Breasts were the mammary glands of mammalian species and some reptomammals, and were normally a distinguishing feature of the female of the species. Males did have breasts, but they were far less developed than their female counterparts due to the sexual dimorphism.
- "Mara can't exactly drop what she's doing either. She's feeding Ben."
- ―Luke Skywalker
In some cultures, sentient females nursed their own young. This was true of both primitive planetary societies like Dathomir, where the warrior-women of the Singing Mountain Clan would feed their children even during solemn councils of war, and high-tech interstellar civilization: Leia Organa Solo nursed her twins for some time and Mara Jade Skywalker nursed her son Ben until he was a few months old. Even Tenel Ka Djo, Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium, nursed her daughter Allana herself.
Alternative techniques of feeding infants did exist, as the TDL nanny droid could store up to two liters of milk internally. Other sentient species retained strong breastfeeding traditions as well: female Wookiees had six breasts, which they used to nurse their litters of cubs. Askajian females also had six breasts, while Gran females had three.
Role in males
As male individuals were not biologically meant to nurse their offsprings, they sported much smaller breasts and produced no milk. Mandalore the Lesser (then a gladiator), Aron Peacebringer (a planetary leader), and Anakin Skywalker (in certain circumstances, such as on Nelvaan) would freely exhibit them. The males in primitive cultures would also go barechested in their young adulthood and childhood, such as the Nelvaanians. Also, males would go barechested to allow freedom of mobility or body temperature, as exhibited by the Whiphid Jedi Master K'Kruhk, Galen Marek while on Felucia,, the Korun leader Kar Vastor on Haruun Kal, or Ki-Adi-Mundi when training in his youth. Some males, such as Anakin Skywalker and Corran Horn would also sleep barechested for comfort, though it should be noted that Horn undressed completely to sleep as opposed to simply going barechested. Also, male breasts were usually not covered when the individual was in a bacta tank, as exhibited by Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn, or when tortured, as seen with Cade Skywalker. Medical examinations, such as those performed by the Kaminoans on their clones, were usually performed on barechested males. Men of various species, such as the Human Jariah Syn, the Nautolan Kit Fisto, and a Quarren commander also swam barechested. Exposing one's chest, also exhibited by Syn, was a part of preparing to make love.
In mainstream galactic society, breasts were normally kept covered.
Female patients in bacta tanks could have their breasts covered, but in some cases they chose not to. Leia Organa seemed unperturbed by the sight of Shen breastfeeding in public on Dathomir, and Luke Skywalker was similarly unfazed when he encountered the Fallanassi adept Norika wearing only a sarong.
Non-mammals with breasts
A number of females belonging to non-mammalian species were known to have had breasts, most notably the reptilian Falleen (though other sources indicated that the size and pigmentation of the spinal ridge were the main distinguishing feature of gender dimorphism in this species).
Rodian females also possessed breasts with functional mammary glands. Off-world females, however, would wear loose clothing in an attempt to disguise their gender. Some females did flaunt their physique if they knew it would work to their advantage.
Behind the scenes
During the development of Star Wars Galaxies, the team worked with Lucasfilm to determine the female Mon Calamari's physiology. Because Mon Calamari were not mammals, early concepts showing Mon Calamari with breasts were eventually rejected.
- Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (Mentioned only)
- Darth Plagueis
- Cloak of Deception
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV series)
- Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First appearance)
- Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided
- Payback: The Tale of Dengar
- Goatgrass: The Tale of Ree-Yees (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
- Slave Ship (Mentioned only)
- Hard Merchandise (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Rebellion 2: My Brother, My Enemy, Part 2
- Heir to the Empire
- "Counterstrike"—Star Wars Adventure Journal 8
- The Courtship of Princess Leia (First identified as Breast)
- The Crystal Star
- Children of the Jedi
- Shield of Lies
- The New Jedi Order: Star by Star (Mentioned only)
- The New Jedi Order: Destiny's Way
- The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic I: Remnant
- Dark Nest II: The Unseen Queen
- Dark Nest III: The Swarm War
- Legacy of the Force: Tempest (Mentioned only)
- The Art of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- "Out of the Cradle"—Star Wars Adventure Journal 2
- "Changing the Odds: The Adventures of Dannen Lifehold"—Star Wars Adventure Journal 3
- "Murder in Slushtime"—Star Wars Adventure Journal 14
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 12 (WOO1, Wookiees)
- The Art of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- From Pencil to Pixel: The Art of Star Wars Galaxies
- Star Wars Art: Visions (Picture only)
- The Essential Guide to Warfare (Section: "A female stormtrooper remembers") (Indirect mention only)
Notes and references
- Breast on Wikipedia
- Time magazine article from May 1983, in which George Lucas discusses female Wookiees.