In this last blog about 'The Complete Integration of the Animal in the SW-universe' we will talk about two chapters at once.

Chapter IV deals with the influence that creatures have on art in the 'SW'-universe. Everybody knows the elongated horse and elephants in Dali's 'Temptations de Saint Antoine' and the ox and the horse in Picasso's 'Guernica'. These are but two known examples of animals in art.

Chapter VII is about the use and influence of the animal in sport & entertainment. Dog racing, horse races, even elephant races exist on our planet.

1. Iconography
2. Linguistic Use
3. Metaphorical Use
4. Etymology
5. Designs
6. CREATURES & ART
7. SPORT & ENTERTAINMENT


CHAPTER VI: CREATURES & ART
Art (whatever that may be) is one of those aspects of the 'SW'-universe that has passed by almost anonymously. We do get to see pieces of art throughout the trilogy and it has been mentioned in books as well. But overall, it's almost a blind spot. I think we can assume that animals are often featured in art, made by more 'primitive' species such as the Ewoks or Gungans. Not only 'primitive' species will use the animal as an influence in art, also civilized people such as the Naboo will consider animals a fine example to portray in paintings and sculptures.

- Alv: This flying butterfly-like creature native to Sullust was not really used as a independent icon, but was often used by Sullustan painters in their paintings. The Alv had a color pattern in its wings that was considered beautiful by the Sullustans.
Source: Galactic Campaign Guide

- Beldon: In Bespin's Cloud City stands an artwork entitled 'Beldon's Eye'. It's a symbol for Cloud City's Mining Guild. It was named after and possible influenced by the Beldon design.

- Guarlara: This beautiful horse like creature was featured as a statue in the house of the Naberrie family in Theed. The city of Theed itself was also decorated with giant - probably - Guarlara statues. The first arch on the long Palace Plaza, leading up the the palace during the Battle of Naboo, was decorated with two giant animal statues.
Theed Arch

- Jedi / Sith Creatures: In the ancient wall sculpture, dating back 3000 years before the BBY, that was hanging in Palpatine's hallway, both Jedi and Sith were riding creatures. The Jedi used some kind of Dewback, while the Sith seemed to be using serpent like creatures. This frieze was found in a Yavin 4 excavation site.

- Rancor Gargoyle: The interior of Jabba the Hutt's Sail Barge, the Khetanna was decorated with several gargoyles. It featured at least two Ishi Tib gargoyles and one Rancor gargoyle. This last gargoyle was creepy, because it even featured Rancor arms and claws.

- Some might even consider the Tauntaun and Jerba heads in Jabba's Palace to be art.

CHAPTER VII: SPORT & ENTERTAINMENT
I do not consider hunting animals to be either a sport or certainly not entertainment, so I will not discuss this over here.

SPORTS
- Gulliball: This was a sport practiced by the Gungans. They used inflated Gullipuds that had the ability to bounce. Gullipuds lived in the swamps and inflated themselves to distract predators.

- Odupiendo Racing (right): This sport featured a group of Odupiendos racing in a round track. It was a sport that was often used for betting purposes. In the Outlander club on Coruscant, Odupiendo racing was one of the sports to place your bets on.

- Nuna-Ball: This was another sport similar to Gulliball. It also originated on Naboo where Gungans tossed and carried inflated Nuna's. The Nuna inflates itself when it gets angered. Nuna-Ball became more and more popular outside Naboo and entire leagues were started to play the game.
The galaxy's first professional Nuna-Ball League was established by Lysko Buelia and a group of investors, during the years leading up to the Clone Wars.
Teams in the league were made up entirely of droids, with new models of droids being grouped into teams and pitted against each other. Some Droids being used as Nuna-Ball players were Otoga Pit Droids, Asp Droids, 8D Droids, CLL-6 Droids, JR series, RIC series, B1 Droids and B3Nk Droids.
Droid manufacturers liked this format for many reasons, one of which was the minimal cost involved in fielding a team versus the monetary rewards of the sport's popularity. But the sport also had its protests. "Both the Biological Athletes Union and the Committee Against Non-Sentient Abuse have been protesting. These sobjections have failed to gain traction with the public, however". HoloNet News
Article about the Nuna-ball league

ENTERTAINMENT
- Dejarik: This is a popular, ancient game, played throughout the galaxy. Many scholars still discuss the true origin of the game, but no matter what the origin is, it features several mythological or infamous creatures on a roundshaped holotable, produced by Lakan Industries. Near the end of the Clone Wars a finalised version appeared after many discussions (after all, every local Dejarik game desired to have its native creature be part of the game).

The Millennium Falcon also featured a Dejarik holotable, favored by Chewbacca during long journeys. It seemed he found his match in Artoo Detoo.

These creatures were featured in the Falcon's Dejarik game:
- Grimtaash: Grimtaash, the Molator was a being whose spirit protected Alderaanian nobles from corruption and betrayal.
- M'onnok: This creature from Socorro was respected among the native hunters and was considered a good luck omen by smugglers. They sometimes used rudimentary weapons.
- Kintan Strider: These dangerous creatures were often used as guardanimals on Kintan or by Huttese ganglords. Kintan Striders were known for the amazing healing capabilities. However, in reality they were not able to used primitive weapons.
- K'Lor'Slug: These venomous worm like creatures from Noe'ha'hon lived in garbage heaps and refuse piles, and were regarded as symbols of gluttony and decay.
- Mantellian Savrip: The Savrips from Ord Mantell are in fact intelligent. Many people thought they were just creatures.
- Houjix: These creatures were kept as pets and guardanimals on Kinyen, the Gran homeworld.
- Ghhhk: These creatures were native to Clak'dor VII, the Bith homeworld. The oil from their skin was often used for medical purposes.
- Ng'Ok: These were dangerous creatures with two sharp claws and a lashing tail. It was also often used as a guardanimal.

Dejarik Tournament

If you know more examples of animals used in art or in sports / entertainment, please let me know!

I hope you have enjoyed this series of the 'Complete Integration of the Animal in the 'SW'-universe'. Whether you are talking about a 'wild Bantha chase', watching Sullustan Alv paintings, decorating your helmet with the icon of a native creature or believing that a Can-cell will bring good fortune, it seems clear that the animal has succeeded its integration in the SW universe.

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