In the galaxy-spanning narrative of Star Wars, connections between characters shape the unfolding legacy of the Force. This bond is nowhere more profound than the connection between Princess Leia Organa, played by Carrie Fisher, and Rey, portrayed by Daisy Ridley. Though born into different eras and under contrasting circumstances, Leia and Rey share a unique lineage of resilience, strength, and a deep connection to the Force. Together, they forge a new legacy, one that challenges traditional Jedi-Sith divides and honors the power of choice, family, and destiny.
Leia’s Legacy: The Skywalker Heritage
Princess Leia, twin to Luke Skywalker and the daughter of Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader), inherited the Skywalker lineage. Unlike Luke, who embraced Jedi training early on, Leia initially chose to focus on diplomacy, leadership, and the Resistance, facing the Empire’s threats without wielding the traditional lightsaber. Despite this choice, Leia maintained a powerful, intuitive connection to the Force, a gift that protected allies and offered glimpses into the dangers ahead.
Leia’s latent Force abilities came into play with her powerful Force-sense and intuitive insights, abilities that continued to grow even after she chose a path outside the Jedi Order. Later, Leia received formal Jedi training from Luke, although this training remained a personal journey rather than a public declaration. Leia’s commitment to the light side influenced everyone around her, subtly laying the groundwork for future generations and, eventually, for Rey’s journey. Leia’s leadership made her a beacon of hope, becoming a guide not just for rebels but for any Force-sensitive seeking direction.
Rey’s Path: From Scavenger to Skywalker
Rey, whose story begins in the deserts of Jakku, carries a mysterious origin that initially binds her to solitude and self-reliance. Over time, Rey discovers her strong connection to the Force, an instinctual power that rivals that of the legendary Jedi. Initially unaware of her family lineage, Rey’s journey connects her to the Skywalkers in unexpected ways. After discovering that she is, in fact, a descendant of Emperor Palpatine, Rey confronts the darker side of her legacy, ultimately choosing to embrace the light.
Guided by Leia, Rey develops a complex understanding of the Force and its dualities. In The Rise of Skywalker, Leia becomes Rey’s Jedi mentor, recognizing her as a powerful Force user and offering guidance without imposing the Jedi Order’s traditional boundaries. This mentorship underscores Leia’s belief in self-determination, allowing Rey to shape her path. Through Leia’s guidance, Rey adopts a balanced view of the Force, seeing beyond the Jedi-Sith dichotomy and choosing a legacy founded on compassion and resilience rather than bloodlines alone.
The Mentor-Student Bond: Leia and Rey
When Leia steps into the role of Rey’s mentor, a powerful bond emerges between them, one that transcends the typical Jedi training dynamic. Leia imparts wisdom to Rey, passing down knowledge born from years of experience and hardship. Leia also embodies the strength of spirit that Rey admires, teaching Rey to draw on the Force for protection and healing rather than aggression.
Their bond is symbolic, connecting Leia’s legacy as a Skywalker and Rebel leader with Rey’s potential to be the last Jedi. This mentorship is a blend of empathy and discipline, shaped by Leia’s understanding of loss and sacrifice. Leia’s influence guides Rey through the turmoil of confronting her heritage, offering Rey both the courage to resist her darker inclinations and the resolve to embrace her own choices fully.
Lightsaber Training and Legacy
Leia’s brief time with a lightsaber is significant in its symbolic weight. Trained in lightsaber combat by Luke, Leia wields a blue lightsaber, a classic symbol of the Jedi’s dedication to peace and justice. The weapon eventually becomes a part of Rey’s journey, representing both Leia’s legacy and her unique take on the Force. Rey receives this lightsaber after Leia’s passing, a moment that cements their bond across time.
Rey also inherits Luke’s iconic blue lightsaber, combining the legacies of both Skywalker siblings. Together, Leia and Luke’s lightsabers become tools through which Rey finds her path, using them to confront Palpatine and, ultimately, to defeat him. Rey’s handling of Leia’s and Luke’s lightsabers reflects her deep respect for the Skywalkers while embracing her own identity.
Rey’s Yellow Lightsaber: A New Legacy
At the end of Rey’s journey, she crafts her own yellow-bladed lightsaber, signaling a break from past traditions. Unlike the traditional Jedi colors, Rey’s yellow saber represents balance, renewal, and individuality. Through Leia’s teachings, Rey learns to see the Force as a unifying presence that goes beyond Jedi codes or Sith ambitions.
The yellow lightsaber is a culmination of Rey’s growth and Leia’s guidance. This weapon is not just a lightsaber; it is a symbol of a new legacy—a future where the Force can exist without rigid doctrines. Leia’s influence on Rey, therefore, lives on through this weapon, signaling hope for a new generation of Force users who might blend aspects of both the Jedi and the ordinary citizen.
The Force Connection Between Leia and Rey
The connection between Leia and Rey extends beyond training. Bound by the Force, Leia and Rey share a unique Force bond, an invisible link that connects their minds and spirits. In The Rise of Skywalker, Leia uses this bond to guide Rey during critical moments, showing Rey that the Force is as much about community as it is about personal power.
Leia’s connection to Rey is a nurturing, supportive presence, allowing Rey to find strength when she faces her most challenging tests. During the final confrontation with Palpatine, Rey draws upon the strength of all past Jedi. This act honors Leia’s legacy, as Rey becomes not only a wielder of the Force but a vessel for the unity and collective wisdom of generations past. Then Force bond between Leia and Rey becomes a bridge between eras, uniting the wisdom of the original Jedi with the resilience of new heroes.
Leia’s Enduring Legacy: A New Chapter for the Force
Leia’s legacy, extended through Rey, reshapes the galaxy’s understanding of the Force. This legacy is one of adaptability and courage, emphasizing personal choice over destiny. By mentoring Rey, Leia ensures that the teachings of the Jedi survive, but with a fresh perspective that recognizes the importance of inner balance and self-knowledge.
Rey, as Leia’s spiritual successor, carries forward this new philosophy. The bond between them transforms the idea of legacy in the Star Wars universe, making it something that any individual can claim through commitment and integrity. In embracing Leia’s teachings, Rey builds a legacy that transcends lineage, embodying a path for future generations to follow—one founded on choice, compassion, and the courage to forge one’s destiny.
