We don’t yet know what “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will inspire in us. What feelings of joy it may bring. What questions about George Lucas’ universe it may raise. What awe and wonder it may stir. We’ll find out on Friday, Dec. 15.
We do know, however, that “Last Jedi” has already given us something very special and memorable. I’m talking, of course, about the Porg, those so-ugly-they’re-cute little bird things that look like a cross between a penguin and a pug.
The world has gone crazy over Porgs.
Porgs stole the “Last Jedi” trailer. Since Force Friday, they have become a merchandising machine to be reckoned with (and that’s, of course, why they were created).
They have their own hashtag, for the Force’s sake: #porgnation.
Here’s what we know about Porgs so far, according to Wookieepedia: They’re a species of coastal, cliff-dwelling birds native to the planet Ahch-To, home of the exiled Luke Skywalker.
They can apparently fly and build nests. Baby porgs are called “porglets.” How adorable is that?
Wookieepedia says Porgs were inspired by puffins that populate the Irish island Skellig Michael, used as a film location in “The Last Jedi.” They’re brought to life with computer-generated imagery and puppetry.
Now, I know not everyone loves the Porgs. Some find them annoying and not in keeping with the “Empire Strikes Back”-tone of seriousness “The Last Jedi” is aiming for.
If you’ve been reading my blog or Facebook posts for awhile, you’ll know I am not among the Porg haters. I fell for those buggy-eyed, overly-nostriled frowny faces the moment I saw them peeking at me from the shelves of the Target toy section.
Only time will tell if Porgs go the way of the Ewok and become enshrined in the venerable company of cutesy pop culture icons or become an embarrassing footnote in cinema history. (Ahem, Jar Jar Binks. Ahem.)
Until then, we celebrate them. There’s no use resisting. ‘Tis the season of the Porg!
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … The Last Jedi Porg Soup Mug with Spoon.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … a “Calm Porg” Star Wars Snowflake by Anthony Herrera Designs. (Make your own!)
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me … a Star Wars Porg Deluxe Plush with Sound and Motion to be my new bestie.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … Porg emojis to express myself (available on Twitter and from the Star Wars App).
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me … a Chewbacca Bobblehead holding a Porg, of course!
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … an angelic choir of Porgs singing the Star Wars theme.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … the merriest T-shirt of all.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … the best part of “The Last Jedi” trailer. (Yeah, I said it.)
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … two Porgies in my pocket.
On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … Porg stationary for the office. (My co-workers are jealous. I can tell.)
On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … the cutest children’s book you’ve ever seen.
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … fabulous Porg fashion from Her Universe.
No Man's Land 
Cute! 🙂