In the resource-rich Star Wars galaxy, Jedi with lightsabers have the legendary power to change the galaxy. Different blade colours guide Jedi to different destinies, and choosing the right colour for your lightsaber isn't just an aesthetic choice - it's also a guide to your own destiny.
Whether you prefer light, dark, or some shade in between, picking the right hue can truly make your lightsaber stand out and show your personality. Let's uncover the secrets behind their colorful diversity together.
What determines the color of a lightsaber, the crystal or the choice of the Jedi?
Kyber crystals are rare gems capable of focusing and amplifying energy. In the film, they are usually used as the core cohesive material for the lightsaber blades, enabling every Jedi to have a lightsaber of their own.
Through the game (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order), we can roughly understand the specific process of making a lightsaber. It can be said to be very simple (collect enough materials, a couple of clicks, and it's welded by electric welding). Special materials from Star Wars have not been discovered on Earth in reality, which has hindered our progress in making real lightsabers. However, simulation lightsabers can also bring us a very realistic fighting thrill.
Image from: star wars.com
In 2014, it was reported that a Star Wars fan had made a replica lightsaber capable of cutting through metal of a certain thickness. This excited other Star Wars fans, who believed that the real lightsaber was just around the corner. I agree. However, as the most powerful close-combat weapon without equal, the first place where a lightsaber would appear would be in a laboratory or in battle.
The above is a comparison between the Kyber crystal undergoing color transformation and the original one. According to records, the colors of the crystals often used by Jedi Knights are green and blue, and the color of the Kyber crystal determines the final color of the blade. Jedi Knights can change the color of the Kyber crystal through their beliefs and the Force. Every Jedi has strong beliefs and very few can change the colour of their blade.
As far as I know, the following few are examples of people who have changed the colour of their blade by changing the colour of the Kyber crystal themselves:
- The first one is that Ahsoka Tano purified the red crystal of a lightsaber into white through the Force.
- The second one is that the Sith, through a ritual, injected dark emotions to make the crystal "bleed" and turn red.
The 8 Most Common Lightsaber Colors and Their Meanings
Green lightsaber
Green Lightsabers are usually associated with Jedi who focus on the Force being in harmony with nature. When we think of the colour green, we tend to first think of nature filled with greenery, so green lightsabers are often associated with peace and balance.
Observation reveals that Jedi Knights who wield green lightsabers are usually wise and thoughtful individuals. Notable users include Luke Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Master Yoda.
- Luke's first lightsaber was damaged in the heat of battle with Darth Vader; it was a blue lightsaber. Afterwards, with a clue left by Ben Kenobi (Obi-Wan), he hand-assembled a new green lightsaber by purchasing the necessary parts at Mos Eisley. This green lightsaber not only symbolises Luke's new life, but also emphasises his deep connection with nature.
- In Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan, as envoys, came to the Trade Federation ship to resolve the dispute between Queen Amidala of Naboo and the Trade Federation. Qui-Gon Jinn, through the Force, sensed the threat and discovered the Trade Federation's conspiracy, demonstrating his prudence and wisdom. On Tatooine, Qui-Gon Jinn, with his wisdom and guidance of the Force, successfully helped Anakin escape his status as a slave.
- Yoda has always been depicted as a wise man, with a calm, thoughtful and sagacious demeanor. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, he often guided the Jedi, helping Obi-Wan find the bounty hunter Jango Fett.
Image from: star wars.com
Blue lightsaber
The blue lightsaber is the most common color and is often associated with the Jedi Knights. Its opposite is the dark, red lightsaber. The blue lightsaber symbolizes justice, bravery, courage and protection. Jedi Knights who use blue lightsabers are usually loyal to the Jedi Order and strive to defend the truth. They believe in peace, order, knowledge and serving others.
Notable characters who use blue lightsabers include Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Luke Skywalker. In the prequel films, both Anakin and Obi-Wan used blue lightsabers as Jedi.
After Anakin was compelled to join the Dark Side by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan received a mission from the Council of Elders - to destroy Anakin. Obi-Wan sneaks aboard a Padme ship to find Anakin, following the guidance of the Force, and eventually destroys Anakin in a heated encounter (and is eventually saved by Sith Lord Darth Sidious) and takes his blue lightsaber.
Years later, Obi-Wan gave this blue lightsaber to Luke Skywalker as a symbol and tool of his Jedi training. Luke used the lightsaber in his subsequent adventures until it was cut off and dropped, along with Luke's right hand, during a duel with Anakin, who had become Darth Vader's father, at Cloud City on Bespin.
I don't know if it was necessary for the plot, but Anakin's hand was cut off by the Count's red lightsaber during the clones' attack, and Darth Vader used a red lightsaber to cut off Luke's hand as well, as if to imply something.
- Anakin wanted to protect his wife, but his amplified fear turned him into the apprentice of the Sith Lord (in the movie "Revenge of the Sith").
- Luke fought with Darth Vader to rescue Han Solo and Princess Leia and lost his hand (in the movie "The Empire Strikes Back").
- Obi-Wan worked and lived with ordinary people to protect Luke's growth, making silent contributions (in the TV series "Obi-Wan").
Yellow lightsaber
In the extended universe of Star Wars, the yellow lightsaber is defined as the signature weapon of the ancient Jedi Guardians. These Jedi Knights were highly combat-effective and exceeded expectations in non-traditional Jedi fields such as covert operations, caution, and assessment. The yellow lightsaber is regarded as a symbol of the Guardians' pragmatism and their comprehensive application of the Force.
The Jedi Temple Guards are responsible for protecting the Jedi Temple and the archives of the Jedi Order. Their yellow lightsabers symbolize balance, wit, and a commitment to justice. They have the authority to act independently. In times of crisis, they are willing to selflessly sacrifice themselves to save others.
- Asajj Ventress was once a Sith apprentice. She went through a bumpy journey from the dark side to finding herself. In the "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series, she was always depicted as holding a unique yellow lightsaber. After leaving the Sith, Ventress discovered an untapped sense of reason and humanity, which prompted her to obtain this yellow lightsaber. This sword symbolizes her inner struggle and journey of redemption.
- Rey is a resourceful and fearless female character in the sequel trilogy. Attracted by the legacy of the Jedi Knights, she is eager to restore trust in the universe. In the climactic ending of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker", Rey ignites her yellow lightsaber. This earth-shattering event marks her journey as a true Jedi Knight, forging her own path under the guidance of those legendary figures around her. The yellow lightsaber, with its unique hue, symbolizes Rey's special connection with "the Force" and her determination to uphold the faith of the Jedi Order.
Red lightsaber
Among all the colors of lightsabers, the red lightsaber represents the Sith and the dark side. Many Sith and Sith apprentices are shown with a red lightsaber from the very beginning, without revealing how they obtained it.
Once Jedi Knights, then turned to the dark side:
- Count Dooku: Count Dooku was originally a respected Jedi Master and dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the galaxy. However, over time, he discovered corruption and inefficiency within the Galactic Republic and found that he was unable to change the decisions of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Council on his own. The Sith Lord also discovered his thoughts, showed him the power of the dark side, and promised him greater strength and power. Eventually, Count Dooku accepted the Sith Lord's offer and joined the dark side.
- Anakin: Anakin was originally a member of the Jedi Order and was hailed as the "Chosen One," destined to bring balance to the Force. However, driven by fear of his wife's death and seduced by Palpatine, Anakin gradually turned to the dark side and betrayed the Jedi. In "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith," he received a red lightsaber, symbolizing his full embrace of the dark side.
- Kylo Ren: The son of the leader of the Resistance, due to his busy parents, he lacked their care. Under the influence of Snoke, he joined the dark side and became the leader of the First Order, participating in the conflict against the Resistance. Through a Sith ritual, he turned the Kiber crystal red and crafted a crossguard lightsaber.
Red lightsabers are associated with the Sith, who are dedicated to disrupting the balance of the galaxy. They have been constantly expanding their influence, infiltrating and undermining the balanced order of the Galactic Republic, and are in an adversarial relationship with the light side Jedi.
Orange lightsaber
Regarding the orange lightsaber, there is a well-known game called "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order". In the game, Cal Kestis used an orange lightsaber. He was passionate about exploration and adventure and had unparalleled courage. In terms of crafting lightsabers, he had his own unique skills and techniques, full of creativity.
Those who have used orange lightsabers:
- In the comic series "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: War" (2012), the Mandalorian Knight wielded an orange lightsaber.
- Tulak Hord: Known as the Lord of Hatred, this Sith Dark Lord once ruled the Sith Empire. He was not only proficient in Sith alchemy but also possessed powerful dark side Force abilities and lightsaber combat skills. He used an orange lightsaber.
- Shin Harde: In the "Star Wars" spin-off series "Ahsoka," Shin Harde, a dark Jedi apprentice, wielded a unique orange lightsaber.
- Byron Skorr: In the "Star Wars" series, Byron Skorr was also depicted as a character who used an orange lightsaber.
- In the "Star Wars" canon novel "Master & Apprentice," Obi-Wan Kenobi became the first canon character to use an orange lightsaber.
In the Star Wars Expanded Universe, both Sith and Dark Side Jedi occasionally wield orange lightsabers. Orange lightsabers are like a color in the gray area of the Star Wars factions, usable by either side.
Purple lightsaber
In the filming of "Star Wars", Mace Windu, the user of the purple lightsaber, made a request to George Lucas before the shooting, asking if he could change the color of his lightsaber to his favorite purple. Lucas agreed. Since then, the purple color of Mace Windu's lightsaber has been endowed with a special meaning. It represents a unique spirit, a spirit that is not bound by the rigid rules of the Jedi Order but still remains loyal to the goodness and values that the Jedi represents.
The fact that his lightsaber is purple instead of the typical blue or green indicates that he acknowledges the darker side of his personality, which many Jedi, such as Anakin Skywalker and Yoda, choose to suppress.
Mace Windu, the wielder of the purple lightsaber, was an extremely powerful Jedi. In "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith", he was a figure capable of going head-to-head with the sinister Emperor Palpatine. Had it not been for Anakin's appearance, the Star Wars saga would not have had such a thrilling continuation.
Users of purple lightsabers:
- Nesterla Ruwo: At the age of 15, she became a Jedi Knight in "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords". She modified her purple lightsaber based on a design she saw in a dream. This lightsaber can switch between lightsaber and lightwhip modes.
- Jaden: He made a purple lightsaber on his own without any guidance and was later introduced to the Jedi Academy. After joining the Jedi Order, Jaden made a green lightsaber, which he later gave to his apprentice. He then purified another lightsaber and made a yellow one (in the 2003 game "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords").
- Ty Yorik: Her uniqueness lies in her exploration of the dark side of the Force, which allowed her to achieve success in a unique career. Her purple lightsaber symbolizes her determination to purify dark creatures.
The symbolic significance of Mace Windu's purple lightsaber is deeply ingrained in the Star Wars lore, and its importance was only recently explored in the High Republic era.
White lightsaber
White symbolizes purification and rebirth. The white lightsaber is one of the rarest colors of lightsaber in Star Wars. Ahsoka, with her powerful mental strength, opened her heart completely and embraced the light side, allowing its energy to flow into the crystal. In the moment of becoming one with the Force, she accomplished a feat that only a few could achieve - purifying the contaminated red crystal and restoring the kyber crystal to its natural, pure and dazzling white.
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Ahsoka is the only being capable of purifying the red crystal.
Black lightsaber
In the history of Star Wars, there is only one that was made in a single piece - the black lightsaber (dark saber). The manufacturing process of the dark saber has been lost, and its production might have involved highly complex techniques and the use of the Force. Besides, no second black crystal from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant has ever been found. It is unlikely that the Mandalorian (Din Jarrin) could create a new black lightsaber.
The black lightsaber is a unique weapon associated with the Mandalorians and the Sith. It symbolizes power, authority, aggression, and inheritance. It is said that without meeting the conditions, it is extremely difficult for a user to wield it. In works such as "The Mandalorian", the dark saber has demonstrated its ability to heat up and even melt certain high-strength metals (such as beskar alloy), making it the object of desire for many who seek power.
Unique insights into lightsaber colours
Many people believe that green lightsabers are used by Jedi Masters, just as blue ones are used by apprentices. Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Master, used a green lightsaber, and so did Yoda. However, this is not the case. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Obi-Wan was looking for a planet that didn't exist because he couldn't find it in the planet archives. Then he went to the Jedi Council and found Master Yoda. In the scene, the children in the Jedi training period had training lightsabers in both blue and green, so this statement is not valid.
If I'm not mistaken, before a Jedi Padawan has their own lightsaber, there is a ritual (which is very much in line with the long-standing traditions of the Jedi Knights) included in the Jedi training program. They will travel to a planet where kyber crystals exist and, in the crystal caves where kyber crystals are produced, obtain a kyber crystal. Whether it's a Jedi Master or a Jedi Padawan, they all find their own kyber crystal through the guidance of the Force.
One of the criteria for finding a Kyber crystal is the individual's own Force affinity. Everyone has the same type of Force affinity. A blue crystal indicates a larger proportion of blue affinity. Under normal circumstances, after choosing a blue crystal, the color of the lightsaber blade will be fixed as blue. Just like Obi-Wan was able to use his master's green lightsaber, the color of the lightsaber was not affected.
When you have a lightsaber with changeable colours, you can make a little game. When the colour of the lightsaber can be switched by clicking a button, close your eyes and click the button as many times as you like, repeatable three times, to choose the one you like best from the three colours.
