa said it to Rey.^[11] The phrase was later used toward the Resistance pilots by Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo after the Battle of Oetchi. While trying to leave the Resistance, Finn said it to Rose Tico.^[12]