The Star Wars universe is filled with countless alien species, who were not only distinct
physically, but typically shared common personality traits as well.
So we’ll be going over all the major species and highlighting these traits,
as well as the stereotypes that were commonly associated with them by other aliens.
Also just a note, while these characteristics are true for
the species as a whole, there have been notable exceptions, especially for those that became
Jedi.
Neimoidians were known for being obsessed with materialism and status, with it being
ingrained in their culture to seek both regardless of
the consequences.
This resulted in the Neimoidian ruled Trade Federation being infamous for
its exploitative practices, where profits were valued
above all else, regardless of the harm done to the planets they dealt business with.
They were also known for being fearful and distrustful,
even among themselves, which was one of the primary reasons why the majority of their
armed forces was made up of battle droids, as they
didn’t trust other living beings to remain loyal to them.
This gave them the negative stereotype of being obscenely greedy and untrustworthy,
resulting in many worlds only doing business with
them out of desperation.
Muuns on the other hand, were much more refined and direct when it came to their business
practices.
While wealth and status were also highly valued in their culture, the means of
attaining them were placed on ones intelligence and hard work, rather than deception and
cruelty.
Although they were still capable of being ruthless if needed, it was uncommon for them
to do so if a diplomatic option was available.
The stereotype of them being exceptionally hard
working and experts when it came to finances, was one of the reasons the galaxy trusted
the Muun controlled InterGalactic Banking Clan
as the central galactic bank during the age of the
Republic, and even later the Empire, which recognized their value and allowed their institution
to escape the fates of the other Separatist aligned
corporations of the Clone Wars, which ended up being consumed into the Imperial government.
Then we have the Hutts, who shared characteristics of the previous two, but to the absolute
extreme.
Not only did Hutts value status among their own kind, but also saw it paramount to be
above all other species in the galaxy as well.
They were driven by their own ego as much as
they were by greed, with it becoming common knowledge that using flattery was often as
valuable as bribery when dealing with Hutts.
Using their sharp intelligence, brutality, and
manipulative traits; the Hutts were able to carve up immense power within the underworld
and were not afraid of letting others know of
how they got it either, often displaying public acts of
brutality as both a means of intimidation and sadism.
Those that reached the very top were known for being treated as kings, with them
constantly fed and entertained while their servants
did all the physical labor.
As a result, the stereotype of all Hutts being criminals with no morals
became common across the galaxy, along with them being gluttonous and lazy.
In contrast, were the Wookiees.
Honor, loyalty, and tradition were highly valued within their
culture.
They also held high respect for their world, treating the towering trees that clustered
their planet with as much love as they did to their own families.
Their sense of loyalty was second to none, with many honoring a life
debt to any being who saved their lives.
With that
said, they were quite prideful in both their traditions and self, with their usual calm
mannerisms turning violent if they felt disrespected,
even from a minor perceived slight to their intelligence
such as losing a card game.
As such, the stereotype of it not being wise to upset a Wookiee
was common in the galaxy, as well as them being simple minded beasts following the Galactic
Empire’s propaganda campaigns to undermine their species, as a means of getting away
with their enslavement.
When it came to the Wookiees’ nearby neighbors, the Trandoshans shared the same sense of
honor as their hairy counterparts, but drastically differed when it came to violence and their
cruelty.
With the focus of their culture being centered around their goddess, known as the
Scorekeeper, the Trandoshans worshiped this entity and believed killing others granted
them favor in her eyes.
As such, most killed believing they were serving her, and to refuse brought
great shame upon their families and clans.
Being captured alive was regarded as the most shameful act, with the most devoted of the
religion ending their own lives as a result.
Surprisingly, Transdoshans were known to honor a life debt just like the Wookiees, likely
stemming from their belief that the one who saved them was their goddess, and to protect
their savor was the required price for her mercy.
Overall, the common conception of Trandoshans was their cruelty and bloodthirstiness, with
few ever wishing to cross their paths.
Sullustans had a very diverse and laid back culture, with no single cultural characteristic
being primarily valued over another.
While love for family was perhaps the most commonly shared
value on their world, it tended to take a back seat once their offspring grew up and
became independent adults.
Most Sullustans were curious and craved to explore the galaxy, resulting in
many becoming pilots off-world.
They were also known for being overly friendly and relaxed
when around friends.
Their natural charisma made some successful merchants, with them being
able to charm most into buying their products.
Few feared death, viewing it as a simple eternal sleep, resulting in many Sullustans to take
daring risks when others would not.
The stereotypes for Sullustans were largely positive, with
them being praised as pilots and for being overall
friendly, but some viewed them as too reckless over their lack of fear in death.
When it comes to the most desirable and beloved species in the galaxy, Zeltrons easily take
the cake, due to their telepathic ability of influencing
the emotions of others.
With their culture being highly focused on sexuality and the desire
for pleasure, Zeltrons were known for using their
telepathic abilities to increase happiness and feelings of love around those they came
across; while also decreasing feelings of anxiety,
fear and depression.
Their exceptionally high metabolisms meant nearly all Zeltrons were
in excellent physical shape, along with their second
livers allowing them to drink as much as a full grown Wookiee.
Their homeworld was known as the galaxy’s party planet, with the planetary
government going out of its way to ensure everyone
was having a good time.
They were among the most desired for those seeking pleasure and
were rarely known to disappoint.
Although the common stereotype for them was largely positive,
some viewed them as simple minded thrill seekers, who had nothing of value to offer beyond
their superficial pleasures.
While Zeltrons were the most desired for pleasure, Twi-leks were the most widely known for it.
This had largely to do with their culture of tolerating slavery, with many Twi-leks
being sold to criminal syndicates as slaves and entertainers.
Their lekkus were often attractive features to
others, especially to species that were less humionioed themselves.
With their long history of slavery being ingrained in their culture,
Twi-leks themselves were known for being quite submissive, which made them even more desirable
as slaves.
As a result of their prevalence as slaves and entertainers, many in the galaxy
came to view them as those destined to serve others.
Bothans were among the most ambitious species in the galaxy, though rather than desiring
wealth, their culture was focused on attaining political power and influence.
Putting ones own interests before another’s, and the concerns
of their own planet before other species’, was
deeply ingrained within Bothan’s culture, to the point of an entire philosophy being
developed to reinforce these ideals.
As a result, Bothans valued the control of information across the entire
galaxy, becoming experts in spying as well as developing charisma when running for political
offices.
Stereotypes of Bothans being untrustworthy were common, even among their allies,
who saw their aid more out of circumstance, rather than friendship or shared values; usually
only tolerating them due to their expertise in espionage.
In contrast to the Bothans, were the Mon Calamari.
Renowned for their artistic and engineering feats, the Mon Calamari themselves were known
for being among the most selfless in the galaxy, willing to sacrifice their own well
being in an attempt to aid others, even against the
greatest of odds.
This determination was a common trait, with a popular saying being that once
a Mon Calamari set their mind to something, only success or death would free them of their
task.
With that said, they were very hard to sway from their set traditions, to the point of
being viewed as arrogant and prideful from the species
that shared their planet, the Quarren, who demanded the end of the Mon Cala monarchy.
Nonetheless, the Mon Calamari were viewed largely positively in the galaxy for their
determination, artistic contributions, and long standing
willingness to aid those in need.
The Quarren themselves were largely the opposite to the Mon Calamari.
They were more self- centered and xenophobic, rarely sharing their
contributions to outsiders.
While they formed a symbiotic relationship with the Mon Calamari,
it was more out of practical, selfish purposes rather than caring for their neighbors.
The Quarren were skilled in mining ore, while the Mon
Calamari were skilled in using it to develop starships, which aided both economically.
For the most part, the Quarren stayed on their own
planet, with the few that did leave being viewed as
self centered and xenophobic for the most part.
Finally, we come to Humans in the Star Wars galaxy.
Unlike most species, Humans were regarded for their ability to adapt to nearly
any situation they were placed in, along with their
natural curiosity and desire to explore.
This had mainly to do with how spread out Humanity was
in the galaxy when compared to most other species, with them being able to adapt in
most environments they were placed in.
While the stereotypes others had when it came to Humans
varied just as much as Humans themselves, during the time of the Empire and its anti-alien
sentiments in the galaxy, gave a tarnished view of Humanity as a whole.
Their need to dominate and get involved in other people's business
was also a common view shared by other species, especially those in the Outer Rim.
However, Humans’ positive impact and contributions were
also praised by those who benefited from them, such as being one of the prominent founders
of the Galactic Republic.