In the vast Star Wars universe, the lightsaber is not merely a weapon but also a symbol of the identity and destiny of the Jedi Knights. As a central figure in the sequel trilogy, Rey Skywalker's growth is closely intertwined with her choice of lightsabers, reflecting the epic narrative of the galaxy's journey from destruction to rebirth. From a scavenger girl to a Jedi heir, Rey's three lightsabers tell a story of inheritance, awakening, and innovation.
We all know that most Jedi Knights are trained from a young age. After Anakin joined the dark side, the young Jedi apprentices were wiped out. From Luke on, we can see that Jedi Knights are no longer trained solely from childhood, but anyone with talent can join the Jedi.
Under Obi-Wan's care, Luke grew up slowly. If it weren't for the guidance of fate, Luke would have remained an ordinary person, and so would Rey. How many lightsabers has Rey used? What is Rey's talent in the Force? Let's explore Rey's story together.
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How did Rey get Luke's blue lightsaber?
Blue Lightsaber: The Call of Destiny and the Weight of History
By chance, Rey met a young man named Finn. Finn was a brave bounty hunter. He had been a soldier of the First Order, but was dissatisfied with the atrocities of the First Order, so he chose to escape and join the Resistance.
Finn's appearance opened a new door for Rey, giving her hope to resist the First Order and uncover the truth about her father. To rescue her father and expose the Sith Lord's conspiracy, Rey and Finn embarked on an adventure to find Luke Skywalker. Along the way, they encountered various challenges and dangers, but also met many like-minded friends and allies.
Anakin's lightsaber later became one of the Jedi treasures in Maz Kanata's collection. When Rey and Finn followed Han Solo to a planet to meet his friend Maz, she heard someone whispering to her to enter the basement of the castle. She went in and found the blue lightsaber. When she first came into contact with the lightsaber at Maz Kanata's place, Rey sensed a dark vision on the lightsaber and refused to use Anakin's lightsaber, giving it to Finn instead.
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"This sword once belonged to you and to me. Now it has chosen you."
— Maz Kanata (The Force Awakens)
This blue lightsaber was originally crafted by Anakin Skywalker. After Obi-Wan defeated Anakin, he buried the lightsaber on Tatooine. Eventually, it was inherited by Luke Skywalker. In "The Empire Strikes Back", Luke lost the lightsaber after his arm was cut off by Darth Vader. After changing hands several times, it was finally collected by Maz Kanata and became one of the "Jedi treasures" in her basement. The appearance of Rey brought new life to this blue lightsaber.
When Maz handed Rey the lightsaber in "The Force Awakens", she called it "a weapon belonging to the Skywalker family", hinting that it was closely linked to Rey's destiny. Although the lightsaber called to her, she refused to use it and instead chose to rely on her blaster and staff.
lightsaber: Anakin SE
Rey's first use of a lightsaber
During a capture, Rey was seized by Kylo Ren. As she was in possession of BB-8 and the map to Luke Skywalker's hideout at the time, Kylo Ren took her and brought her to the Starkiller Base for interrogation. Unlike the torture endured by other characters such as Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren showed a contradictory attitude towards Rey: he used the Force to invade her consciousness in an attempt to obtain the map information, but in the process, he also revealed a certain curiosity about her and a hidden resonance.
- Force Burst: During the resistance against Kylo Ren's Force invasion, Rey awakened her Force powers and unleashed a stronger Force, counter-intruding into Kylo Ren's memories, including his lightsaber skills.
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Finn and Chewbacca's Raid: While Kylo Ren was concentrating on interrogating, Finn and Chewbacca sneaked into the Starkiller base, attempting to rescue Rey. They sabotaged the base's facilities, creating chaos and diverting the First Order's attention. Eventually, Chewbacca piloted the Millennium Falcon and brought Rey to a safe place.
Rey had just awakened her powers and was not yet proficient in using the Force. She was knocked away by Kylo Ren's Force push as he caught up. Finn, in an attempt to resist Kylo Ren's oppression, took out Anakin's blue lightsaber. Despite having never used it before, he fought with courage and determination for several rounds. When Finn was exhausted, Kylo Ren knocked him unconscious.
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Just as Kylo was about to get his grandfather Darth Vader's lightsaber, Rey successfully snatched it with her powerful Force. She engaged in a fierce lightsaber duel with Kylo Ren. Rey, who had just obtained the lightsaber for the first time, could be said to have only strength but no skill. However, in the end, she successfully defeated Kylo Ren with her tenacious willpower and unwavering pursuit of justice.
Why is Rey a Skywalker?
When Rey accepted Anakin's lightsaber, she also inherited the fate of the Skywalker family.
In "Star Wars: The Last Jedi", Rey attempts to return the lightsaber to the reclusive Luke, but Luke refuses to accept it. After that, Rey continues to use this lightsaber to fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order.
Lightsaber damage: During the climax of "The Last Jedi," Rey and Kylo Ren confront each other on Snoke's flagship. They engage in a Force battle over the control of the lightsaber. In the process of their Force struggle for the lightsaber, it is torn in two.
How did Rey fix Anakin's lightsaber?
This lightsaber was torn in two during Rey's and Kylo Ren's Force duel in "The Last Jedi", symbolizing the conflict between the light and dark sides of the Force. The broken remains of the lightsaber were kept by Rey and were later repaired in "The Rise of Skywalker".
The Symbolic and Technical Significance of the Repair
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The Preservation of the Kyber Crystal: The color of a lightsaber is determined by the Kyber crystal, and Rey used the original crystal during her repair. According to the setting, once a Kyber crystal is awakened by a Jedi, its color does not change easily, except through special processes such as the Sith "bleeding" or the Jedi "purification". Rey's repair preserved the original blue color of the crystal, continuing the lineage of Anakin and Luke Skywalker.
- Appearance adjustment: The repaired lightsaber has undergone slight modifications in its design. The hilt now features additional fabric and metal components wrapped around it, possibly to reinforce the broken area or to suit Rey's usage habits. This design can be seen in the official promotional images of "The Rise of Skywalker".
Why did Leia give her lightsaber to Rey?
In the Star Wars series, Princess Leia was a Jedi apprentice with great potential in the Force. She was once trained by Luke and held and used a lightsaber for a period of time. However, for some reason, Leia eventually gave up her Jedi training and handed her lightsaber over to Luke, asking him to keep it for her.
As the story progresses, Rey, as a descendant of the Jedi, gradually reveals her powerful potential in the Force and her natural talent for combat. After Princess Leia transforms into a Jedi spirit, she conveys the location of the lightsaber to Rey through Luke and decides to bestow it upon her. This act not only acknowledges Rey's potential in the Force but also hopes that she will inherit the spirit of the Jedi and continue to fight for peace and justice in the galaxy.
Of course, it could also be that because his own son broke Rey's lightsaber, he gave his own lightsaber to Rey.
The origin of Leia's lightsaber color
Leia's lightsaber utilized a naturally grown blue kyber crystal, which was consistent with the attributes of the crystal that Luke Skywalker initially inherited from his father, Anakin. The color of kyber crystals is typically determined by a Jedi's connection to the Force, and Leia's blue lightsaber symbolized her profound connection to the light side of the Force.
lightsaber: Leia
Design Features of the Lightsaber
Leia's lightsaber has a distinctive appearance:
- The hilt: Made of silver and copper-colored metal, it is decorated with exquisite mother-of-pearl layers and alternating lines of copper and steel. Inspired by Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber design, it also incorporates the Art Deco style of the Alderaanian royal family, showcasing elegance and regal charm.
- Blade: Thinner than Luke's lightsaber and featuring a circular blade emitter, similar to the structure of the lightsaber Luke built himself after "The Empire Strikes Back".
Princess Leia's blue lightsaber not only reflects her natural talent in the Force, but also carries the history of the Skywalker family and the inheritance of the Jedi spirit. Its unique design combines the royal aesthetic with Jedi traditions, making it one of the significant symbolic elements in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
How did Rey get the yellow Kyber crystal?
The movie doesn't explain where Rey's yellow kyber crystal came from, but yellow blades are usually found on the lightsabers of Jedi Temple Guards. Given Rey's habit of finding good stuff, it's possible that she discovered it among the remains of a Jedi Sentinel's weapon. After all, Rey's Force talent is terrifyingly strong. The lightsaber that Luke couldn't retrieve was found by Rey, even before she had her Force awakening.
Yellow Lightsaber: Rey's New Weapon
Rey combined the designs of Luke's and Leia's lightsabers to create a yellow lightsaber. This new lightsaber of Rey not only represents the inheritance and growth of the Jedi, but also symbolizes her unwavering belief in and relentless pursuit of the light side.
lightsaber: Dark Rey SE
Why did Rey bury Luke and Leia's lightsabers?
At the end of the movie, Rey buried Luke's lightsaber and Leia's lightsaber on Tatooine. The meaning behind this is:
- Saying Goodbye to the Past: Luke and Leia's lightsabers were symbols of their roles as Jedi Knights and leaders of the Resistance, witnessing countless battles and sacrifices. Rey's burial of these two lightsabers might signify her making a formal farewell to the past battles and conflicts, preparing to embrace a new era of peace.
- Inheritance and Rebirth: While burying her old lightsaber, Rey also took out a brand-new yellow one. This lightsaber not only represents Rey's personal growth and transformation but also symbolizes the rebirth of the Jedi Order. By burying the old lightsaber, Rey expressed her respect for the past Jedi Order while also announcing a new beginning.
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Why bury the lightsabers on Tatooine like Obi-Wan did?
Perhaps it was a way to honor Obi-Wan by burying them in the home planet of the Skywalkers.
Rey's burial of Luke and Leia's lightsabers was a symbolic act, representing a farewell to the past and a sign of legacy and rebirth. This act not only deepened Rey's image as a Jedi Knight but also brought a perfect conclusion to the entire Star Wars series.
