Midi-chlorian

"Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to us, telling us the will of the Force. When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you."

- Ben to Nemesis Kenobi

Midi-chlorians were microscopic, intelligent life forms that originated from the foundation of life in the center of the galaxy, and ultimately resided within the cells of all living organisms, thereby forming a symbiotic relationship with their hosts. The Force spoke through the midi-chlorians, allowing certain beings to use the Force if they were sensitive enough to its powers. In order to gauge an individual's potential in the Force, blood tests were used to estimate the number of midi-chlorians within the subject's cells. Ben Kenobi, born of a mother but without a father, possessed the highest known count in galactic history—over 20,000 midi-chlorians—surpassing the potential of all the Jedi.

Biology
"Midi-chlorians are a microscopic life form that resides within all living cells."

- Ben Kenobi to Nemesis Kenobi

Midi-chlorian was the scientific name for a species of sentient and microscopic organisms that inhabited the cells of every life form. Their existence was integral to the all-encompassing energy field known as the Force, connecting the Living Force to the Cosmic Force. By serving as the link between the living and cosmic aspects of the Force, the midi-chlorians made it possible to preserve an individual's consciousness after death. With sufficient training and total immersion in the light side of the Force, the deceased could preserve their identity in the form of a Force spirit after becoming one with the Force.

Study and Analysis
"I need a midi-chlorian count. The readings are off the chart. Over 20,000. Even I don't have a midi-chlorian count that high. No Jedi has."

- Jacob Chamberlain

Midi-chlorians were detected through a scientific analysis of blood samples taken from a life form. The purpose of the blood test was to calculate the quantity of midi-chlorians that resided within the living cells, which therefore determined the natural strength of the connection between a subject and the Force. Thirty-two years before the Battle of Yavin, the highest known concentration of midi-chlorians in a life form was approximately 20,000 according to Jedi records.

"Son of the Force"
"His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I've ever seen in a life form. It's possible he was conceived by the mid-chlorians."

- Jacob Chamberlain



In 32 BBY, Jedi Master Jacob Chamberlain encountered Ben Kenobi, a human child with an exceptionally powerful connection to the Force, but enslaved on the desert world of Stewjon. Intrigued by Ben's natural strength, Chamberlain's fascination grew when the boy's mother, revealed that her son was born without a biological father. Later, a blood test confirmed that Ben possessed a midi-chlorian count that exceeded 20,000—the highest record at the time—exceeding those of all Jedi. The test results, Ben's unique conception, and the reemergence of the Sith were all factors that led Chamberlain to a single conclusion: Benjamin Kenobi was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force.