The Mandalorian is a popular Star Wars television series that premiered on Disney+ in 2019. One of the most iconic parts of the show is the distinctive armor worn by the main character, Din Djarin. Djarin, a bounty hunter, dons a suit of Beskar armor which has become synonymous with the image of the Mandalorians in Star Wars lore.
Beskar Armor
Beskar armor is made from beskar, an incredibly strong metal alloy. It is worn by Mandalorian warriors to protect themselves during battle. The armor is highly heat and blaster resistant, making it invaluable protection. In the Mandalorian, Din Djarin wears a full suit of silver Beskar armor that covers his entire body. It includes a helmet, chest plate, shoulder pads, vambraces, gloves, a kama (armored skirt), shin guards, boots, and a jetpack.
Over the course of the first season, Djarin upgrades parts of his armor to pure Beskar steel after receiving ingots of the precious metal as payment for jobs. The process of forging new Beskar armor is an important part of Mandalorian culture and is seen during the series. Slowly Djarin’s worn and dented armor is replaced with gleaming, clean Beskar pieces.
The Red Suit
During the first season finale, Djarin is gifted a new complete set of Beskar armor by his Mandalorian covert to thank him for his service. This new armor looks very similar to his original set but with some key differences. Most notably, the new armor has some red and orange coloring mixed in with the silver Beskar steel.
The shoulder pads, kneepads, and thighs of Djarin’s leg armor now have a distinctive red hue to them. There are also some red stripes on his helmet at the visor. This is the first time viewers have seen the Mandalorian wear any color other than silver and it makes his armor much more eye-catching and recognizable.
Meaning Behind the Red Armor
So why did they add red accents to the Mandalorian’s new Beskar suit? Here are some of the symbolic meanings behind the red armor:
- Shows his new status and honor – The red is a sign of the esteemed position Djarin now holds among the Mandalorians
- Marks him as a foundling – Foundlings taken in by Mandalorians often have colored armor to indicate their past
- Connection to bounty hunting – Bounty hunters sometimes paint parts of their armor red in the Star Wars universe
- Increased intimidation – The red makes Djarin look more imposing and dangerous
In an interview, director and showrunner Jon Favreau explained that the red armor is meant to give the character more visual flair and connect him back to his past as a foundling. It reinforces the Mandalorian code and history visualized through the armor.
Other Colors in Mandalorian Armor
While silver Beskar is the standard, Mandos have been known to customize their armor with other colors too:
- Blue – Honor and reliability
- Green – Duty
- Gold – Vengeance
- Orange – A lust for life
- Gray – Mourning lost loved ones
- Black – Justice
- Yellow – Remembrance of the past and rebuilding
The meanings behind Mandalorian armor colors are complex and deeply woven into their culture. The colors represent personal history, clan affiliation, purpose, and personality.
History of the Red Armor
While new for the Disney+ series, the red armor is actually rooted in older Star Wars lore. Here is a brief history:
- Red armor first appeared in the Legends canon comics and was worn by Mandalorian supercommando Spar
- Spar’s red armor was said to be made from Mandalorian Iron, an early version of Beskar
- In the Clone Wars animated series, Mandalorian Pre Vizsla wears dark red armor
- Jango and Boba Fett were both bounty hunters who had some red elements on their armor
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, creative forces behind the Mandalorian series, specifically called back to these older influences when crafting the new red armor for the show.
Details of the Armor
Let’s take a closer look at the specific parts of the red suit:
| Armor Piece | Description |
|---|---|
| Helmet | Red stripes above the visor |
| Pauldron (shoulder piece) | Red color on the right shoulder |
| Chest plate | Silver Beskar steel |
| Vambrace (forearm) | Red stripes on right vambrace |
| Gloves | Red tips on fingers |
| Kama (hip skirt) | Red edging along the bottom |
| Thigh armor | Red panels on sides of both thighs |
| Knee pads | Red discs on both knees |
| Boots | Some red markings at ankles |
You may notice the red armor is primarily on the right side of his body. This may symbolize his role as a warrior and indicate his dominant fighting hand. The red visually creates a powerful, bold look while still retaining the iconic Mandalorian aesthetic.
Armorer’s Role
The Armorer is the resident blacksmith and armor maker within the Mandalorian covert that Djarin is a part of. She forges all the Beskar armor seen during the first season of the show including Djarin’s upgraded pieces.
For his new full suit of red and silver armor, she gathered up excess Beskar to form the shoulder pads, vambraces, gloves, and other colored sections specifically for Djarin. The Armorer serves an important leadership role and clearly wanted to honor Djarin’s contributions with the red armor.
Fan Reactions
Many Star Wars fans reacted excitedly to the introduction of the red armor in the season one finale. Some key fan responses include:
- Appreciation for how bold and striking it looks compared to traditional gray Mandalorian armor
- Happiness at seeing an aspect from older lore integrated into the Disney+ series
- Speculation about the meaning of the colors and connection to bounty hunters like Boba Fett
- Awe at the skill of the Armorer in forging such detailed and symbolic armor
- Hope that the red will make future action sequences more dynamic
The armor is a creative interpretation of Star Wars history while giving the relatively new character of the Mandalorian his own distinct look. The red clearly resonated with viewers hungry for more memorable visuals from the franchise.
Future of the Red Armor
The red Beskar armor is now an integral part of the Mandalorian’s look moving forward. In season two, Djarin continues wearing the same armor keeping its red sections. Small changes are the addition of the Mudhorn signet and a cape.
Actor Pedro Pascal who plays Djarin shared that putting on the full red suit was a “transcendent moment” and felt like he was truly becoming the character. The costume department confirmed the armor was made even more durable and flexible for complex season two stunt work.
With Djarin’s story just beginning, the red armor ensures he stands out boldly in any battles or adventures to come. It connects him to the wider world of Mandalorian lore while also evolving the look for a new generation of Star Wars. Expect the striking red suit to leave a lasting mark on the franchise for years to come.
Conclusion
The red Beskar armor from the first season finale of The Mandalorian is a pivotal addition to the show’s visual style. The colored sections add deeper symbolic meaning compared to the plain silver armor worn early in the series. It marks an important character shift while honoring Mandalorian history from animation, comics, and early movies. Fans welcomed the red armor as a way to make the lead character truly iconic. With its origins explained and details fully explored, the red suit promises to be a part of The Mandalorian’s legacy for seasons to come.