Midi - chlorian 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 . Anakin Skywalker , the Chosen One 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 including Grand Master Yoda . Biology . 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 . In addition to their connection with the Force , midi - chlorians lived in a symbiotic relationship with their organic hosts — a bond that was especially strong with Force - sensitive beings , who possessed a high quantity of midi - chlorians in their cells . This mutually advantageous relationship allowed the midi - chlorians to communicate the will of the Force to their Force - sensitive symbionts , who were capable of utilizing the powers of the Force through the midi - chlorians . Study and analysis . 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 . History . Origin . The Wellspring of Life , a mystical world located in the heart of the galaxy , was the birthplace of a microscopic species that served as the link between the Living Force within all life forms and the infinite Cosmic Force . It was also the foundation of life , with all life forms serving a symbiotic host for the living organisms native to the wellspring . In modern science these intelligent microbes became known as " midi - chlorians . " The existence of midi - chlorians was known to both the Jedi and the Sith . The Jedi Order utilized the scientific procedure of blood testing to estimate the number of midi - chlorians within prospective initiates . In addition to their scientific knowledge of midi - chlorians , Jedi philosophy held that the midi - chlorians were the foundation of all life itself , and therefore life could not exist without the midi - chlorians . The Chosen One . In 32 BBY , Jedi Master Qui - Gon Jinn encountered Anakin Skywalker , a human child with an exceptionally powerful connection to the Force , but enslaved on the desert world of Tatooine . Intrigued by Anakin ' s natural strength , Jinn ' s fascination grew when the boy ' s mother , Shmi Skywalker , revealed that her son was born without a biological father . Later , a blood test confirmed that Anakin possessed a midi - chlorian count that exceeded 20 , 000 — the highest record at the time — exceeding those of all Jedi including the powerful Grand Master Yoda . The test results , Anakin ' s unique conception , and the reemergence of the Sith were all factors that led Jinn to a single conclusion : Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One , destined to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force . Anakin Skywalker was ultimately liberated and brought to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant , the capital planet of the Galactic Republic , where he would begin his training with the permission of the Jedi High Council . Jinn disclosed the results of Skywalker ' s blood test in his report to the Council , as well as his belief that Skywalker may have been conceived by the midi - chlorians . Though initially skeptical of the maverick Jedi Master ' s claims , the Council ultimately accepted Skywalker into the Order in the aftermath of the Battle of Naboo . Yoda ' s journey . By 19 BBY , over a decade after the discovery of Anakin Skywalker , the spirit of the late Qui - Gon Jinn made contact with Yoda . After journeying to the planet Dagobah at Jinn ' s insistence , Yoda discovered the birthplace of the midi - chlorians where he learned of their role as the link between the Living Force and the Cosmic Force ; a connection embodied by five ethereal beings : Anger , Confusion , Joy , Sadness , and Serenity . With their aid the ancient Jedi Master gained greater insight into the nature of the midi - chlorians which , in turn , led to his acquisition of a new ability — the power to preserve his consciousness after becoming one with the Force . The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise . In the waning days of the Clone Wars , Skywalker became fearful of losing his secret wife , Senator Padmé Amidala , due to premonitions of her death in childbirth . Darth Sidious , the Dark Lord of the Sith whom Skywalker knew as Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine , sought to lure Skywalker to the dark side of the Force by recounting a so - called " Sith legend " that involved the midi - chlorians . According to Sidious , Darth Plagueis was a wise and powerful Sith Lord who could manipulate midi - chlorians to create new life , an ability that extended to preserving life from death itself . Ultimately , the Chancellor ' s story served to motivate Skywalker ' s betrayal of the Jedi Order , resulting in his fall to the dark side as Darth Vader . Behind the scenes . Midi - chlorians were first conceived by George Lucas as early as 1977 . However , they were not featured in the original trilogy , as Lucas felt there was insufficient time to introduce the concept of midi - chlorians to " Star Wars " . As a result , midi - chlorians were not mentioned in any " Star Wars " product until the 1999 film . The first installment of the prequel trilogy revealed why some characters possessed an inherent sensitivity to the Force that others lacked , an issue which Lucas had left unresolved since the original film , . " Controversy . A misconception exists that rather than being indicators , midi - chlorians actually " are " the Force or create it ; there is no canonical basis for this belief . Steve Perry , who used midi - chlorians in his novel " Death Star " , opined that they were " less than inspired . " George Lucas , on the other hand , considers the two aspects of the Force separately , treating the midi - chlorians as the practical , biological side , distinct from the spiritual and metaphysical side of the Force .