"I was hoping to be free for Life Day." ―A Mythrol [src]

Life Day was a holiday that celebrated values and tenets of Wookiee culture, which included family, joy, and harmony. Traditionally held at the Tree of Life on the forested planet Kashyyyk, celebrations involved festive décor, feasts, and music, where people were reminded of compassion—the promise of the Tree of Life.

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Description Edit

Life Day was a time-honored holiday observed by the Wookiees on their forested home planet of Kashyyyk,[1] in the galaxy's Mid Rim.[2] It celebrated the values and tenets of Wookiee culture, including family, joy, and harmony. Life Day celebrations involved a feast and journey to the Tree of Life, which represented the first seed and spark of life on the planet. Said tree was decorated with crystalline Life Day Orbs, and rituals were conducted around it. The feast involved shi-shok fruits, wroshyr lice syrup, and most of all sacred orga roots, which had been foraged from the Shadowlands in the days before the celebrations.[3]

History Edit

"Oh, I guess you think you can do better?"

"Honestly? Yes, I do."

"Then why don't you go write your own journal and leave me alone?"

"Okay, fine, you know what? I will! I've got some great ideas for an episode about how Chewbacca's family celebrates Life Day!" ―Two Whills [src]

When Wookiees were enslaved by the Galactic Empire, the holiday took on an even greater significance.[1]

Around 9 ABY, a Mythrol was captured by a Mandalorian bounty hunter, and he told his captor that he wanted to be home for Life Day.[5]

Many years after the Imperial Era, a Whill was tasked with writing history for the Journal of the Whills. A fellow Whill protested about how it was being being written. This Whill angrily stormed off, stating they would write about how Chewbacca and his family celebrated the holiday.[6]

Behind the scenes Edit

The Holiday Special Edit

Life Day was introduced in Star Wars canon through a Databank entry on the official Star Wars website.[1] In Star Wars Legends, Life Day was created for The Star Wars Holiday Special,[7] a television variety show that was spun off of Star Wars, George Lucas's film of the previous year.[8] In the special, Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate Chewbacca visit Kashyyyk so the latter can celebrate Life Day with his family.[7]

The 2017 short story "Whills," written by Tom Angleberger and released as part of the From a Certain Point of View anthology, contains a brief reference to the Holiday Special, with a character stating that they have "some great ideas for an episode about how Chewbacca's family celebrates Life Day."[6]

On November 17, 2019, a fan-organized Life Day celebration was held at Disneyland's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.[9] The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, a LEGO film revolving around Life Day, is set to be released on Disney+ on November 17, 2020.[10]

Compassion Edit

Life Day celebrates values of family and joy,[1] values which are central to George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars: Lucas defines joy as compassion[11]—the light side of the Force,[12] and sees his greatest source of happiness to be caring for his children.[13]

Appearances Edit

Non-canon appearances Edit

Sources Edit

Notes and references Edit