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Often referred to as the Republic, the Galactic Republic governed the galaxy before the Clone Wars and the rise of the Galactic Empire. It’s distinctive from the Imperial crest and represents a very different institution. Like the Imperial crest, the First Order’s new insignia is prominently featured on uniforms and displays throughout their operations. The First Order rose from the ashes of the Empire.
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Though the remnants of the Empire signed the Galactic Concordance with the New Republic, not everyone wanted peace. In other words, the Empire knew how to brand itself. The symbol is associated with the might of the Empire, and its presence on a world signifies Imperial control. It’s visible on uniforms, flags, and even propaganda posters. The new cog with six spokes was used throughout the organization. When Sheev Palpatine formed the Galactic Empire, he adopted a different version of the Galactic Republic’s crest. The design may have roots in the phoenix/starbird graffiti Sabine Wren leaves behind in Star Wars Rebels. Their symbol, a starbird, is most often spotted on pilots’ helmets and can also be seen on uniforms on the Resistance base in The Force Awakens.
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The Rebel Alliance stood against the Galactic Empire in the original trilogy and after years of fighting, the Rebellion eventually signed a concordance with the Empire. Here are five such symbols from the galaxy far, far away: Like emblems in our world, the symbols allow you to tell which organization someone has pledged his or her allegiance to with a quick glance. Symbols like those appear throughout the Star Wars universe in the films, television series, books, games, and comics. Do you remember the first time you noticed the symbols of the Empire and Rebellion appear in the original trilogy? The Imperial insignia can be seen on uniforms, and the Rebel Alliance starbird appears on the helmets of the X-wing pilots who take on the Death Star.
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