Do Mandalorians truly never remove their helmets?

Question

In episode 3 of The Mandalorian, it is said that Mandalorians never remove their helmets for any reason. Really? Not even to sleep or bathe? Is there any canonical source for this idea? I’m going to assume that the “never” implies “Never removes their helmets in public…” right?

But in flashback scenes to the Mandalorian’s childhood, nobody is really pictured wearing Mandalorian armor let alone helmets. They simply seemed like basic humans who might just be unified by wearing maroon wardrobes all the time.

So what is the deal with this claim? What is the canonical context of the claim?

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Looking for in-universe, canonical explanations; not armchair speculation and theories. If none (currently) exist, legends explanation would suffice. Regardless, please provide references and context.

Answer 1

The direct answer is Yes they do remove their helmets per previous visualizations of Mandalorians. Although in The Mandalorian they haven't doffed their helmets, nor fully explained why just yet.

It has been proven in previous shows, and even in The Mandalorian that they used to walk around without helmets on, or even armor for the most part.

In Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018), Sabine Wren is mostly seen without her helmet on, as are most of the Mandalorians in the show.

In Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) there are episodes involving the Siege of Mandalore. Although in this instance most of the Mandalorians are wearing their armor and helmets, there is a scene where Anakin is shown talking to a Mandalorian female without her helmet on. There are other scenes throughout the pretty long series depicting Manadlorians without their helmets on.

It is also assumed that Mandalorians at some point have to doff their armor and helmet in order to eat, bathe, etc. I think it is a general understanding that they only do that in the privacy of their homes and with people they trust their lives with.

Also due to the flashbacks of Din Djarin, you can conclude that wearing the armor at all times was not a custom before. I imagine we will get more information on this throughout the season.

Update: As you have probably seen in the latest episode, they DO in fact remove their helmets. Although we did not see the protagonists face, his helmet was off.

Answer 2

In episode 4, we see him take his helmet off to eat. This is after a villager asks him about removing it. It also clarifies that they do remove their helmets when nobody else is around.

OMERA: When did you last take that helmet off?

MANDALORIAN: Yesterday

OMERA: I mean in front of other people

Episode 8 furthers this when

IG11 removes the helmet to tend to Mando's injuries. Mando protests that no living thing has seen him without it since he took the oath, to which IG11 reminds him IG11 not alive.

Answer 3

Apparently Deathwatch/Children of the Watch Mandalorians follow the creed of always wearing the helmet all the time- this is referenced to in the third episode of season 2 "Chapter 11: The Heiress" where Bo-Katan Kryze, and two other mandalorians remove their helmets, much to Din Djarin's shock. Its mentioned that the Watch are religious zealots. Later on, its hinted that they follow a very traditionalist aspect of things. They do seem to be accepting later on of the other, less traditionalist mandalorians, so this is very much a tradition of that group of mandalorians, rather than a universal one. From what the Armorer says - it feels like its a reaction to the fall of mandalore and mandalorian culture.

The Deathwatch apparently ended up being destroyed due to inflighting "Death Watch exists no longer. It shattered into many warring factions" - and I suspect this is very much a reaction to that.

So some mandalorians, who follow the specific creed adopted by the Children of the watch do not remove their helmets. As per other media, other factions of Mandalorians, including pre-purge deathwatch may not. The 'unified' force that took Mandalore seems to follow whichever tradition their original faction did, whether it be the mandalorians who had survived onworld, Bo Katan's nightowls or the children of the watch

Least in the strict interpretation of the creed that the children of the watch Din follows, removal of the helmet's considered disgraceful, and requires him to redeem himself.

Interestingly - Bo Katan's told to remove her helmet by the armorer - and she's told "You walk two worlds" - and there's no disgrace there.

Since she never removes her helmet in the covert - this very much seems a tradition only of the night watch.

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I think there’s a certain amount of context. Or as Obi Wan would say: “From a certain point of view.”

The Paz Vizsla (aka: Heavy Infantry Mandalorian) is questioning the protagonist’s (Din Djarin) courage:

“Our world was shattered by the Empire with whom this coward shares tables.”

Then he tries to remove the protagonist’s helmet, which triggers the fight. Disrespect was meant and given out by that action. The helmet is clearly important and removal of it was meant to be symbolic.

“When one chooses to walk the way of the Mandalore, you are both hunter and prey.”

There’s a certain reputation to that armour, and considering the Empire apparently has them in hiding, even after they are gone, there’s obviously a certain risk to being seen as a Mandalorian.

“How can one be a coward if one chooses this way of life?”

Kinda backs it up. There’s a risk to being seen as a Mandalorian.

“Have you ever removed your helmet?”

In previous context — is almost like saying, “Have you ever denied being a Mandalorian?”

Considering Paz’s distaste for hiding this makes sense:

“Has it ever been removed by others?”

Would presumably suggest defeat.

I suspect this doesn’t mean they live in their helmets — and considering the response “This is the way…” and how that immediately stopped the fight — I suspect there was some cultural and religious implications there.

I’m also pretty sure the protagonist will lose his helmet at some point…

While I’ve yet to watch the episode in question, this recap on io9 seems to confirm that the protagonist does remove his helmet to eat:

“Mando hasn’t taken off his helmet in front of people since he was a kid, but (as many people wondered after the comments last week) he does take it off to eat if he’s alone.”

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Din Djarin does remove his helmet later on - in the episode Chapter 15: The Believer, when infiltrating an imperial remnant base. It obviously causes him pain and discomfort. He also removes it in the season finale (By choice, and much more happily). This causes him to be rejected by the Tribe/Covert, and he's told he needs to find the living waters of mandalore

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When Bo Katan's temporarily taken the creed, and she's on a hunting party to retrieve a foundling carried away by a very large bird-like creature, they camp for the night, and has to ask "How do you eat when other people are around" - and is told they just wander off and do so.

So, from a certain point of view, you don't remove your helmet in the presence of other people.

Answer 4

I’ve already accepted an answer that does a nice job of summarizing Mandalorian mythos and customs throughout the series, but episode 4 of The Mandalorian (“Sanctuary”) explains it very well in one simple scene:

After coming to a local village on the planet Sorgan, he meets the villagers — including Omera — who asks the same obvious question about the helmet and this exchange occurs:

Omera: “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

Din Djarin: “Go ahead.”

Omera: “How long has it been since you’ve taken that off?”

Din Djarin: “Yesterday.”

Omera: “I mean in front of someone else?”

Din Djarinn: (While looking at the children playing outside.) “I wasn’t much older than they are.”

Omera: “You haven’t shown your face to anyone since you were a kid?”

Din Djarin “No. I was happy that they took me in. My parents were killed and the Mandalorians took care of me.”

Omera: “I’m sorry.”

Din Djarin “This is the way.”

Omera: “Let us know if there’s anything you need.”

Din Djarin: “Thank you.”

She the leaves and we see Din Djarin sitting down at a table near a window with a plate of food; he has taken his helmet off and is watching the children play outside.

And to further clarify things, episode 8 of The Mandalorian (“ Redemption”) further explains the helmet thing in this scene with IG-11; no “living thing” can see a Mandalorian without their helmet on:

IG-11: “I need to remove your helmet if I am to save you.”

Din Djarin “Try it and I'll kill you. It is forbidden. No living thing has seen me without my helmet since I swore the Creed.”

IG-11: “I am not a living thing.”

And with that, Din Djarin removes his helmet so IG-11 can treat his wounds:

Answer 5

I don't know everything about the Mandalorians, but I can tell you that in the KOTOR 1 video game, you can meet and bring in your team one Mandalorian leader that is Canderous Ordo. He is not all the time in full armor. He is an interesting addition in the game.

But those stories happen a long time ago before the SW movies so maybe since the tradition of never removing their helmet happened.

Also, The Old Republic stories, despite having a good success (KOTOR 1 & 2 video game + Star Wars MMORPG "The Old Republic") don't seem to be "canon" (means not recognized officially by Disney who owns the licence nowadays). But I don't see how we can ignore so many years of published Star Wars content that made many Star Wars fans delight ! So I presume you can count on this helmess Mandalorian!